Time really does fly when there is excitement, a sense of renewal, and growth in the air.

It is hard to believe that we are already six months into 2015. There has been quite a bit of hustle and bustle in Oklahoma since January 1 for sure.

Our first task of the year was to transition 20 individuals into our Agency Companion program as a result of another agency deciding not to continue to provide this service. This decision followed a change in state policy requiring that all Agency Companion providers must be independent subcontractors. Dungarvin Oklahoma has been providing Agency Companion services under the contractor model since 2003, so we were well equipped to assume these services.

This presented opportunities for Dungarvin Oklahoma. We had two months to prepare for this transition, which was effective on January 1, 2015. This opportunity more than doubled our Agency Companion program, and we were able to extend our services into the Tulsa area. We found and set up an office, set up orientation sessions with the in-coming providers, worked with DDS for service authorizations, and hired a Program Director, which did not occur until April. January 1 came and thus far the transition has been a success. Special thanks to Heather Brown for maintaining the Tulsa office during the past five months and everybody involved in making the transition a success, including Lori Kress, Randee Lang, Cathy Rathburn, Shirley Pullar and so many others that assisted us in this endeavor.

In the midst of preparing for the growth in our Agency Companion segment, we were also transitioning four new individuals out of the last remaining institution in Oklahoma. These individuals were admitted into our Daily Living Support segment and have been the most successful to date. We were told that these transitions would be under incredible scrutiny and, indeed, they were and still are. However, Dungarvin Oklahoma rose to the occasion and with the careful oversight by Program Directors Chris Serafino and Frances Case, these transitions have been a success.

Dungarvin Oklahoma has some bragging rights to share as well. In March, we learned that one of our own was selected among “the best of the best” at this years’ Governor’s Conference. Case Management staff nominated Jackie Kropf, Residential Coordinator, for this honor and she was recognized among a select few as an outstanding Direct Support Professional. Jackie’s efforts were instrumental in stabilizing a home that was opened as a result of an institutional closure here in Oklahoma. This home supports individuals with intense medical challenges. Jackie was able to step in after a series of challenges and provide the stability and care needed to make this home a success. Her philosophy is that even those with significant challenges can live a normal life. Jackie has facilitated a number of activities and opportunities for these gentlemen that they have never experienced. This is a true testament that everybody can be served in the community given the right supports and that their quality of life does not need to be diminished because of their unique needs. Congratulations Jackie!

Additionally, in April, we learned that one of our Agency Companion providers, Glory Honea, was selected as Oklahoma’s representative for ANCOR’s DSP of the Year and she was honored at the ANCOR conference in Washington DC in May. Since 2003, Glory provided services for a young man who, with her help and support through some challenging times, has since moved into a more independent setting, and is going to school and working as part of a pilot program to assist those with intellectual disabilities accomplish their dreams and aspirations. This would not have happened if it were not for Glory’s advocacy for this young man and her faith in his abilities. She recognized his interests and abilities and nurtured that through his adolescence. She provided him with a loving home and included him in all the family activities including trips to Las Vegas and a cruise. In addition, she provides excellent relief services for many others, and often times, does so without question if she knows the need is dire. Thank you Glory for all you do and congratulations!

In closing, I would like to share another exciting event that occurred in April and that was the bitter sweet move of our administrative office. We moved from Norman, Oklahoma, which we called home for 18 years, to Oklahoma City. Some people say we have moved from the ghetto to uptown. I think they are right. Even though our space in Norman served its purpose well for many years, it was time to upgrade. And that we did. We have doubled our space and it is hoped that it will support future growth for years to come. We are very privileged to have this wonderful work space and appreciate all the efforts from many people including again, Randee Lang, for orchestrating the move with the help of Karen Lindquist, Office Manager, who facilitated and coordinated all the necessary local activities involved in a move of this magnitude. We could not have done this without them. There are others to thank, including Linda Norman, Office Assistant, and the Dungarvin IS department. This move has given us a sense of renewal and pride and we look forward to conducting our business in our new space as we support the folks we consider our primary focus. Thus far, the stakeholders that have visited have been very impressed and have requested our new conference room as their permanent meeting place. We will be glad to accommodate! We have settled in and are now planning for our official Open House to take place in July, so we can show off our new digs even further.

