Meet Kelly Hatfield

We recently connected with Kelly Hatfield and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I would say that I found my purpose by always listening to my intuition and pivoting when something didn’t feel right. My amazing mom was a special education teacher and I know she had a profound impact on me. Even as a child, I’d be drawn to those that needed help. Most of my life I wanted to be a teacher, but somewhere along the way, I developed a passion for acting and singing and pivoted to performing arts in high school and college. I pivoted back to working with kids that struggled in school and became a special education teacher in 1999. Teachers are performers, right? I was able to use my performing background in my work with my students with disabilities. One example is that I discovered that scripts are a fantastic way to work on reading with fluency and expression. I loved working with students with disabilities. I loved tapping into my creativity to discover how I could inspire them to successfully learn. I “retired” from teaching when my daughter started kindergarten and it was clear that something was going on with her. She was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and dyslexia and I was able to spend some time focusing on getting her what she needed to be successful. I also have a son with ADHD and sensory processing disorder. Both of my kids have disabilities and they both are amazing, creative people. When I was ready to return to work, I heard about Undivided. It sounded like an incredible company and I knew I wanted to be part of it. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I love that I’m able to use both my professional and personal backgrounds to support families that have children with disabilities. Many of us that work with Undivided have kids with disabilities. It’s an incredibly supportive community and the work is rewarding. While I do what I can to help and support my clients, I also learn a lot from them. They are incredible people! I’m also grateful to get to work with a stellar Navigator Team. I learn a lot from them as well.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Undivided is definitely a unique company! The way I explain Undivided to people is this: We help families that have kids with disabilities navigate the various and confusing systems to help ensure they are maximizing their child’s benefits and potential. We provide resources and support to empower the families we work with. As a Navigator, I have a book of clients that I meet with once a month. They also have unlimited messaging with me in their Undivided accounts. Navigators are not expected to know everything (that would be impossible). We have a whole team of experts to back us up. We have a phenomenal Content Team that creates articles and goals with step-by-step directions on how to successfully navigate all of the confusing systems. They also produce our weekly newsletter and social media content. If a client needs more specialized support, we have an entire Add-on Services Team that includes Educational Advocates, Public a Benefits Specialist, a Health Plan Advocate, a Homeschool Specialist, a Transition to Adulthood Advocate, and Research Team that can create customized research reports. Every client also has an Undivided account, created by our fantastic Product Team. I love my account because I can keep all of my kids’ paperwork in the app where it is easy to access when needed. The account is where clients can find their Roadmap with goals and step-by-step instructions on how to complete the goals. Right now we support families that have kids aged 18 and under in California, but we want to expand so that we can support adults and families in other states.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Ability to connect with people
2. Curiosity/desire to learn
3. Kindness/desire to help

And on a broader level, my education in special education and theatre as well as my own experience as a parent to two kids with disabilities have come together beautifully in my Navigator work.

If someone is interested in working with the disability population, my advice would be to talk to disabled people and listen to their experiences and stories. Have an open mind and understand that everyone’s path is different and those differences, that diversity, are beautiful.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is a parent that has a child with a disability. This client’s child may have received a new diagnosis and they’re feeling scared (and angry) and they don’t know what to do. I can help them. Another ideal client is a veteran parent that simply wants someone to connect with that understands what it’s like to have a child with a disability. Since I have a lot of experience in the school systems, I especially love helping clients with school issues. But I love helping all families that have kids with disabilities. If anyone is interested in a free ten day kickstart, they can get started with this link: https://app.undivided.io/join. Undivided’s website is https://undivided.io/

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