Modeling Good Service

Sonia Peterson’s recent move to a supervisory position at the California State Department of Rehabilitation offers her a chance to make a difference in more people’s lives.

Peterson (MA ’97) said in her previous post as a rehabilitation counselor to the blind, her average caseload was 80 clients. Since August 2005, she has overseen six counselors in the department’s San Francisco office and helped them arrange services for as many as 120 clients each.

“I feel like I’m making a positive impact on people’s lives,” she said. “I help counselors use the regulations to get clients the services they need.”

The Department of Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities, from cerebral palsy to hearing disabilities, mental health and substance abuse issues, or HIV, remain a vital part of the workforce.

“Sometimes people just need assistive technology or some kind of accommodation,” she said. “Other times people need to go into a whole different career.”

Peterson said her counselors coordinate client interview clothes, and help them with job training and placement.

The Department of Rehabilitation works with several partner agencies to provide services. Peterson, who serves as a department liaison to nearly a dozen agencies, said it’s exciting to work in rehabilitation counseling in

California, and especially in San Francisco.
“California is really disability friendly—the disability rights movement began in the Bay Area,” she said.

Peterson, who grew up in South Dakota, said one of her strengths as a leader is that she sees herself as an advocate for the clients and counselors, rather than as a bureaucrat.

“I don’t think people who are total bureaucrats, who like to make people wait and say no, would do very well here,” she said. “Clients are proactive and there are many advocacy agencies.
I really try to help people.”

John Grote (MA ’94), who also graduated from Iowa’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program and now works as a rehabilitation counselor for the blind in San Francisco, said Peterson is very good at what she does. When asked for a word to describe the attitude she brings to her work, Grote came up with two: confidence and competence.

“She believes in what she’s doing,” Grote said. “She’s the type of person that’s not going to do anything without giving it her best.”

Peterson’s supervisor, District Administrator Darlene Rutkowski, agrees.

“Sonia brings outstanding work habits and relationships with people, and a positive attitude,” Rutkowski said. “Her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and seven years as a rehabilitation counselor hanlding various caseloads is an asset to the San Francisco district.”

Peterson said she “stumbled into” a career in rehabilitation counseling. After earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology, she then earned a certificate from the Boulder School of Massage Therapy in Colorado and started work as a massage therapist.

“I found myself working with people who had been in car accidents, people with chronic pain, and people with other significant physical and emotional issues,” she said.

She said working with those massage clients helped her realize how prevalent disability is and made her want to help.

“My philosophy is that we all have limitations on some level—most of us use cars to travel rather than walk, consult with teachers or other experts about concepts we don’t understand, use gadgets like calculators and computers to assist us with organizing and performing tasks,” Peterson said. “Unfortunately, some people have mental or physical limitations or impairments that significantly impact their ability to perform the functions of daily living, including working.”

Peterson, who is Jean Peterson’s daugher (see story on opposite page) said she’s proud of her work helping people with disabilities remain active and successful in their occupations.

“I believe we’re all here to help each other out,” she said.
–by Heather Spangler