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Meet Regional Talent Acquisition Manager for Minnesota and Wisconsin, Bobbi Subiti. She is a key member of our recruitment team at Dungarvin, as her insights and expertise are invaluable in finding the best talent for our organization. Get to know her better in our latest ‘5 Questions with Bobbi Subiti:’
Soft spoken and unassuming, Leroy Bryant believes the world would be a better place if people did the right thing. Leroy, 53, has spent his entire life as part of the Gallup community in New Mexico. He grew up as a proud member of the Navajo Nation, and still resides there. “I love it here!” In 2018, Leroy was named the Direct Support Professional (DSP)of the Year by ANCOR, an advocacy organization working to strengthen the ability of community-based providers to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the group gets set to announce it’s 2024 DSP of the Year winner in April, we reached out to Leroy to revisit his memories of that special night and to see what he has been up to since then. “I remember going down to Louisiana (New Orleans) and finding out I had to make a speech. I wasn’t prepared for that!” recalls Leroy. Although he remembers other award winners announced, the whole memory is a big happy blur. Individuals are nominated by someone in their organization. Bernadine Leekeela, now a Dungarvin Director in New Mexico, nominated Leroy for multiple reasons, including his advocacy for individuals supported; relationship building (including some individuals he has supported for close to 20 years!); leadership and teamwork; as well as specific examples of innovation. For his part, Leroy still says he was surprised. “It’s our job; it’s what we do every day. I didn’t think I’d ever be recognized for it.” Read his full story at the link below.
Wanda Wilkins, Foster Care Licensing Coordinator, is a proud mother of three and grandmother of eight. She has been with Dungarvin since 2011, but her first job in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) field was in a group home where she worked with adults with dual diagnoses. While she’s been on this career path for more than 25 years, Wanda still reminds herself: “There is always something new and amazing to discover within this field!” Get to know her though ‘5 questions with Wanda Wilkins' at the link below.
In what has been a massive effort, the state of Connecticut is trying to move people out of traditional group home settings into more integrated, community-based living settings, and they are doing so through the Department of Developmental Services Supporting Transformation to Empower People Initiative, better known as the “DDS STEP Initiative.” Whether that living setting be an apartment or shared living, Connecticut wants to support more independence in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community. Within the last year, the Dungarvin Connecticut team has been recognized as being at the forefront of this initiative – cited as a model for other agencies to follow. Connecticut State Director, Robert Gallant, and Area Director, Melissa Mascari, have developed a plan that identifies barriers to independent living and what it will take to move past those obstacles allowing more people to succeed. They have been invited to share their plans by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) at Town Hall meetings. Late last year, Dungarvin presented to fellow providers further identifying tactics they have employed to successfully place more individuals in independent settings. Dungarvin Connecticut has identified 16 individuals with whom they are working closely, as well as their families, seeking opportunities for greater independence through this program. Read full article: https://www.dungarvin.com/news/the-dds-step-initiative-is-a-step-in-right-direction/
“Every day I witness coworkers living out the Dungarvin mission,” said Missy Walters. “We all have the same common goal and that is to better serve and support persons served as well as each other.” Missy has been supporting our mission for nine years (this month) and is currently the Administrative Department Supervisor and Dungarvin Office Manager for Minnesota, our National office, and three other satellite offices. She is committed, charismatic, and we are excited to share with you more about her through ‘5 questions with Missy Waters:’ 1. Who are your heroes in life? My grandparents and leaders/mentors in my life. You never know the life changing impact you can have on the trajectory of someone’s life when you believe in, invest in, and empower someone. 2. Why do you have a passion for this work? As a child, I wanted to be social worker so I could help people, but my over-worrying and compassionate personality would leave me heartbroken and overwhelmed, and I knew that the frontline wasn’t my place. In my role at Dungarvin, I know that at the end of day, in a behind the scenes way, I aid in helping people live their best lives. 3. What do you most value in a friend or a co-worker? Honesty, good character, values, work ethic, and a little fun never hurts. 4. What characteristic – or adjective – would people use to describe you? Caring, dependable, devoted, understanding, and compassionate. 5. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My marriage and my family.
In the world of disability support services, there are often many heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes to empower individuals to live their lives to the fullest. One such hero is William Pate, who was recognized as the 2021 Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year by ANCOR, an advocacy organization working to strengthen the ability of community-based providers to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the group announces its 2024 DSP of the Year winners in April, we contacted William to revisit his inspiring story. When he first met Caleb, a non-verbal individual with significant support needs, William immediately saw his potential. Despite initial reports that Caleb was unable to perform basic tasks, William envisioned a different future for him—one filled with independence and personal growth. Through personalized support and advocacy, William worked closely with Caleb and his support team to develop tailored teaching methods for each goal. He understood that true empowerment comes from individualized care and support and was determined to help Caleb achieve his personal goals. Over time, small but significant achievement paved the way for Caleb to tackle more significant goals, such as feeding himself and riding in vehicles. William’s unwavering commitment to Caleb’s success did not go unnoticed. Read full article: https://www.dungarvin.com/news/william-pate-direct-support-professional-of-the-year-2021/
Today Dungarvin, Inc. announces the appointment of Lori Kress as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 1, 2023. An experienced business leader, Lori will succeed current CEO and Dungarvin co-founder, Tim Madden. Tim will continue in his role as Executive Chairman of the Board. Lori Kress joined Dungarvin as an Area Director in Wisconsin in 1995. During her 27+ year tenure, she has served as a Senior Director, Regional Director, National Director of Operations, and most recently Chief Operating Officer. Lori received her BA in Sociology from Monmouth College and MS in Rehabilitation Administration from Southern Illinois University’s Rehabilitation Institute.
Hi everyone! We wanted to give an update on how Dungarvin has grown and adapted through COVID-19 as well as how far we have come in the past year. There are over 4,000 employees that are a part of the Dungarvin Family and over 4,000 persons served. Our services are provided across 14 states and the services range from day programs and residential services to foster care and career services. With all of the growth we are experiencing, we are hiring! There are open roles in every state for direct care positions and administration-level positions in most states. We welcome everyone to apply - not just those who have been in this industry before. Lastly, we are very active on social media, so we encourage you to follow us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dungarvin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dungarvin/ Instagram: @dungarvin_
We are THRILLED to announce that eleven Dungarvin DSPs were selected as ANCOR 2021 DSP of the Year winners for their respective states, with one Dungarvin DSP selected as the National winner! Our DSP of the Year award recipients will be honored at the upcoming virtual awards ceremony which will take place on Monday, June 14th from 12-1:30PM EDT / 9-10:30AM PDT, and will mark the kickoff to Meeting the Moment: The 2021 ANCOR Annual Conference. You do not need to register for the full conference in order to view the virtual awards ceremony.
Making moves... #onedayatatime #opportunity #respitecare
