Doris Enberg is one of the founding Governing Board members of the In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) Public Authority of Marin and has a huge commitment to its mission. She also has a very rich and well-rounded personal life. Her many interests and activities include enjoying her lovely back yard, taking long walks on the beach in her scooter with her dog Brandy, reading and helping the community. Whatever she does in life, Doris is an example of someone who enjoys life despite some of her struggles.
Doris was
raised in a small town in Minnesota where her family still lives. As a child, she had polio, and learned to be
physically mobile and even active despite some of her physical challenges. After the four children she raised went to
school, she started work at a high school. Later, she got her Associate of Science Degree in Behavioral Sciences
from the College of Marin.
After
completing her AB, she developed “post” Polio symptoms which included weakness
in the bones and the rest of her body. She became very ill and was hospitalized. Her symptoms continued to escalate. On the advice of a good friend with a daughter with disabilities,
she sought and got in-home supportive services.
Within a year of receiving supportive services, she was invited to join and was accepted as a founding member of the Governing Board of the IHSS Public Authority of Marin.
As a Board
member, Doris serves on the Labor Management Committee and Registry Committee,
and been an untiring advocate of IHSS consumers (recipients) and providers
(caregivers). As a member of the Labor Management Committee, she really values
being able to get involved in advocating for increased provider wages, health
care insurance “slots,” and training. She also appreciates helping to identify new and better ways to recruit
people to become part of the Registry.
When asked what she likes most about the Public Authority, she says, “It’s something that is really new and on the cutting edge so to speak. Many states are not where we are. It feels like we are inventing this wonderful new program.” Of her role on Board, she says, “I have gotten a lot out of being on this board. It has enriched my life.”