DeVonne 'Bon' Sablan, CBRS-CM
- DeVonne 'Bon' Sablan, CBRS-CM
- Sep 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 24
"I believe no person should be defined by the storms they have weathered, the barriers they face, or the challenges they carry. Every individual has roots, strengths, and the ability to grow when provided with understanding, support, and opportunity."
DeVonne 'Bon' Sablan, CBRS-CM
Community-Based Rehabilitation Specialist
Case Manager
Clinical Focus
Independent Living Skills Development
Community Integration and Resource Connection
Client Focus
Individuals with Disabilities
Individuals Requiring Adaptive Support
Clinical Approach
Strengths-Based
Goal-Directed and Collaborative Intervention
Solution-Focused
Hands-On, Real-World Problem Solving
Memberships
Phi Theta Kappa
Education
Boise State University, Master of Social Work (MSW) - In Progress
Northern Marianas College, Bachelor of Science in Education: Rehabilitation and Human Services (BS)
Professional Summary
DeVonne 'Bon' Sablan, CBRS-CM, centers her work on independent living skills development and community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities. Driven by the opportunity to make a tangible impact in daily lives, Bon focuses on practical support that builds on each client's inherent strengths. Utilizing a collaborative, strengths-based, and solution-focused approach, she helps clients navigate real-world problem-solving to live as safely and independently as they choose within their communities. In her practice, Bon intentionally provides a space for clients to share what is important to them, centering their voices during treatment planning and acting as a collaborator to help them achieve the unique goals they have set for themselves.
About Bon
Outside of her work as a full-time Master of Social Work student at Boise State University, Bon’s weekends begin with a fresh skincare routine, coffee, and breakfast at home. She balances her social welfare studies with quality time connecting with family, taking a well-deserved nap, and getting outside to enjoy the Idaho landscape. You can often find her playing in women's softball leagues, fishing, or taking short road trips. Her favorite local retreat is Lake Cascade, where she admires the surrounding mountains, tall pine trees, and the peaceful sound of nature’s calm. Bon is also passionate about cooking and baking traditional cultural dishes. Through all her pursuits, her ultimate goal is simply to be a reliable source of encouragement, support, and empowerment for everyone she crosses paths with.
🎧 The Soundtrack
Maoli, Wavvy, Olivia Dean, Ella Langley (country, reggae, R&B)
📖 On The Bookshelf
The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy
🍽️ Tasty Indulgence
Typical Micronesian plate: Red rice, BBQ ribs, chicken kelaguen, cucumber noodle coco, roasted pork, salad. For dessert: Huckleberry ice cream!
🎄 Top Holiday
Christmas for the opportunity to bring Baby Jesus to homes in various villages on the island (and cities in the US mainland), share family meals, and sing/dance with ukuleles, guitars, keyboards.
🍁 Favorite Season
Fall for the earth-toned colors, the happy medium weather between hot and cold, and all things pumpkin-flavored!
🏖️ Best Trip
Summer of 2022 traveling from her homeland of Saipan to three different states to visit family. Next best trip: Traveling back home to visit family, set foot on the beach again, enjoy island food, and soak in the beauty and culture of the Pacific.
📝 Words To Live By
“Faith: Believe in the things you can’t yet see.”
Early Life
Bon was born and raised on Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—a 12-mile-long island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Growing up on her family farm in the northern mountains, she learned to value the land and sea for the life they provide. Her childhood was steeped in the laid-back, community-centered island vibe, blending Chamorro, Carolinian, Filipino, Japanese, and American influences. She spent her early years learning to plant and harvest crops, hunt, raise livestock, and gather from the ocean. Her family instilled deep traditional practices, from weaving and oral storytelling to respecting elders and sharing the harvest with neighbors. This upbringing firmly rooted Bon in the core values of compassion, generosity, and looking out for one another. In 2020, with no prior experience, she began an internship at the CNMI’s only independent living center for adults with developmental disabilities. The deeply rewarding nature of that work inspired her to pursue a lifelong career in human services.
Education & Training
Bon earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus on Rehabilitation and Human Services from Northern Marianas College, where she also became a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Boise State University. Her clinical internship with St. Luke’s Health System's Home Health Department provided foundational experience working alongside the social work team to assess psychosocial needs and address social determinants of health. Beyond the classroom, playing in women's softball leagues taught Bon the discipline to embrace the toughest challenges and show up even when things feel hard. Her diverse experiences across nonprofit, education, and community-based settings have thoroughly prepared her for the realities of behavioral health, strengthening her ability to adapt to diverse needs and build collaborative relationships.
"My Vision for the Treasure Valley is a home where every individual, regardless of ability, has the support and opportunities to go and grow."
Visions Journey
Before joining Visions in 2024, Bon served as a home health education specialist. As the oldest sibling in her family, she naturally developed a sense of responsibility and leadership from an early age. Her ability to hold the weight of intense clinical work was forged while supporting individuals and families navigating the long-term impacts of devastating typhoons in the Marianas. Working with communities recovering from major natural disasters while facing limited resources taught her profound patience. She learned how to stay grounded, acknowledge someone’s experience, and focus on what support is possible in the present moment. Today, Bon actively pushes back against the systemic belief that individuals should be able to navigate support systems entirely on their own. She recognizes that real barriers make accessing care complicated, and she views her role as bridging those gaps. She chose Visions because the agency’s mission aligns perfectly with her dedication to providing compassionate advocacy for individuals who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Beyond Visions
Bon is actively working toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) while deepening her mastery of trauma-informed practice. Her goal is to continuously strengthen her ability to recognize how life experiences impact individuals, promoting safety, trust, and empowerment in every interaction. Being a full-time graduate student new to Idaho, Bon found a professional home at Visions because the agency showed a genuine investment in her holistic growth. The team worked alongside her to implement flexible solutions that allowed her to balance her clinical responsibilities with a rigorous academic schedule. For Bon, working at Visions provides the ultimate opportunity to make a difference simply by being present in the moments that matter most, helping her clients build pathways toward greater stability and success.
☀️
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