Earlier this year, Dungarvin’s CEO, Dave Toeniskoetter, was nominated and recognized by ANCOR’s Legacy Leaders Circle.

The ANCOR Foundation Legacy Leaders Circle celebrates the accomplishments of the men and women who have paved the way to life in community settings for people with disabilities. These visionary leaders have made meaningful community participation a reality for the nearly 500,000 Americans with disabilities ANCOR providers support. The ANCOR Foundation Legacy Leaders Circle honors our finest and most influential leaders, while creating an endowment to fund the development of future leaders in our field. Dave has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over 30 years. Dave serves as Dungarvin’s President and CEO which supports over 2,500 individuals across 13 states and has been a strong supporter of ANCOR for many years. Dave’s accomplishments and reputation speak for themselves. Dungarvin’s Director of HR and Risk Management, Debi Allsup, was present to see Dave accept this award.

Debi stated, “It’s hard to fathom how this could have remained a secret from the man who always seems to know what’s going on, but Dave seemed genuinely surprised at this recognition!”

The award acknowledged Dave’s contribution as “a visionary leader in the field of developmental disabilities for over three decades.” The nomination continues with the following accolades. “During his distinguished career, he has been a strong advocate for individuals, ANCOR, families, and providers. Dave has been an active member of ANCOR since 1997. In 1998, Dave worked in collaboration with other agencies to change the Federal law related to income taxability of payment to foster families. During his tenure, he served on the Government Relations Committee and played a key role in securing a 2004 opinion letter from the Wage and Hour Division on the application of the sleep time exemption for direct support professionals. Dave has served on ANCOR’s Finance committee since 2002 and served for an extended period of time as the Chair of that committee. Dave has also been the Fundraising Chair for the National Advocacy Campaign. In 2013, Dave was elected as ANCOR’s Board President and served in that capacity through 2014. Dave currently is the Past President and as such serves on the ANCOR Executive Committee. Dave has also been a speaker at several of the ANCOR conferences. In closing, we can think of nobody who embodies the principles associated with the Legacy Leader award more than Dave Toeniskoetter.”

Dave Toeniskoetter (right) Accepting ANCOR Legacy Leader Circle Award

We all agree with Debi when she said, “We are fortunate to have a strong leader like Dave at the helm of Dungarvin!” Congratulations Dave!

ANCOR, the American Network for Community Options and Resources, recognized the achievements of seven Dungarvin employees who were chosen as 2015 DSP of the Year award recipients for their respective states. This is a remarkable accomplishment, as these individuals were selected from over 800 nominations that were submitted. In early May, all but one of these winners were able to attend the 2015 ANCOR Annual Conference which took place in Washington D.C. Again, we’d like to congratulate Carla Buterbaugh- Colorado, Lisa Buckentin -Minnesota (unable to travel to Washington), Glory Honea-Oklahoma, Shawn Torres- Nevada,; Kathy Kinsey- New Mexico, Tara McIntosh- Oregon and Jeanne Gebhardt-Wisconsin.

ANCOR’s goal of the DSP of the Year awards program is “. . . to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct support workforce. The awards honor and recognize the dedicated individuals who continually enrich the lives of the people with disabilities they serve.” Dungarvin winners accepted their awards at the conference, and were formally recognized for their dedication and commitment. In addition, award recipients attended various conference sessions, ventured to Capital Hill to meet with legislative staff to advocate for the needs of persons with developmental disabilities, and enjoyed a tour of the Washington, D.C. area. They were also guests at a special dinner that included the entire Dungarvin entourage that attended the conference.

The fact that Dungarvin DSPs have been recognized with these awards by ANCOR for the past eight years is an incredible testament to the caliber of our Direct Support Professionals. We truly appreciate the challenges involved in their jobs, while applauding how they rise to those challenges every day that they arrive to work. Congratulations again, 2015 ANCOR DSP of the Year winners, and thanks to all Dungarvin staff for everything that you do for the persons we support.