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Kathy Jenkins Employer of the Year Award This award recognizes an employer who has shown confidence in people with developmental disabilities by employing them in gainful positions, in an individualized integrated environment, and demonstrating a sincere interest in their success. Kathy Jenkins, Worktec Program Manager at Fort McPherson, and her team there have consistently demonstrated a deep and steady commitment to support people with disabilities in the work program. Worktec provides maintenance services for Ft. McPherson. The job duties of Worktec staff include cleaning, stocking and restocking supplies, and loading and supplying transportation vans. Because they are working on a military base, each employee must follow additional strict guidelines. Libby Casares, Employment Specialist for AADD, sings praises for the Worktec team because they are genuinely interested in the AADD program participants who work on the base. Carefully considering each person’s capability, they raise standards for their employees’ performance and the employees consistently rise to the challenge. The care and attention of the Worktec team to support each employee with disabilities to improve their skills and level of professionalism is exceptional. Kathy and her team go the extra mile to raise their employees’ level of self esteem. According to the AADD Employment Specialist, one of the things that is so special about the Worktec team is their effort to understand what is going on the lives of their coworkers with disabilities, including helping to arrange doctor’ appointments if necessary, and supporting them in their relationships. Kathy and her team work extraordinarily well with the staff at AADD. Employee concerns are brought to the attention of AADD staff for coaching, but in many cases, the team resolves the issues on their own, and lets AADD know. When it might seem to be easier to write up employees, the team does everything possible to resolve issues. In the words of one of the employees placed by AADD, “I will never want to leave this job.” |
Kathy Jenkins
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