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Outstanding Employers!
Congratulations to our most recently named Outstanding Employers. They all have
demonstrated sustained efforts to support and encourage Morningside clients.
They have also shown the flexibility to make accommodations when necessary which
translates into productive and valued employees. All four of our Outstanding
Employers, including Petco in West Olympia (featured in the last newsletter
issue), will be honored at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at St. Martin's Worthington Center. Please join us,
and the business community, on that day in saluting these wonderful employers
and their efforts on behalf of people with disabilities!
Washington Department of Personnel
Outstanding Employer
Client: Curtis White
Supervisor: Suzie Dupont
Team Supervisor: Teresa Dillon
Job coach: Michele Foster
Since many DOP documents were upgraded to an electronic format this year one of
Curtis’ main job assignments, purging and shredding old documents, became
unnecessary. In response, Suzie, his supervisor, and other co-workers on Curtis’
team, brainstormed what tasks could be added to Curtis’ job. They created a
completely new and updated schedule for Curtis which includes more computer
tasks and more responsibility within DOP. Curtis’ team supervisor, Teresa
Dillon, also suggested that Curtis move his desk from the stockroom in the
basement (where his purging and shredding were located) to a cubicle upstairs on
the second floor where his co-workers are located. The change means Curtis now
attends meetings with his team so he knows what is going on within the DOP and
is current with all DOP events. Way to go DOP!
Office of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Outstanding Employer
Client: Lucas Doelman
Supervisor: Kelly Robison, P
rogram Manager Director: Eric Raff
Job coach: Laurie Schindler
Lucas Doelman has worked at the Division of Deaf and the Hard of Hearing for
seven years. As his supervisor, Kelly Robison, has been there to support and
assist Lucas in not only being successful but growing with his job. Kelly has
modified tasks when necessary so Lucas can complete his assignments
independently, ensured Lucas is a participating member of the team, and is
always looking for additional duties for Lucas including ways he can practice
his leadership skills. Kelly has also been a big part of Lucas’ success with his
Toastmasters Club. She has supported him by assisting with the research for
speech topics as well as giving feedback on how the speeches were delivered.
Recently Lucas received the Distinguished Toastmaster Award and, of course,
Kelly was there to congratulate him!
American Maid – Outstanding Employer
Client: Dan Wilcox
Supervisor: Mindy Stewart
Owner: Lisa Letourneau
Job coach: Jane Mohr
Though working for American Maid for only seven months Dan Wilcox feels like he’s
always been there! His employers identified the challenging areas which kept Dan
from working by himself and were willing to limit his duties to build up his
confidence before moving forward. A change in the routine of cleaning buildings
worked well to accommodate Dan’s evening shift. To support Dan, this is the only
building worked by a team which means Dan has support nearby as he works. Terri
and Lisa, of Dan’s American Maid team, encourage his independence by focusing on
his use of a pictorial task list rather than relying on verbal direction. Dan’s
development is gently shaped by his two mentors and he is learning one new task
at a time as he is ready. This great success is a result of American Maid's
willingness to change its regular procedures and not focus on Dan’s challenges
but rather look to his strengths as areas to develop.
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