Shining a Spotlight on Those Who Exemplify Our Mission.

I asked Todd if the handicap spot by the SSA building could be moved closer to the building. I was recently diagnosed with a condition that causes me to walk slower and more awkwardly. One day it was raining, and I got wetter than if I was walking normally, and I became worried about walking in the snow/ice in the winter. I was shy about asking Todd if the handicap parking space could be moved closer, and he was so nice when I asked and made me feel reassured for asking. He was very empathetic and told me that he will look into it. Throughout the process, he kept me updated. In a short amount of time, the handicap spot was moved by the building. I am so relieved knowing that now, no matter the weather, I can walk in/out of work safely and quickly. I like knowing other people can benefit by this also. Most of all, this made me feel that I am valued and supported by our agency.

Shelly took a lot of time to teach me how to access the InterRai report and the CAPS booklet and how to utilize the CAPS report for planning purposes. She also taught me how to bookmark the sites so I can access them on my own moving forward. I really appreciated the time she took to do so. I had been trying to figure it out on my own and trying to follow the directions DODD sent, but was unable to. Shelly consistently takes time to assist me when I have questions or need assistance.

During the preparations for All Staff, there was a request to change how the technology in the Auditorium was set up. Normally, there is one monitor that shows the same image as the projector so the presenter can see what the audience sees without turning around. For this All Staff, it was requested to repurpose that monitor so it could display a script instead. The plan was to adjust the original setup so the monitor could show something other than the projector’s image. During rehearsal the day before All Staff, there was an issue with the screen showing the script. Bobby immediately stepped in to troubleshoot the problem, allowing the rest of the team to continue working through rehearsal. It also became clear that having the presenter see what was behind them would be helpful. When Bobby was asked how difficult it would be to set up a second monitor, without hesitation, he jumped right in and got to work. In a short amount of time, he had the second monitor up and running. This improvement was extremely valuable and was used by all of our speakers during All Staff. Thank you, Bobby, for stepping in so quickly and helping us get things back on track. Your ability to jump right in and figure things out made everything run smoother for the whole team. I really appreciate how quickly you understand what’s needed and make it happen. Your innovation and commitment to high‑quality work really showed, and it made a big difference for All Staff. Thanks again for everything you did.

While this situation may seem like a small matter to some, Shelly’s willingness to continue pursuing a resolution had a meaningful impact. The vehicle had been unavailable for approximately a week, creating frustration and challenges for the staff member who relied on it. Shelly recognized the importance of resolving the issue and stepped up to help—not because she was required to, but because she genuinely wanted to support a coworker and ensure that services could continue without unnecessary disruption. By working to get the vehicle back into service, Shelly helped support the providers and teachers who depend on that vehicle to deliver essential services to individuals in their homes and communities.

This is a true example of what it means to live our brand of excellence. Shelly demonstrated that excellence is not always found in grand gestures; many times it is reflected in the willingness to take ownership of a problem, remain committed to finding a solution, and support a coworker when help is needed. Boy, did she do this for me!

I am incredibly proud to work alongside someone who demonstrates this level of dedication, perseverance, and commitment to others. Shelly consistently shows that excellence means going the extra mile, taking initiative, and recognizing that even seemingly small actions can make a significant difference in the lives of both coworkers and the individuals we serve. She's such an asset to the school and all those we serve!

Kaylee worked with me to pull a very specific and complicated report out of Brittco. After working with the report for days and attempting to farm specific data manually, I worked with Kaylee to see if we could modify the data and add some additional conditions to the form to reduce the manual work. She was able to make the form do everything I was looking for and summarize the information beautifully. It was a MAJOR help and time-saver!

While working through reassigning caseload, a meeting had been scheduled a month in advance and was not realixed until the person arrived for the meeting. When the person and her family member arrived at SSA for the annual meeting, Toshua immediately dropped everything to help work through the situation, research what was needed, and meet with the person to get the needed information for her annual plan at the time that had been scheduled. With 15 minutes to prepare, she was able to work with her supervisor, research the situation, and meet with the person with a smile on her face! Her willingness to jump in with no information ahead of time and get completed the needed paperwork so that the person would not have to reschedule after driving in was awesome! Her hard work and willingness to pivot are greatly appreciated!

When you step back and look at everything Milisha contributes, she honestly deserves to be nominated for multiple categories. However, I chose “Creating a Brand of Excellence” because of the effortless excellence she brings to her day-to-day work. Milisha has handled numerous changes with grace while continuing to take on additional responsibilities. She is currently training a new ISCA and never hesitates to provide guidance when they encounter an unfamiliar situation. She has also been able to pinpoint areas where refreshers may be beneficial for the team, especially with the number of changes that have been implemented. Milisha is always quick to step in and help others, whether they need assistance with documentation, organization, or navigating a new process. She approaches every responsibility with a positive attitude and a willingness to support those around her. What truly sets Milisha apart is that she consistently makes the minimum standard of work performance look excellent. She brings consistency, organization, grace, and a commitment to helping others to everything she does. Milisha is a true example of what it means to create and maintain a brand of excellence every day.