DEP’S FLORIDA PARK SERVICE RECEIVES PUBLIC ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE ABLE TRUST

Florida DEP Banner

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2011

Contact: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP’S FLORIDA PARK SERVICE RECEIVES PUBLIC ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

FROM THE ABLE TRUST

~Florida Park Service recognized for dedication to promoting and assisting with job opportunities and training for people with disabilities~


Able Trust participants work on a project at O'Leno State Park.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service was recently honored as Public Organization of the Year by The Able Trust as part of the 2011 Ability Awards. The award recognizes the Florida Park Service for outstanding efforts to advance employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities across the state.
“This recognition by The Able Trust demonstrates our commitment to communities, the core values of the Florida Park Service and our dedication to help create employment opportunities for people of all abilities,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “It is because of such high caliber service and professionalism that Florida remains the best state park system in the nation and a key player in job creation in Florida.“
The Able Trust Ability Awards annually recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions toward the employment of Floridians with disabilities. The Able Trust, with the help of their outstanding collaborators and champions, is the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through grants, public awareness, public education, policy recommendations and corporate partnerships.
“The Ability Awards recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations from throughout the state, like the Florida Park Service, who go above and beyond to make sure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities at education, training, employment and the best life possible,” said Dr. Susanne Homant, President and CEO of The Able Trust. “It is an honor for The Able Trust to work with the Florida Park Service and we are humbled by their contributions to the mission of our organization.”
In the last year, more than 17 state park locations were involved as job shadow sites for The Able Trust's Disability Mentoring Day, Ready to Achieve Mentoring Programs (RAMP) and High School/High Tech (HS/HT) projects. DEP and park service staff were involved as planning committee members, guest speakers, mentors and tour guides. Staff also conducted outreach to local parks to assist in creating year-round disability mentoring and community service projects.
Numerous park staff and AmeriCorps State Park service members have worked alongside HS/HT and RAMP students, teaching them the value of service and basic job skills by restoring trails, removing invasive plants, removing debris from Florida's shoreline and building animal habitats. The award reflects the Florida Park Service’s willingness to offer meaningful community service and career mentoring opportunities to participants of The Able Trust programs.