Our Support Broker Services

In NJ, brokering is generally focused on three primary areas:  hiring and maintaining SDEs (Self-Directed Employees), housing acquisition (typically involving some form of housing financial assistance), and community building by way of community mapping.

Hiring and Maintaining SDEs:  This is a complex process that, depending on the needs of the person doing the hiring, can involve many facets of employment:  learning how to interview candidates, navigating the fiscal intermediary, setting up expectations/job descriptions, and managing hired SDEs.  The goal of Tandem's supports would be to promote autonomy as a supervisor as well as assisting the person to be the kind of supervisor any SDE would hope to have as a supervisor.  

Housing:  Tandem brokers are not real estate experts, nor do we have any special connections to the NJ real estate market.  What we do have is experience assisting individuals to become capable and confident leaseholders.  We assist individuals to sort out what makes a desirable living situation for them, to learn about rental opportunities, the best way to explore them, and to navigate the process of acquiring a place to live.  Depending on the person's current situation, we may be minimally involved or very involved in helping the person to navigate NJ's rental markets.       

Community Mapping/Building:  At the heart of our work is an emphasis on community and connection.  The best SDEs and the nicest places to live mean nothing if the person is lonely.  Through learning about the person and their desired level of connection to others and to their communities, brokers assist individuals to figure out how to make connections and find their purpose in their communities.  This is a highly customized service and can involve anything from community exploration to see what is available and accessible to acting as a connector to new places and experiences.  

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