Direct Care Professionals at AWS: Advancing the mission
The direct care professionals featured here were nominated by their supervisors as those embodying the Mission of AWS to help individuals with disabilities live as independently as possible, be included in the community and function at their maximum potential. These professionals, along with their 1,300 colleagues, were honored during National Direct Support Professionals Week in early September.
Safety is top priority
Pat Williams
Personal Assistant, St. Louis, Missouri Supported Living
6 months of service
Working the night shift is no small task. Just ask Pat Williams. Pat works overnights at a Supported Living house in St. Louis, Mo. “When I come in, Doug wakes up,” said Pat. “I take him water and talk to him. He likes to say hello and see me before going back to sleep.”
Pat also makes sure that the house is clean and everything is in order for them to begin the next day. Most importantly, she ensures the clients are safe.
Pam Fields, QDDP (Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional) at the house, described Pat by playing on the words Direct Support. These are the characteristics that define Pat:
Dedication Invaluable Reliable Experience Caring Talent Self–starter Understanding Patient Punctual Organized Reliable Team player
Communicating without words
Elizabeth Kivumbi
Team Leader, Cincinnati, Ohio Supported Living
10 years of service
Elizabeth Kivumbi knows the value of communication – even if you can´t speak. The most rewarding part of her job is seeing changed behaviors and improved attitudes in clients who cannot communicate with words. “They really listen,” she said. “I love to interact with our clients and make them happy. It´s great when we can understand and respect each other, even without words.”
As a Team Leader, Elizabeth helps clients with tasks like grocery shopping and cleaning. She also helps them get involved in community activities.
Mike Campbell, Director, said, “Elizabeth is a team leader for the extremely high behavior home we have. The consumer is non–verbal, but his family speaks very highly of Elizabeth's care and compassion. She is the longest tenured team leader we have, having been with AWS since we started in Cincinnati.”
Clients dictate daily approach
Angela Young
Personal Assistant, Dayton, Ohio Supported Living
2 1/2 months of service
Angela Young is a new employee, but her passion for helping people began long ago. "When I was in high school, I used study hall to help students with learning disabilities," she said. She worked with people with disabilities in Cincinnati for six years, before moving to North Carolina.
When a family illness brought her back to Ohio, Angela began working at AWS with two women with extensive behavior needs. "I can´t go into their home with expectations about how things are going to be that day," Angela said. "I have to approach each day with the method that works best. I have learned to communicate and work in a way that helps them reach their daily goals and have the best day possible. It is so rewarding to see them grow and develop."
Ryan Knodel, Director, said, "She goes above and beyond by always being there in a crisis, picking up shifts, following the Support Plans to the tee and encouraging consumers to reach their maximum potential."
All in a day´s work
Lisa Spivey
Supported Living Supervisor, Cleveland, Ohio Supported Living
4 years of service
Lisa Spivey was recently promoted from Team Leader to Supported Living supervisor. Though she is no longer considered a DSP, her legacy remains with her coworkers. "Our employees strive to approach their work the way that Lisa does," said Shane Snuffer, Director. "Lisa not only provides great quality service, but also goes above and beyond, throwing birthday parties for clients, organizing cookouts, and other things."
Lisa says it´s all in a day´s work. "I love everything about my job," she said. "Working with people with disabilities has always been a dream of mine. Of course there are challenges, but at the end of the day, it´s so fun and rewarding."
Though Lisa´s new position involves more administrative work, Lisa is excited to meet more AWS clients. "This position will afford me the opportunity to visit all of our homes and meet more of the people we serve."
"Every morning I´m ready to go back."
Emma Miramontes
Personal Assistant, Espanola, New Mexico Supported Living
1.5 years of service
When AWS took over services for Mosaic in June, Emma Miramontes was certain she wanted to continue the work she was doing in Supported Living and Day Services.
Emma works with three clients, helping them get ready in the morning and spending the day in the community. "very morning I´m ready to go back," she said. "I love my job. I am able to help make a difference and help our clients succeed. That´s pretty amazing!" Emma said supervisors with whom she works make her job easier. "veryone is cooperative and helpful. It´s a great team."
