Children’s Respite Care Center (CRCC) www.crccomaha.org, provides specialized and integrated nursing care, behavioral health treatment and developmental therapies to children with complex medical needs, developmental disabilities and/or behavioral challenges.  Children and their families can also receive counseling services, physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapies through the outpatient programs at the Children’s Therapy Center.  Linda Shadoin is the Director of Operations for CRCC.

How did you get started in the business? – Since I was a young child, my mother instilled in me the importance of caring for others who are in need.  After earning my Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Washington, I returned to the Midwest to work with at-risk children and families.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Securing adequate and consistent funding for the unique services CRCC provides.  The challenges of raising awareness, building new partnerships and operating with financial prudence is both invigorating and exhausting.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I’ve had many proud moments, including starting up a behavioral health program, authoring two books, and helping to design CRCC’s centers.  However, I am most proud of being able to be active in my children’s lives while having a full-time career.  Being a working mom is challenging, so anything I have accomplished since having my children is worth celebrating.

Tell us a little about your family. – I have been married for 18 years to my husband Brad who has supported my need to constantly be on the go.  We have two great kids, Carter and Gillian, who are in grade school and involved in many other activities.  Our children keep us laughing.  We also have two Yorkies and one bearded dragon, whom I am often reminded are also members of our family.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – One of my favorite things to do is to go on adventures with my family which usually involves some hiking and photography.  I will find anything to do to avoid housework!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – This might sound odd, but I love to listen to performance literature such as poetry readings and storytelling.  I was active in college forensics and drama and this has carried over as a love of understanding the author’s voice in literature.  “The Moth” podcast is an awesome storytelling program I listen to frequently.

What are you the most proud of? – Besides my awesome family, choosing the profession of social work that allows me to serve people in meaningful ways.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Don’t forget to laugh.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To heal, and then soon I would be out of a job and that would be just fine with me!

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Make people laugh more often.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Movie critic.  I could watch movies all day and get paid to share my opinion.  Sweet.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – One of my favorite books to read and perform is “The Monster At the End of This Book: Starring Loveable, Furry Old Grover.”

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Rivera’s, Thai Kitchen, Hector’s.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – I can be reached at lshadoin@crccomaha.org, (402) 895-4000 or on the Children’s Respite Care Center (CRCC) website , www.crccomaha.org.