Gov. Bevin & Cabinet Leadership Honor CHFS Employees for Quality Service
Department for Community Based Services awards recognized at Governor’s Mansion ceremony
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 26, 2019) – The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) recognizes nearly 60 staff members from its Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). Award winners exhibit exemplary service, leadership, and accomplishments.
Gov. Matt Bevin attended the DCBS awards ceremony in the Governor’s Mansion. The Governor spoke to a number of employees individually and told the group he appreciates their dedication.
“We are grateful for the dedicated public servants who work daily on behalf of the children, adults and families of our Commonwealth,” said Gov. Bevin. “You are on the front lines of helping Kentuckians achieve safety, self-sufficiency, and vital connections to local and state resources. We are excited to celebrate you individually and also your steadfast commitment to advancing this worthy mission within our communities.”
CHFS Secretary Adam Meier told the honorees they are shining stars of the Cabinet and role models for the more than 4,400 DCBS staff.
“In honoring you, we also give reverence to our Cabinet’s core values of compassion, discipline and accountability,” he said. “You don’t just deliver human services, you serve the families of the Commonwealth with heart.”
DCBS Commissioner Eric Clark said the annual event spotlights exemplary staff who serve the public humbly and effectively.
“Today we celebrate your dedication to serving Kentuckians and making a difference in their lives,” he told award recipients. “We not only honor the quality work you have provided to countless vulnerable children, adults and families across the state,” Clark said. “We honor your excellence in public service by going above and beyond to provide better outcomes for families.”
Clark said the award winners represent the DCBS mission to build and support an effective and efficient system of care with Kentucky's citizens and communities.
A broadcast quality video story from the awards ceremony is available online at the Cabinet’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kychfs/. Photos from the event are also on the Cabinet’s page as well as the DCBS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kydcbs/.
Award winners were chosen from regional and divisional nominations. Four awards honor former DCBS employees. These award winners and nominees are as follows:
Paul T. Grannis Social Services Worker Award: Kasey Reynolds - Two Rivers Region (Logan County)
Kasey Reynolds is a Social Services Clinician II who ensures her assessments are understandable and concise, and that all aspects of a family and their situation have been discussed, her nominator wrote. She keeps an open line of communication with all clients and community partners. Kasey is able to use her skills to ensure that the children she serves feel safe and the family understands the court process. Kasey leads by example. While carrying her own caseload, without hesitation, she will stop to help her coworkers while not complaining once. Kasey will stop in a heartbeat to assist her teammates in conducting home visits or helping to initiate new referrals of child abuse and neglect.
This award honors the memory of Paul Grannis, a Fleming County family services worker who was killed on May 8, 1987, during a child protection investigation. Grannis received the award posthumously that year.
There were eight other nominees for the Grannis Award. They are as follows:
- Amy Yates - Cumberland Region (Rockastle County)
- Mark Fannin - Eastern Mountain Region (Pike County)
- Breanna Detenber – Jefferson Service Region (Jefferson County)
- Monica Webb - Northeastern Region (Boyd County)
- Kelsey Currans - Northern Bluegrass Region (Harrison County)
- Sarah Knight - Salt River Trail (Shelby County)
- Skyler Hayes - Southern Bluegrass Region (Clark County)
- Kristin Heimpel - The Lakes Region (Christian County)
Sheila Eckler Family Support Specialist Award: Staci Holley, Southern Bluegrass Region (Fayette County)
Staci Holley is a Family Support Principal in Fayette County. Her nominator calls Staci the utmost professional and kind in her approach to all she comes in contact with: clients, community partners and her fellow team members. She has a gentle spirit when working with clients, especially the elderly clients she sees when handling adult medical cases. She is patient and thoroughly explains the process of Medicaid and what is needed from them to complete their cases. She works with these individuals as if she was explaining it to her own family or grandparents. Staci takes great pride in her work and her work relationships. She is a wonderful role model for all new hires.
This award is named for Sheila Eckler, a Pulaski County family support worker who died in a car accident on Jan. 23, 1998, on her way to a meeting in Frankfort.
There were eight other nominees for the Eckler award. They are as follows:
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Dana Helm - Cumberland Service Region (Adair County)
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Shawna Cornett - Eastern Mountain Service Region (Martin County)
- Kathleen (Koppy) Rhodes - Jefferson Service Region (Jefferson County)
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Christine Bowe-Cepeda - Northeastern Service Region (Carter County)
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Ken Turner - Northern Bluegrass Service Region (Campbell County)
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Alice Keister - Salt River Trail Service Region (Bullitt County)
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Cindy Fearria - The Lakes Service Region (McCracken County)
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Amanda Millraney - Two Rivers Service Region (Warren County)
Boni M. Frederick Social Services Aide Award: Theresa Sams, Cumberland Service Region (Bell County)
Theresa Sams is a Social Services Aide I for the Cumberland Region. She is assigned to Harlan, Bell, Knox, Clay and Whitley Counties. Theresa is an exemplary team member who has enthusiasm for the organization and commitment for its cause, her nominator wrote. She maintains open and professional communication for all that she encounters. Theresa sets high expectations for herself and staff know that they can always count on her when needed. Theresa often volunteers to assist coworkers with assisting in transporting and participating in family team meetings. Theresa seeks out the correct procedures and policy and if she does not know the answer to questions, she seeks out answers on her own initiative. Theresa is a mentor to all, especially new staff. Theresa is an individual who is not only highly motivated, hardworking, and independently motivated, but a kind person whom families and staff like to work with. Theresa always remains calm and composed, even in the worst situations, which often brings peace to others during the most difficult and chaotic situations.