Rick Klotz, Director, said, "mma is always willing to assist new staff. She has an amazing ability to work with our hardest behavioral clients, assisting, calming them and helping them continue to reach their highest potential."
Living the three "E´s"
Raquel Lovato
Personal assistant, Santa Fe, New Mexico Supported Living
1 year and 3 months of service
If you ask New Mexico Director Rick Klotz to name valued members of his staff, Raquel Lovato is one person that stands out. "Raquel has worked in both Santa Fe programs (Supported Living and Day Services)," Rick said. "She is always willing to take on new tasks – particularly when it comes to enhancing community access for clients or teaching them new skills."
Raquel loves getting clients out and about. She beams when she talks about taking them to volunteer or listen to music in the park. Recently, Raquel started a literacy program at AWS to help clients learn to read.
Raquel believes every direct support professional needs to have the three E´s. "In order to work with people with disabilities, you have to have energy" she said. "You have to be enthusiastic and you have to encourage clients to reach their greatest potential."
"Treat others as you would like to be treated."
Joe Miller
Group Home Trainer, Columbus, Indiana
4.5 years of service
Joe Miller is a believer in equal opportunity. Joe, who works at one of AWS´ medically fragile group homes in Southern Indiana, lives by the motto; treat others as you would like to be treated. He carries this motto to work with him on a daily basis. "Our clients are just like us," he said. "They like to play games, watch movies, be with friends and live a fulfilling life. They deserve the chance to do all of those things. That´s what we give them at AWS."
Carl Lampton, director, said Joe´s attitude makes him an exceptional employee. "Joe has a positive, can–do approach. He always goes the extra mile and he builds great relationships with the clients."
For Joe, working hard and putting his heart into his job means more than just getting a paycheck. "I have the opportunity to help give our clients a better quality of life. I couldn´t do my job well if my heart wasn´t in it."
Consistency leads to success
Lucy Stevens
Team leader, Marion, Indiana Supported Living
9.5 years of service
Lucy Stevens has big goals for Delayna, an AWS client that she works with daily. Lucy would like to see Delayna become more independent and more comfortable in her community. These are goals they have been working on for almost a decade, and the progress has been incredible. "When I first met Delayna she was struggling," Lucy said. "She would lash out, spit, pull hair and jump up and down."
But Lucy says that Delayna has made progress thanks to persistence and wonderful staff. "Delayna has long–term, consistent staff that work with her on goals daily. The best part of my job is seeing the progress she makes. It´s very rewarding."
Cathy Voit, program coordinator, says Lucy has done wonders with Delayna. "Lucy is great with her. She is so caring. If you see Delayna´s face, you can tell she´s a happy person."
"To help clients as much as I can"
Erick Johnson
Teacher, A. Wayne Advantage, Fort Wayne, Indiana
2.5 years of service
So far this summer, Erick has taken his AWS clients to volunteer in the community, as well as to a baseball game, area parks, museums, the YMCA, Fort Wayne International Airport, local eateries and other places.
"I help clients as much as I can – especially if they have volunteer jobs – to see how much they have advanced."
Michelle Beemon, Program Coordinator, sees Erick as a patient, kind and effective teacher.
Erick suspects these attributes have their origin in his youth, when he cared his ailing, beloved grandmother. He also believes he honors his half brother, who is an individual with mental disabilities.
"It´s important to care for clients well," he said. "To make sure they are safe, that they get their meds and are trying to reach their goals – I especially like helping clients achieve their goals."
"Every individual deserves respect"
Lori Bugielski
Team Leader, Hobart, Indiana Supported Living
Seven months of service
Lori Bugielski was a young mother, struggling to come to terms with her son´s autism. "It was hard to accept, but once I came to terms with it, I began to learn about a variety of disabilities and I think I became a better person."
At AWS, supervisor Stacey Shrewsbury says Lori is "Wonderful with the clients and completes all her responsibilities properly and on time."
"I believe every individual needs to be treated with respect no matter what the disability, and I´m a big believer in getting out in community," Lori explained. "Clients must be taken care of properly – that´s the most important thing to me."
Staying positive; making a difference Charrone Logan Group Home Trainer, Ringneck Group Home, South Bend, Indiana 10 months of service
Charrone Logan leaves her troubles at the door when she reports to work at the Group Home in South Bend. "Even if I have problems, I leave them in the driveway. I enter with a smile on my face and do whatever they ask me to do."
