new york state developmental disabilities planning council (ddpc) 24th achievement awards

8/8/2019 New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) 24th Achievement Awards

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New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

(DDPC) Consumer Caucus Honors New Yorkers at

24th Achievement Awards

The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) Consumer Caucusheld its 24th Achievement Awards Dinner & Ceremony on October 27th, 2010, in Albany. The

DDPC Achievement Awards recognizes those individuals and organizations that have shown

extraordinary efforts in personal growth, community growth, not just personally but for all New

Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families.

DDPC Chairperson, George E. Fertal, Sr., stated, "The DDPC Consumer Caucus for twenty four

years has honored dedicated people and organizations for their exemplary work with and for

New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families...this year is no exception. We

have the opportunity to celebrate the lives and work of some very exceptional people and

organizations...congratulations to the deserving Achievement Award recipients."

DDPC Consumer Caucus Chair Aldea LaParr was Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening and

said, I am always amazed at what our Achievement Award recipients have accomplished but

more importantly, what they have as goals to be accomplished. In this, our 24th year, of

recognizing exceptional accomplishment, we are pleased to have such a wonderful group of

individuals and organizations to recognize.

Sheila M. Carey, Executive Director of the DDPC, said, It is people and organizations like all of

our award recipients that continue to make such an important difference in our lives and the lives

of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. It is a wonderful feeling to see

recipients from across our great state honored this evening. The DDPC is proud to be able to

honor these individuals and organizations. I cannot think of a better group to emulate than ourAchievement Award recipients...they have proven themselves time and time again.

24th DDPC Consumer Caucus Achievement Award Recipients:

Exceptional Personal Growth

Lee Parvelis a young autistic man residing in a State Operated Individual Residential

Alternatives (SOIRA) in Corning, NY. Four years ago he was the first person living in a state-

operated group home to be accepted into a self-determination/Consolidated Supports and

Services (CSS) plan. Over the past four years Lee has been in a CSS plan and has made

incredible progress. In July 2007 Lee suffered a massive stroke and spent a couple of months in

the hospital and subsequent rehab. Over a period of months Lee regained most of his physical

capacities and has recently been able to go back to his volunteer work.


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Substantial Influence on the Lives of Others

Clint PerrinOver the last fifteen years Clint Perrin has demonstrated significant personal

growth in his various roles as a self-advocate leader. Over this time Clint has had a progressive

development of leadership responsibilities and achievements. A partial list includes: terms as

president and vice president of a local self-determination advocacy group in Putnam County aswell as terms as secretary, vice-president and president of the Self-Advocacy Association of New

York State (SANYS). Clint currently works for SANYS as Special Project Assistant focusing

primarily on individualized support and system policy issues.

Volunteer of the Year

Mary OverfieldService and volunteering take on many meanings to many people. For

volunteer Support Parent Mary Overfield, volunteering has always been done in the spirit of

sharing and helping make someone elses journey and challenges a little easier with her support.

Mary Overfield first contacted Parent to Parent in 1997 when her daughter Megan was four

months old. She knew at the time she needed to make connections with other families who werefacing and experiencing similar challenges. Mary fully realizes and embraces that there is

healing in sharing and gratification in knowing you have made a difference for another family.

Volunteer of the Year

Gia CarrollGia Carroll is a parent of a child with a disability who has exhibited pioneering

efforts on the behalf of individuals with disabilities and their families. Gia was instrumental in

creating and sustaining Upstate NY Families for Effective Autism Treatment (UNYFEAT), a

not-for-profit whose mission is to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their

families by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life. Started about five

years ago UNYFEAT shares information on-line as a forum/discussion board and today reaches

well past 9,000 posts with over 600 members.

Employer of the Year

ShopRite - Pearl River, NYShopRite Pearl River has shown a demonstrated excellence in

accommodating employees with disabilities. They have made several accommodations such as:

flexibility in regard to job duties, flexibility in job schedules, and have demonstrated a high level

of patience and compassion. ShopRite has worked collaboratively with Jawonio in providing the

necessary accommodations in order to enhance job performance. Not only have they been eager

and willing to make these accommodations , they are also motivated to meet with Jawonio staff

regularly to brainstorm about innovative ideas in working with our programs. Shoprite is a very

high-paced work environment and they have a business to run.


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Direct Support Employees of the Year

Raechel M. CuttingRaechel has been employed at Mountain Lake Services for twelve years. Shebegan her career as a direct support professional. She has shown a creative ability in focusing on the

abilities of those she supports. She has developed credibility and trust with those she supports through

relationships she had worked hard to establish and maintain. Her co-workers look to her as a role model

and rely on her to assist them in generating new ideas that are individualized for each person. Her

efforts have proven to be beneficial for many individuals as they have developed skills and

achieved goals that have increased the quality of their lives.

Administrative Employee of the Year

Donavan McLeodDonovan is a unique and extraordinary person and employee. He currently

has administrative/management responsibility for the Crescent Individualized Residence.

Crescent Individualized Residence is a very unique, small and specifically designed program for

four citizens with developmental disabilities. The individuals in this program present

challenging behaviors and many have a history of struggling in previous residences. WhenDonovan assumed responsibility for the residence it was in need of improvement. His leadership

has played a major role in improving the overall quality of life for the individuals served in his

home.

Inclusive Congregation of the Year

Maranatha Bible ChapelThe members of Maranatha Bible Chapel have for many years

welcomed individuals with disabilities into their congregation. Some members with disabilities

have been members since childhood with supporting family ties making their participation in the

community a most natural occurrence. They are accepted as is everyone else, and participate in

full membership in the church. Of note is the congregations acceptance of two individuals withsignificant developmental disabilities without previous family ties to the church. Not only do

these two individuals attend regular Sunday services, they also attend church suppers and special

programs during the week as they occur.

Everyday Life / Images of Inclusion

Caitlin WeirCaitlin was 14 when she became involved in Shared Ski Adventures (SSA). This

is part of CP Rochesters Recreation Program. Coming from a skiing family it was a naturalfor Caitlin to want to join in.

This past winter Caitlin really got into it with a new Tessier Dual sit ski supplied by SSA. The

new ski made it easier for Caitlin to navigate the slopes with much more comfort and ease thenin the past making her experience all the better. Caitlin states that skiing really gives her a

rush. She loves it when her Dad or one of the other instructors skis really fast with her. And,

she loves skiing with her family because shes able to share in an activity that almost her entirefamily enjoys. This past February she went skiing with her aunts, uncles, and cousins at

Killington...the photo is from that trip. Caitlin stated, It was so cool at Killington because I was

doing the same slopes as the rest of my family. I really felt included!

new york state developmental disabilities planning council (ddpc) 24th achievement awards

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