2021 HAVAR Award Recipients

We are pleased to announce that we have our winners for our end of the year 2021 awards!
Again, these awards are for some folks who went that extra mile. And while we had many people who were nominated, we can only have three winners. Thank you, judges for your participation on this also.
On to the winners . . . congratulations, and let’s see what your coworkers had to say about you! (These are the actual nominations)

Mike Trace Award for Outstanding Teamwork JUSTIN PRATHER – This outstanding DSP has worked in Athens County for the past seven years as part of a TEAM serving several gentlemen. He has provided services to a person with extremely challenging behaviors, to an individual fighting cancer and to an individual with mobility challenges. Through it all, this young man has stepped up to not only support his individuals but to also support his fellow co-workers. He maintains a calm demeanor and professionalism whenever he is at work. He has covered shifts for his co-workers without complaint. He takes on tasks whenever asked to do so. He volunteers for assignments; he took the lead for home care and shopping. , he pitches in to help anyone that he is working with and he trains all incoming staff. If anyone has a question, this man is who you see for the answer. In the times of covid, he has made sure that sanitation and safety were a priority for not only his individuals but also for his co-worker’s safety as well. His co-workers often request to work with him due to the fact his is caring, diligent and professional. He works hard and strives to support everyone around him so that he may be part of an excellent support team.

Mitch Daugherty Award for Positive Outlook SAVANNAH HARRISON – This young lady has been with Havar in Athens County for just over two years. She is also a college student and that has not stopped her from become an important & key member of the team. She has worked the entire weekend from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon with an individual with very challenging behaviors for the past two years. Despite encountering challenging behaviors every single weekend, every day, this young lady continues to strive to bring companionship, fun and community in to her individual’s life. She is always upbeat and positive. She tries hard to make sure her individual has a good day every day by encouraging trips out of the home, going to parks, going to see music, supporting her choices, doing crafts at home or even by supporting quiet time at home on a bad day. Where others can easily get discouraged, This young lady comes back every weekend , starts over with a fresh smile and a fresh attitude ready to provide supports in the most positive way possible.

Lisa Simpson Award for Excellence ASHLEY FLESHER – I’d like to nominate Ashley Flesher for the award for Washington county. She mainly works at Poplar street with Travis and Charlie. She is so good to these boys. She goes above and beyond for them. Even on her off days if Travis is having a bad day she lets him call her and talk it out. She always makes sure their house looks great and everything is done. I can tell how much they love her and I feel like she needs recognition for her hard work.

IT Department win national award!

The HAVAR IT Department has been under review by the North American Technology Interest Foundation (NATIF), and been found as the “Most Up-to-date” and “Best Early Adopter” for small organizations. The award, accepted by Manger, David Milliken, was received Monday afternoon, on the Athens Ohio, Courthouse lawn. Milliken, honored by recognition, continually praised his staff members, Chris Bruno and Jacob Hand, for their willingness to keep up with the ever growing demands that the tech industry places upon small businesses.

Our new Executive Director!

On January 1, 2016 Shelby Rhodes will become Havar’s fifth Executive Director.  Shelby has worked in the Washington County Board of DD SSA office for the past 19 years.  In that capacity, he has been a knowledgeable and proactive support for agency providers, including Havar.
Shelby and his daughter Rachel live in Marietta, and Shelby will make his primary office the Marietta location on Third St.
Here is what Shelby has to say about his background:
“In my 29 years of experience working with people with disabilities, I’ve held a variety of positions, including personal attendant and direct care worker, a workshop specialist, a supported employment supervisor, a service coordinator, in addition to my current position.  I have developed service plans, monitored services, assisted in the development and co-management of my current department, am familiar with large budgets and have had many opportunities to interpret state rules, and improve policies and procedures.

In their totally understated way we catch a candid shot of Debbie Schmieding passing the keys to the Havar world to our…

Posted by Havar Inc. on Thursday, December 31, 2015

Person-centered Planning

One of the most significant developments in our field in recent years is the idea that the

contracts we execute with people served (“ISPs”) should fully, respectfully and

creatively represent the hopes and dreams of that person. Various terms have arisen to

describe the process of learning about those goals – “person-centered planning”;”

person-centered thinking”; “ futures planning”– and Havar has been lucky to participate

in two dynamic pilots. The Imagine Project (Washington County) and The Waiver Pilot

(Athens County) have highlighted the importance of:

1. Full participation in planning by the focus individual and persons important in

his/her life;

2. Teamwork and excellent communication between Havar staff and our County

Board counterparts;

3. A product that is balanced between goals “important to” and “important for”; and

4. A product that is completely accessible and meaningful to the person who owns

it; which often means a good deal of graphic facilitation (pictures) is involved.

We are learning every day how powerful this process can be in individuals’ lives, and

how we had unwittingly allowed a regulatory atmosphere to invade the product. It is

beyond exciting that awareness is growing within our organization; our state trade

associations, in the state legislature and governor’s office, and at the federal level.

Putt People First!

www.puttpeoplefirst.org

In 2008, Havar partnered with the Athens Area Mediation Service, the Athens City Recreation Dept., and 18 small business sponsors to develop Athens Co. Ohio’s only outdoor, 18-hole miniature golf course.  The businesses contribute $500 per year and design their own hole.  Hole sponsor fees are divided by the two non-profits.  We intend that the course will provide many years of family entertainment for Athens County and fund-raised income for the non-profit lead sponsors.