AL-APSE8228 Royal Oak CourtMontgomery, AL 36117

the National Anthem was played. Mr.Henry Barclay offered the invocationbefore everyone enjoyed a deliciousmeal.

Attendees also received welcomingremarks from Mrs. Celane McWhorter,Executive Director of National APSE,Mr. Steve Shivers, Commissioner of theAlabama Department of RehabilitationServices and Mr. John Houston,Commissioner of the AlabamaDepartment of Mental Health andMental Retardation.

Many individuals from across the statewere recognized for their outstandingachievement and contributions. Pleasesee related stories on page 2 -3 for more

details.

(continued from Page 1)

Alabama APSE is pleased to announce training forfamilies, agency volunteers and other interestedcommunity members to gain skills to provide job sitetraining and behavior management and intervention.Training is provided free of cost and stipends areavailable to offset travel and expenses.

Dates & Locations:

November 14 -15, 2006 Dothan

November 16 – 17, 2006 Mobile

For information on additional training opportunities, visitthe AL-APSE website at www.al-apse.org

TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS9th Annual AL-APSE Conference

September 10-12, 2007Riverview Plaza - Mobile, Alabama

AL-APSEIndependence

OCTOBER 2006 T H E N E T W O R K O N E M P L O Y M E N T

INSIDETHIS

ISSUE:

AL-APSEAWARDWINNERS 2-3

ADRS and DMH/MR:Collaborating to MakeEmployment Happen:

One of the first concurrent sessionsat this year’s conference broughtSteve Shivers Commissioner ofADRS and John Houston,

Commissioner of the Dept. of MH/MR to discuss the growing partnershipbetween these two state agencies. Steve Shivers began his career with ADRS asa vocational counselor/evaluator more than 30 years ago and John Houstonlikewise has worked a similar length of time in the field of social servicesbeginning as a patient advocate/mental health therapist before obtaining hiscurrent position. These years of experience in their perspective fields makes agrass roots foundation for the current collaboration.

Steve Shivers reviewed the purpose and services available through ADRS andexplained its primary focus: employment that is consumer oriented and basedon informed choice. This department is committed to assisting individuals withdisabling conditions reach their chosen employment goal.

John Houston gave a historical perspective of mental health treatment for thosereceiving services through his department. Originally work was consideredtreatment for individuals in state mental health facilities. It was the onlytreatment. As federal guidelines were developed, a shift was made to activetreatment for habilitation/rehabilitation of the individual, and work was no longera major focus. Today, active treatment includes all of the services an individualmay need to live a productive life. Work is a component of this treatment plan.ADRS and the Dept. of MR/MH will work together to provide the chosenemployment and to insure successful outcomes.

The Wynfrey Hotel inBirmingham scored a BIGVictory for Alabama APSE.The 8th annual conferencewas held outside of Mobilefor the first time in sevenyears. Feedback fromattendees indicatedsatisfaction with thelocation. The convenience ofshopping, dining, andcomfortable meeting roomsall helped to make theWynfrey a location thatAlabama APSE willconsider for future trainingevents.

Approximately 320individuals attended thisyear’s awards banquet thatkicked the conference off onAugust 9th. Those attendingdressed in their team colorsfor the sports themed event.The room was colorfullydecorated in crimson andwhite, orange and blue andother colors to representother colleges anduniversities throughout thestate and southeast.

Byron White, President ofAlabama APSE, welcomedeveryone to the banquet.College fight songs wereplayed as everyone enteredthe banquet room. Guestsstood and saluted the flag as

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Alabama APSE names 2006 APSE IdolMr. Baron Owes, Employment Development Coordinatorfrom the Montgomery VR office won the 2006 APSE Idolcontest. Mr. Owes wowed the crowd with his own versionof Sweet Home Chicago. Paula, Randy andSimon helped to narrow the field of 14 downto the final 3. The two other finalists wereCurtis Glisson and Natasha Gebhardt. Thecontest was another big hit. Look for more

APSE Idol in 2007.

BARON

APSE IDOL 2006

AL-APSE Award Winners

Kelley Baughtman has beendescribed as a “committedworker”, “a real inspiration”and “a ray of sunshine” bycoworkers and supervisors. Herrehabilitation counselor statesthat “the world is a better place

with folks like Kelly”.

Jesse Cox has exhibited a greatattitude despite overwhelmingodds. In 1992, an automobileaccident left him with atraumatic brain injury. Jesse’srecovery was a long journey, buthis optimism & determinationkept him going.

The Carlos Smith Family

The Baughtman Family

FAMILIES OF THE YEAR

Morris Harwood is a graduate ofJacksonville State University where heearned both a BS and MA Degree inPhysical Education. In September2002, Morris was hospitalized for asevere mental illness. Following hisdischarge from Bryce Hospital, Morriscontinued his treatment at JBS MentalHealth Authority and was hired astheir fitness instruction.

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS WINNERS

ENTREPRENEURSHIPAWARD

Durrell Adams spent a great dealof his life living in an institution. Hehad never worked in the communitybefore beginning a supported employ-ment program in January of 2005.Since that time, he has started his own

janitorial business.

The Jim Green Agency of the Year Awardwas awarded to the Arc of WalkerCounty representing a small supported

employment agency in Alabama. TheArc of Mobile and The Arc of TuscaloosaCounty shared in the recognition for alarge supported employment agency inAlabama. Directors, Lou Vick, Jeff

Zoghby and Barbara Carroll were on hand to acceptthese awards.

AL-APSE Award Winners

John Payne is a vocationalrehabilitation counselor withthe Alabama Department ofRehabilitation Services. Heworks in Baldwin County andserves as liaison counselor to

the local mental health center.

APSE SPIRIT AWARD

Tim Green Latricia Mitchell

Mary Guyton has worked asa job coach for several yearsand has always demonstratedthe highest level ofprofessionalism and diligencein her work. Moreimportantly, she truly caresfor the individuals she workswith as evidenced by hertireless efforts to assist them

in obtaining employment.

PROFESSIONAL AWARD

BRENDA MCCOMBLEADERSHIP

LisaAlford

PRESIDENT’SAWARD

Joe McComb

The Arc of Jackson County received the BestPractice Award for their Business Buddies Program.This program was developed to increase communityunderstanding of the capabilities of individuals withdisabilities and expand natural supports for theseindividuals as they go to work.

McDonalds ofRainsville/Ft. Payneand Attalla is a groupof businesses whohave worked with onelocal community tosupport countlessindividuals in theiremployment efforts.

They have createdpositions and provided

natural supports for multiple employees inrecent years.

Forest ManorNursing Homehas worked witha supportedemploymentprogram for the

past 3 years.During this timethey have hired10 individualswith disabilities,most of whom arestill working. They provide natural

supports that result in job stability.

EMPLOYERS OF THE YEAR