INARF Announces Annual Award Winners

On March 13, 2019, INARF hosted it's 2019 Annual Awards Luncheon, part of the INARF “Untying the (K)Nots that Hold Us Back” Annual Conference in Noblesville for professionals serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The awards presentation coincides with Disability Awareness Month in Indiana.
​

The 2019 INARF Annual Awards Luncheon paid tribute to seven exemplary individuals. Additionally, INARF had the pleasure of recognizing Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch for her leadership of the 1102 Task Force and her commitment to individuals with disabilities.

The INARF Annual Award Program has been an Association tradition for many years and enables INARF members to recognize the significant contributions and exceptional efforts of individuals and community partners committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. This year the Annual Award Luncheon Program was enhanced by incorporating videos of each award recipient. The new addition made for a dynamic program.

This year’s nominations for the James M. Hammond III Executive Leadership Award included seven (7) distinguished INARF leaders and are listed below: 

• Christopher Stackhouse, RISE, Inc.
• Shane Burton, Developmental Services, Inc.
• Patrick Cockrum, Sycamore Services, Inc.
• Amy Kelley, ResCare, Inc. 
• Michelle McGuin, ADEC, Inc.
• Jason Meyer, Passages, Inc. 
• Bill Trowbridge, Paladin, Inc.

Jason Meyer, Passages, Inc., received the James M. Hammond, III Executive Leadership Award, an award presented to an outstanding executive or administrator in the human service industry. ​

This year’s nominations for the Keystone Award included twenty-one (21) outstanding direct service professionals employed in the Indiana service delivery system and are listed below:

• Philip Bays, Carey Services, Inc.
• Rita Barzoni, Paladin, Inc.
• Yves Bayiringire, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
• Kayla Brewer, Carey Services, Inc.
• Amber Craig, Rauch, Inc.
• Margarita Garcia, Insights Consulting, Inc.
• Wilson Gichobi, Nominated by Goldenrod
• Lauren Gray, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
• LeKeisha Harper, ResCare, Inc. 
• Angelique Hartz, ResCare, Inc.
• Danny Holmes, ResCare, Inc. 
• Christine Jameson, Cardinal Services, Inc.
• Angie Lind, Sycamore Services, Inc.
• Marlene Martin, Easterseals Crossroads
• Jared Miller, ResCare, Inc.
• Benet Pearl, Stone Belt Arc, Inc.
• Wanda Rodriguez, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
• Chayla Sherman, Carey Services, Inc.
• Joie Shields, ResCare, Inc. 
• Mary Sutton, RISE, Inc.
• Lindsay Swartz, Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.

Christine Jameson, Direct Support Professional at Cardinal Services, Inc. has received the INARF Keystone Award, an annual honor given to an outstanding Direct Support Professional employed in the Indiana service delivery system. ​

This year’s nominations for the Pinnacle Award included twenty-two (22) submissions and are listed below: 

• Megan Anderson, Paladin, Inc.
• Kay Boas, Developmental Services, Inc.
• Desiree Bowlds-Hurtle, Corvilla, Inc.
• Marjorie Duryea, Easterseals Crossroads
• Tracy Callahan, ResCare, Inc.
• Lu Ann Emily, Bridges of Indiana, Inc.
• Ashley Frayre, ADEC, Inc. 
• Nikki Hile, RISE, Inc.
• Paula Holmes, ADEC, Inc.
• Jamie Howard, Sycamore Services, Inc. 
• Nancy Hughes, Peak Community Services, Inc.
• MaryEllen Jones, Stone Belt Arc, Inc.
• Yolanda Kincaid, Carey Services, Inc.
• Karol King, The Arc of Greater Boone County
• Kimberly Latchford, Paladin, Inc.
• Sarah Medlin, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
• Mary Nichols, Abilities Services, Inc.
• Sonya Rubrake, Passages, Inc.
• Crystal Smith, ResCare, Inc.
• Kristy Stewart, Noble
• Maureen Steward, Abilities Services, Inc.

Kay Boas, Director of Facility and Community Programs at Developmental Services, Inc., has received the INARF Pinnacle Award, an honor given to an outstanding professional level staff member in the human service industry.

This year’s 2019 nominations for the Partnership Award included eleven (11) submissions and are listed below: 

• Boone County Sheriff's Office
• Cook Medical, Incorporated
• Cummins, Inc.
• EFP, Corp.
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Goshen Chamber of Commerce
• Kroger Stores
• ObeCo
• Opportunity Enterprises
• Pearson Ford
• Toyota 

Ted Brown, Toyota, received the INARF Partnership Award, an annual honor given to a person or organization that has made significant contributions to improve the lives of people with disabilities and the agencies that serve them.  ​

This year’s nominations for the Justin Dart Personal Achievement Award included twelve (12) individuals who have participated in services through an INARF member organization and who have maximized their skills and abilities to achieve their chosen goals and are listed below: 

• Muhammad Atiq, Opportunity Enterprises, Inc. 
• Scott Buck, Nominated by Goldenrod
• William Fisher, Paladin, Inc.
• Greg Hoyer, RISE, Inc.
• Brian Kellems, IPMG, Inc.
• Linda Parr, Tangram, Inc.
• Samatha Schultz, Easterseals Crossroads
• Katie Shaw, Noble
• Sarah Strouse, IPMG, Inc.
• Carter Tharp, IPMG, Inc.
• Jonathon Wilfong, Developmental Services, Inc.
• Diana Willoughby, Sycamore Services, Inc.

Jonathon Wilfong, an Individual Waiver Participant at Developmental Services, Inc., received the Justin Dart Personal Achievement Award, an annual honor presented to an individual who has participated in services through an INARF member agency and who has maximized higher skills and abilities to achieve chosen goals. ​

This year’s applicants for the Ability Indiana Costa N. Miller Scholarship Award included eight (8) outstanding direct service professionals pursuing higher education to further their human service careers and are listed below:

• Taylor Hartsock, Passages, Inc.
• Kathleen Johnson, Hillcroft Services, Inc. 
• Brandi Kinney, Bona Vista Programs, Inc. 
• Rachael Lechlitner, Nominated by Goldenrod
• Taylor Odviar, Corvilla, Inc.
• Taylor Peters, Noble
• Stacie Smith, Bona Vista Programs, Inc. 
• Brian Ward, Abilities Services, Inc.

Taylor Hartsock, a Day Services Supervisor at Passages, Inc., and Rachael Lechlitner, Program Manager, LOGAN Community Resources, Inc., both received the Costa N. Miller Scholarship Award, which is presented to two (2) outstanding Direct Support Professionals pursuing higher education to further their human service careers.