Her supervisor, Hellen Chimbuka or Dawn Burkett, agrees. "Charrone is willing to take direction and input ... and do whatever needs to be done for the job – including things that are not routine."
For Charrone, it´s all part of helping the men at the South Bend Group Home. "I love my guys. When I arrive, Roger is rocking in his wheelchair – but he stops when he sees me. And Paul often yells in the morning; but he stops and gives me a big smile when I come it. That makes my day."
"I can always do more"
Pam Jenkins
Personal Assistant, South Bend, Indiana Supported Living
10 years of service
Pam Jenkins´ Christian faith is always with her on the job. "I act as though I´m serving Christ when I serve my clients. I know I have to do my best, and realize I can always do more."
Program coordinator Naomi Kimani lauds Pam´s "genuine interaction with clients, enthusiasm and willingness to go beyond the call of duty."
As Pam visits her three clients weekly, she undergirds her efforts with respect, clear communication and lots of humor. "I never tell someone to do something without an explanation, and I try to approach my clients as if someone were coming into my home. Most of all, I like to make people laugh and put them in a good mood," she said.
"AWS is really a good organization. They have the right idea about clients – to treat them with respect and help them be as independent as possible."
Open mind, connections and patience
Ashley Lin
Team Leader, Supported Employment Follow Along (SEFA)
2.5 years of service
Keeping an open mind, connecting with clients and having the patience to talk things through are attributes that help Ashley Lin in her job as Team Leader.
Ashley´s supervisor, Sandra Ffrench, described Ashley as a hard worker, adding, "She offers consistence and is dependable. She tries to get consumers involved in all aspects of the community."
The latter is key for Ashley. She takes clients to volunteer at the Rescue Mission and Harvest Food Bank, for walks in the mall and, as often as possible, to shop at the same grocery store "so they can build relationships with the same people and have consistency in their lives."
She added, "When the clients are excited about working on their goals and find success, then it´s been a good day at work."
Udana Wright
Group Home Trainer, Lamlie Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana
2 years of service
"Udana Wright stands out from all of the rest. She is always willing to help with extra things – by going to school with a client or to taking those few extra seconds to give them the dignity and respect they deserve," explained her supervisor Bree Cannon.
"I´ve been in this field for 14–15 years," Udana said, "It´s part of my everyday life." On the job, she sees clients as individuals, makes sure they are taken care of and loves to be around children. "I get so attached to them that they seem like family."
Bree added that all Lamlie Home clients respond well to Dana. "Udana hardly ever takes a day off of work because she realizes the children depend on her being there for that consistency in their life. Udana always goes above and beyond what is expected of her."
Trust, confidence, responsibility
Teila Jackson
Personal Assistant, Supported Living, Fort Wayne, Indiana
1 year of service
Clients´ families make it a point to call Charlene Wass to let her know how pleased they are with Teila Jackson´s work and how much they trust her to work with their children.
"I love my job," Teila began. "It´s so rewarding to see clients accomplish something they could not do before. Sometimes it takes just a little encouragement." She laughed a bit and added, "My job´s not about the money or the praise. It´s about helping the clients."
Teila is also her clients´ advocate, declaring, "My clients deserve just as much of a right to live as normal of life as we do."
Charlene, who serves as Program Coordinator, added, "Teila portrays confidence and responsibility. She has been successful at building a strong rapport with high behavioral clients and supporting clients with medical needs and will do everything she can to support them."
Patty Chambers
Personal Assistant, Indianapolis,Indiana Supported Living
5 years of service
Patty Chambers realizes the lessons from her job go both ways. "My consumers teach me as often as I teach them. Sometimes the consumer reverses the way I teach something, and it goes better their way."
The veteran direct care worker is a generous and effective teacher to all those around her, according to Director, Denise Schmidt. "Patty shares information well and is great at training and helping new people."
For Patty, the "generosity" trait is one learned during childhood. "I was raised by older parents; they taught me responsibility early in life."
She says a positive attitude, flexibility and trying to set good examples as far as punctuality and completion of her work are among her goals. "Above all, you have to place your consumers first."
