Meet Carolyn Bernett: Saying Goodbye to a Long-Time Team Member
Carolyn Bernett, Search’s Senior Program Manager at our Mount Prospect site, is retiring from Search on Friday, September 3rd. With over 35 years of service at Search, Carolyn has made a tremendous impact on the individuals we serve and her co-workers.
Carolyn began her career at Search as a Coordinator and Montessori Instructor back when Search was a school for children who had been locked out of the public school system because they had developmental disabilities. She went on to work in our Adult Learning program, where she was a Program Manager. For the last 6 years she has been a Senior Manager at our Mt. Prospect Adult Learning site.
With a mix of excitement and sadness, Carolyn is excited to move onto this next chapter in her life with her family and pursue some of her favorite hobbies with her husband, Terry. She enjoys gardening, traveling, swimming and golfing. She really looks forward to visiting her son, Ryan, who used to work at Search, and her first grandchild, Maeve.
Our team sat down with Carolyn to hear more about her incredible journey with Search.
Q: Describe your history at Search. How long have you been on the team, what positions have you held?
A: Over the years I have worked at several sites, but I have always worked in the Adult Learning Program that provides day services. I started working at Search Inc. as a Coordinator for day services and Montessori Instructor before moving to Program Manager. For the last 6 years I have been Senior Program Manager at Search’s Mount Prospect site.
Q: What were the biggest changes you have witnessed in your time here?
A: There have been countless changes over the years, as you can imagine. The expansion of services and enrollment have increased a great deal. When I joined Search we were providing services to children. As Coordinator and Montessori Instructor, I wore many hats and was responsible for intake, training new staff, and setting up classrooms. At this time, we were providing services in rental spaces, like church basements, that weren’t accessible.
In the early to mid-90s, we transitioned to adult services. Since then Search has built its infrastructure to include multiple departments, including Human Resources, Training Department, Employment Services, and Clinical Services, that allowed for an expansion of services, and built beautiful accessible spaces that meet the needs of the individuals we serve.
Another big change is the delivery of service. Search has always believed in person-centered supports, but in years past, the state dictated what services needed to be offered. We have come full circle, as the state now recognizes the importance and benefits of person-centered planning.
Q: What were the biggest accomplishments you and Search has made?
A: I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Search team. Together we’ve accomplished so much.
Thirty five years ago we opened our facilities to people who had been housed in state institutions; people who had never been integrated into the community or had the opportunity to attend a day program off-site. We provided the supports these individuals needed to adjust to a new way of living; we expanded our on-site services, including clinical services; and we went from providing only day services to supporting 30 community integrated living arrangements (CILAs).
Together we have been able to stay mission focused and along the way find the fun and joy in our work.
Q: What were the biggest challenges you and Search have had to face?
A: One of the challenges that comes to mind is when we expanded our services to people living in state institutions. When these individuals came to Search, we did not understand their needs immediately. It took time to figure out what support each person needed.
These individuals had little to no exposure to life outside of the walls of the institutions. For example, some had never seen stairs or sat in a chair! Search was tasked with teaching them a lot of basic daily life skills, such as eating, washing, or sitting in a chair.
Additionally, funding programs like Search has always been a challenge and remains one today. This includes paying our direct support workers (DSPs) the wage they deserve.
Also, who can forget the pandemic of 2020!? It created a lot of logistics and safety issues, but this is when Search employees really stepped up and navigated these uncertain times.
Everyone put themselves at risk to support the people we serve. Staff dealt with constantly-changing situations, policies, and procedures and took on roles and assignments outside of job descriptions; some staff moved into CILAs for weeks at a time to support the individuals we support; others became the connection from the outside world to the CILAs and did weekly shopping and mail and medical deliveries.
Q: What are you most proud of regarding your work at Search?
A: I’m proud that Search and staff have always stayed focused and committed to their mission, and along the way, find the fun and joy in our work.
It brings me joy to see our staff’s dedication to their work and the people we serve. I’ve seen staff rally together for a common cause whether it involves the people we serve or a co-worker.
I feel very fortunate to be part of the Search team.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I think what I’ll miss the most is the connection that people here have with one another - both staff and individuals - and being a part of that. I love to see how we come together to make things happen for the better of the people we serve and program at large.
Q: What advice can you share with the colleagues you are leaving behind?
A: Our work can be challenging but it is very rewarding. Remember to take time to also care for yourselves and to ask for help when you need it.
To celebrate Carolyn’s retirement, her fellow members of the Search team shared a few parting thoughts.
Shawn Kirby, Physical Plant Manager
“Carolyn of the first people I met here at Search; she taught me the Search ropes. She is grace on fire, always rising to the occasion as an accountable teammate. Carolyn is funny, strong, and is someone that you want at your side. She always finds an opportunity to laugh, which creates a great peer relationship and work environment.
One of my favorite memories with Carolyn is taking a photo together at the Search Christmas party each year for 23 years. She’s a good friend and will be greatly missed.”
Melanie Ausbrook, ALP Program Manager
“Carolyn Bernett hired me nearly 10 years ago as a DSP at the Waukegan site. From the moment we began working together, I knew that she was someone that I wanted to emulate. Her ability to clearly communicate among varied communication styles, her belief in the abilities of the staff she oversees, and the fact that she places the individuals we serve first have always been at the forefront.
On the program floor, she has the ability to pinpoint the one or two areas of improvement that seem to make the whole thing click. Those corrections were always offered as part of a larger conversation and she somehow made them seem like they were your idea! Carolyn has always encouraged the front line staff to bring their own personalities to their work and encouraged creative suggestions. I can only hope to be half as effective and impactful as Carolyn has been in transforming the lives of the individuals that we serve while supporting our amazing frontline staff.”
Sharon Ike, Transportation Coordinator
“What can I say we have worked together for a long time? We are Old School as they say. We have had some good times, and some not good times, agreed sometimes and disagreed sometimes even went home mad at each other a few times when it came to work. However we always came back and made it work. I have learned a lot from you over the years and I must admit I always wished I had your calmness to handle any situation. I will miss you Donavan!!!! And I THANK YOU for our friendship over the years and all the long talks we have had starting in Susie’s office when we moved to Northbrook years ago. One thing I will always love and remember is those LONG talks with Susie, yourself and I. Wow some powerful talks. I pray you have the best retirement and do everything you want for years and years to come. Love and Happiness Always.”
Cory Gumm, Search Inc. CEO
“Carolyn leaves a legacy at Search of kindness, compassion and a welcoming smile. Her contributions at Search over the last many years are immense and she will be greatly missed. Best wishes in her well-deserved retirement!”
Carolyn, on behalf of the entire Search team, we wish you well! You will be deeply missed.