Mattie Jordan Honored With an Award of Excellence in Direct Support Services

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) held its 28th Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities recently in Norman. During the awards ceremony, DHS recognized Tulsa resident Mattie Jordan, who works as a job coach, with an “Award of Excellence” in direct support services.

Jordan Didier, A New Leaf development and community relations coordinator working in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, said she nominated Jordan because of the way she maintains a community worksite serving with five to six individuals with developmental disabilities daily.

“Mattie builds great relationships with the clients she assists and their families, caregivers and guardians,” Didier said. “She knows each one of her client’s strengths and abilities. She fosters those strengths and abilities to ensure that the clients achieve their own goals.”

She said Jordan works daily to ensure that clients are integrated into the community and receive fair treatment from the employer.

“If she feels that clients may be successful at a different jobsite or in a different position, she lets the agency know immediately,” Didier said. “If clients come to her with a challenge, she advocates on their behalf with program coordinators, the director of client services and their families. If challenges arise regarding their community employment and working in the community, Mattie advocates relentlessly on the behalf of the client.”

She said Jordan understands the importance of community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities and does everything in her power to ensure that her clients are afforded the opportunity to be integrated into the community where they work and live.

“One of Mattie’s greatest strengths as direct support worker is her ability to increase individuals’ self-esteem and confidence in their abilities while promoting independence among the individuals she serves. Mattie is extremely patient and helps her clients learn all aspects of their work. She identifies the strengths and desires of each individual and then works tirelessly to ensure that the individual has the support they need to achieve their goals.

“As the individuals become more and more successful at their tasks, Mattie is constantly giving positive reinforcement, guidance and praise – raising each individual’s confidence,” Didier said.

A direct support service professional is someone who works as a direct care worker for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. These workers can include habilitation training specialists, job coaches and group home staff, as well as habilitation aides, workshop staff, and agency companions or as specialized foster parents.

The criteria for winning an “Award of Excellence” focuses on a nominee’s tenure, experience, relationship to the individual(s) and the families they support, leadership, advocacy and their success in supporting people to be included in the community.

“Our award winners say they absolutely cherish the people they serve,” said JoAnne Goin, director, DDS. “They’re practical, determined and compassionate folk who treat their individuals like dear friends and family, all the while encouraging and teaching them how to become more independent members in the communities where they work and live.

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Mattie Jordon receives an "Award of Excellence" from DHS Director Ed Lake.