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Six West Virginians honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — Six West Virginians were recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
The honorees, whose career paths range from accounting to law enforcement to nursing, received their Ability Works recognition awards during an Oct. 22 ceremony in Institute. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
"Working with their own strength and determination, using this bridge of support and assistance from the Division of Rehabilitation Services, today’s winners have earned their employment success," said keynote speaker Natalie Tennant, West Virginia Secretary of State.
The annual awards honor one exemplary candidate from each of the agency’s six districts.
Lewisburg nurse honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — A 40-year-old nurse at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center was recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
Gary Hefner of Marlinton spends his days taking care of other people, now that he’s taken care of some health issues that troubled him for much of his young life.
Hefner, a licensed practical nurse at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, is the 2009 Ability Works State award winner for West Virginia. He represents the Beckley District, comprising Raleigh, Mercer, Summers, Monroe, Greenbrier, Fayette, Nicholas, Braxton, Webster and Pocahontas counties.
Kanawha deputy honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — A 45-year-old Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff was recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
Dan Clarkson of St. Albans has defied the odds, surviving a terrible motorcycle accident while nurturing an optimism that drives his life and his work.
Clarkson is the 2009 Ability Works winner for the agency’s Charleston District, comprising Kanawha, Boone, Clay, Calhoun, Roane, Jackson, Mason and Putnam counties.
Applebee’s hostess honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — A 22-year-old hostess at Applebee’s restaurant in Bridgeport was recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
Because of her warm, cheerful personality and her enthusiasm for her job, Kalin Hanlan is the perfect hostess.
The qualities that have made her successful in a busy Applebee’s restaurant caused her to be honored as the Ability Works award winner for the agency’s Clarksburg District, comprising Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Harrison, Taylor, Barbour, Tucker, Randolph, Upshur, Lewis and Gilmer counties.
Wheeling accountant honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — A 49-year-old accountant at Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino and Racetrack was recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
Carolyn Hancock’s dynamic personality is as great an asset as her accounting skills at Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino and Racetrack, where she has been a revenue auditor since January 2008.
Hancock is the 2009 Ability Works honoree for the agency’s Wheeling District, comprising Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, Doddridge, Ritchie, Pleasants, Wood and Wirt counties.
Logan pharmacist honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — A 28-year-old Kroger pharmacist from Stollings was recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
Justin Booth had a dream of becoming a pharmacist, and he has never let anything stand in the way of fulfilling that dream. His persistence is one reason Booth is the 2009 Ability Works winner for the agency’s Huntington District, comprising Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming and McDowell counties.
Eastern secretary honored for vocational excellence
Institute, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2009) — A 59-year-old administrative secretary at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College was recognized today by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for exemplary vocational rehabilitation.
Donna Southerly has transformed herself in just five years, socially and vocationally. Her eagerness to learn and rise above physical challenges has turned a shy, restrained person into a confident, outgoing woman.
Southerly, a Hardy County resident, is the 2009 Ability Works award winner for the agency’s Martinsburg District, comprising Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, Mineral, Hardy, Grant and Pendleton counties.
More people eligible for vocational rehabilitation services
Institute, W.Va. (June 10, 2009) – More people may now be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services as a result of changes to the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services’ (DRS) order of selection process. The changes became effective June 1, following the redirection of more funding for client services.
Order of selection is a process mandated in the federal Rehabilitation Act to ensure that individuals with the most significant disabilities are prioritized when there is not sufficient funding to serve all eligible applicants.
"These changes reflect how responsible government results in better service," said Gov. Joe Manchin. "DRS is helping people with quality of life, providing the tools they need to succeed and help themselves in order to contribute to the state’s dynamic workforce."
DRS has four defined categories of disabilities based on severity of the condition, in an effort to make sure people with the most significant conditions are given priority for services. Until now, DRS was serving eligible people in the top three categories. With more funding available, DRS now has the opportunity to also serve those who may not have qualified before.