This award is named for Frederick, a Morganfield social services aide who died in the line of duty in October 2006.
There were eight other nominees for the Boni Frederick Award. They are as follows:
- Angela Campbell - Eastern Mountain Service Region (Breathitt County)
- Tenille Brooks - Jefferson Service Region (Jefferson County)
- Mark Harris - Northeastern Service Region (Greenup County)
- Christopher Rodgers - Northern Bluegrass Service Region (Bourbon County)
- Alexandria Pollock - Salt River Trail Service Region (Shelby County)
- Cory Bartell - Southern Bluegrass Service Region (Madison County)
- Ann Veatch - The Lakes Service Region (Fulton County)
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Sonya Hampton - Two Rivers Service Region (Logan County)
April Vandeventer Leadership Award: Mandie Graham, Northern Bluegrass Service Region (Scott County)
Mandie Graham is Scott County Field Services Office Supervisor (FSOS), but she covers APS Scott, Bourbon, Pendleton, Harrison, Nicholas, Grant, Owen, Gallatin and Carroll counties. She also rotates as on-call supervisor for Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. When times get tough, her nominator said, Mandie is willing to put boots on the ground, type for staff, absorb paperwork and confront injustice. What is more, her nominator said, she does it all with a smile! Mandie is able to cut through superfluous details and maintain a cool, collected mentality to not only get results, but also to ensure dignity and respect for the client. Mandie’s advice and words of encouragement constantly keep those around her going. She truly inspires others to be and do better.
The award is named for Vandeventer, of Lawrenceburg, a veteran DCBS manager who died in 2006 after battling cancer.
There were seven other nominees for the Vandeventer Award.
- Francesca (Fran) Vitatoe - Cumberland Service Region (Harlan County)
- Lorrie Ann Howard - Eastern Mountain Service Region (Floyd County)
- Holly Almon – Jefferson Service Region (Jefferson County)
- Eric Martin - Northeastern Service Region (Fleming/Robertson Counties)
- Douglas Hazelwood - Salt River Trail Service Region (Grayson County)
- Virginia Jones - Southern Bluegrass Service Region (Fayette County)
- Jennifer Harrell - The Lakes Service Region (Muhlenberg County)
Twenty-four other employees were honored with Commissioner’s Awards for commitment to quality service through their outstanding achievements and accomplishments in each office.
Commissioner’s Awards
- Connie Hurley - Cumberland Service Region (Rockcastle County)
- Tammy Peters - Cumberland Service Region (Jackson County)
- Kimberly L. King - Eastern Mountain Service Region (Perry County)
- Jeremiah Ferran - Eastern Mountain Service Region (Pike County)
- Rebekah Davis - Jefferson Service Region (Jefferson County)
- Amy Spriggs - Jefferson Service Region (Jefferson County)
- Anthony Howard - Northeastern Service Region (Morgan County, County)
- Brandy Brown - Northeastern Service Region (Carter County)
- David Gonzalez - Northern Bluegrass Service Region (Campbell County)
- Kellie Rose - Northern Bluegrass Service Region (Harrison County)
- Corrie Hall - Salt River Trail Service Region (Hardin County)
- Charleen Shepherd - Salt River Trail Service Region (Bullitt County)
- Jessica Adams - Southern Bluegrass Service Region (Madison County)
- Lejla Kingsland - Southern Bluegrass Service Region (Fayette County)
- Mikka Allen - The Lakes Service Region (Muhlenberg County)
- Kim Hedges Gray - The Lakes Service Region (Christian County)
- Leah Durbin - Two Rivers Service Region (Webster County)
- Sara Chapman - Two Rivers Service Region (Warren County)
- Veronica Sears - Division of Protection and Permanency (Franklin County)
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Leigh Ann Dixon - Division of Family Support (Franklin County)
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Janet Johnson - Division of Child Care (Franklin County)
- Crystal DeSpain - Division of Administration and Financial Management (Washington County)
- Denise Balz - Division of Program Performance, Quality Central (Jefferson County)
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Shannon Hall - Northeastern Service Region, Division of Service Regions (Carter County)
For more information about DCBS, log on to: https://chfs.ky.gov and type “DCBS” in the “What can we help you find” search tool.
MEDIA NOTE and PHOTO CUTLINE: . Photos from the event are also on the Cabinet’s page as well as the DCBS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kydcbs/. “DCBS awards were presented at the Governor’s Mansion. From left, Gov. Matt Bevin, 2019 DCBS award winner XXXX (NAME) and DCBS Commissioner Eric Clark.
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