The Employment Services Team

Feb 1, 2013

Dear Danielle Bentley, Ty Bradley, Stuart Franks, Daniel Liu, Chelsea Lutts, Ray Massey,
Shannon Morgan, Laura Parisi, Warren Payton, Stephen Schultz, Dominique Terry, and Chevon Wing,

Employment opens doors to the possibilities in life; it is the gateway to our lifestyle, our friends, our conversations, our productivity, and our self-esteem.  Yet for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to employment is no easy matter. It takes a tremendous amount of know-how, creativity, encouragement, and tenacity to support someone with a disability to get and keep a job in today’s complex world. Without each of you bringing your professionalism and performance excellence into supporting each person through teaching, encouraging, searching and countless other acts all of this would not be possible for the hundreds of people SPIN supports to work.

The Employment Services Team has deservedly won the coveted award of SPIN’s Team of the Quarter for their incredible accomplishments. Nominated by your leader, Andrea Davies, who states in her letter, “The Employment Specialists work well both independently and as a team.  Independently, they achieve the employment outcomes for the people they support.  As a team, they offer advice, insight, coverage support and, most importantly, a listening ear.  We often have last minute changes to schedules, because of a call out, interview or work related issue.  With one email to the department, we immediately see responses sent from each other’s Blackberries offering to help.  The Employment Specialists rearrange their work schedules and often their personal schedules to accommodate the needs of those we support.  The Employment Specialists value the work they do and have great respect for each other.  Without this dedication and camaraderie, we surely wouldn’t be able to manage these last minute schedule changes with no effect on the quality services people expect from SPIN Employment Services.”

I have certainly been able to witness the energy and cohesiveness of this valuable team at the many Employment Banquets I have had the opportunity to attend over the years. Watching this vibrant group in action as you host and lead the banquet is a source of tremendous pride for me and our organization. One can see the respect each of you has for each person on your caseload and the relationship bonds that have been built. By far my favorite part of the banquet is the stories each of you tells about the challenges and successes each person has as they strive to gain employment and to be a good employee. In addition to the banquets, our Employment Specialists speak at the annual Chamber of Commerce breakfast they host and represent SPIN professionally at this event. Everyone who is a part of this experience leaves the breakfast with tremendous respect for SPIN’s Employment Services and renewed belief that everyone is employable!
Andrea references in her nomination letter that this team is often the unseen and the unknown workforce unit of SPIN. True enough because each Employment Specialist is out in the community mentoring and teaching each person in various aspects of their employment. Unique challenges come up all the time and trouble shooting is the middle name of each successful Employment Specialist in this dynamic team.  Although you may often feel “unseen” rest assured that we know you are a critical aspect of SPIN. You can’t get through a week without hearing about the accomplishments of SPIN’s Employment Specialists. No group in our organization has more impact in people having A Life of Possibilities than SPIN’s wonderful Employment Specialists. 

Andrea’s letter goes on to say, “Managing change is a major strength of the Employment Services team.  They are frequently called upon to pilot new initiatives at SPIN, because of their willingness to try new things and evaluate them fully to provide useful feedback.  They have piloted the transition to Total Record, the use of slates and aircards and the use of various eForms for timesheets and mileage reimbursement.  The Employment Specialists have adapted to many changes in regard to their paperwork responsibilities, productivity, unit of service utilization and Total Record accountabilities.  Over the past two years, the Employment Services department has taken on new projects and services such as Mastery Charter School, Chamber of Commerce events, OVR, Compensatory Education and Customized Employment.  Each project has required the Employment Specialists to learn new skills and think creatively.  Our local and regional recognition has increased due to our willingness to explore new employment strategies.  This has lead to an increase in referrals to our typical ODP and IDS funded services as well as OVR and Transition Services.”
I know Andrea frequently receives positive feedback from individuals, employers, families and staff on the professionalism and caring support they receive from the Employment Specialists. But, I also know that Judy and I also receive the same glowing feedback about SPIN’s Employment Services. Your people-first work and dedication have made a positive name for SPIN in our community.  The Employment Specialists also take the time to recognize the amazing work of others.  Through your nomination letters individuals and employers have received local and state awards and recognition.

You are truly the brave, the bold and the wonderful as you embark into the world to connect people to their dream of having and keeping a job.  On behalf of the SPIN Corporate Board, the SPIN management team and all those you support in employment, I thank you for all you do.  It is my privilege to congratulate and name SPIN’s Employment Specialists as the September to December 2012 Team of the Quarter.
In honor, gratitude and recognition,

Kathleen Brown McHale
President and CEO