Claremore resident honored with Award of Excellence and Best of the Best Award in Direct Support Services

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Ashley Caudle was honored with two awards at the annual Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities held March 5 and 6 in Norman. Caudle works for Central State Community Services Oklahoma, Inc. in Claremore. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Developmental Disabilities Services Division sponsors the awards to honor outstanding direct care professionals around the state. 

JoAnne Goin, Director, OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division says the purpose of the awards is to honor those who help people with intellectual disabilities integrate into their communities.  

“They work long hours, often at low wages to provide services across many settings," says Goin. "The Direct Support Professionals we honored today have gone the extra mile to serve. They have provided empathic, loving care to meet our highest standards. We honor their commitment and service. They truly represent the Best of the Best in Oklahoma’s system of care for people with intellectual disabilities.”

Caudle is a Direct Support Professional Supervisor at a home where three men live in Claremore.  She was nominated by her supervisor Christine Hendrex who says that Caudle believed that one of men, who requires total care and is non-ambulatory, had potential to do more than he was doing. “Because of Ashley’s creativity, patience and eagerness to see him succeed, he has become much more independent, improved his communication skills and mobility and is a much happier man, explained Hendrex.

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Ashley Caudle (left) receives an Award of Excellence in Direct Support Services from JoAnne Goin, Director, Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Oklahoma Department of Human Services.