1st Annual CRSA Support Professional Awards

Outstanding Direct Support Professional Award is to be bestowed on a direct care staff person who represents all the ideals and commitments we promote in empowering those we support to lead fulfilling and enriching lives.

Mary Reller is an Assistant Program Coordinator at the Cedar View Group Home, which is part of Residential Resources in Longview, WA, where Mary has worked for 12 years.

Mary Reller is the inspiration for the entire team, the clients and the families and guardians of Cedar View Group Home. Mary embodies the mission of our agency...to be a resource to people with developmental disabilities and their families so that they experience dignity, respect, fulfillment and support to achieve their life goals.

We are proud to award the 2006 Outstanding Direct Support Professional Award to Mary Reller!

The Emerging Leader Award is to be bestowed on a supervisory or program specialist staff person who demonstrates leadership and commitment within their own organization, as well as the developmental disability community, and shows a strong commitment to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

Deirdre Farrison is the Region 5 Program Supervisor at Walsh and Associates. She began her career working with people with disabilities while in college and was inspired to enter the field of developmental disabilities by her mother, who worked for the British National Autistic Society.

Deirdre shows great leadership skills by setting a good example for the 100+ staff and participants in both Tacoma and King County offices. She is willing to stretch her own comfort level and to try new strategies to keep her approach fresh and expand her knowledge base. She is grounded and responsible and in her future is slated to take over the regional Administrator position at Walsh and Associates. She inspires staff with her faith in their abilities.” The people Deirdre works with say, “She manages with heart.”

We are proud to award the 2006 Emerging Leader Award to Deirdre Farrison!

Please also congratulate the following nominees for these awards:

Oustanding Direct Support Professional Nominees

• Gary Hensel, Soundview Association, Region 3
• Karen Stafford, Creative Living Services, Region 4
• Courtney Vail, Banchero, Region 4
• Shawna Stoneking, SL Start, Region 2
• Connie Wilson, Sunrise Services, Region 3
• Jermy Jackson, Tri Cities Residential, Region 2
• The Ballinger House Staff - Ronny Umboh, Ousman Darboe, Eric Owusum, Lamin Jammah, Charles Osei, Walsh and Associates, Reg. 4

Emerging Leader Nominees

• Rory Patnos-Robinson, Alpha Spring Meadow, Region 4
• Marci Swindell, Creative Living Services, Region 4