Dewey Matt Weintz 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 Matt Weintz, who works as an agency companion with ARC Group Homes, Inc. in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with an “Award of Excellence” in direct support services.

Weintz was nominated by DHS DDS’ Agency Companion Specialist Cheryl Crawford. She works for DHS in Tulsa, but covers Bartlesville as a part of her territory. She said Weintz began working as a habilitation training specialist in 1991. The same year, he began caring for Jack Hailey, an individual with developmental disabilities.

“Matt and Jack are truly like brothers,” Crawford said. “Matt has ensured that Jack gets to attend car races at the Caney Valley Speedway race track every Friday night and most Saturday nights since 2001. Since then, Jack has been a fixture and the self-appointed welcoming committee at the track and in 2010, because of Jack’s regular and dedicated attendance, he received a trophy for being the ‘Favorite Fan.’”

Crawford said that because they became such close friends, the pair investigated DHS’ Agency Companion Program and Weintz officially became Jack’s agency companion in 2004. Weintz also found activities that Jack likes to participate in, including waving to people and handing out candy. As a result, the pair decorated and entered a float in the “Outhouse Derby” for Checotah Days and Jack won ‘Best in Show.’”

“The Bartlesville Christmas Parade soon followed, and Jack had another ‘Best in Show’ award,” Crawford said. “Jack also continues to transform his home into a must-see attraction and it rivals anything Disney has to offer. Their newest venture is manning a travel trailer at the race track in where Jack sells inflatable souvenirs.

“Jack is learning how to handle money and in the process he gets to meet and greet other fans.  Matt has worked wonders in boosting Jack’s self-esteem and independence. The confidence Jack exudes overflows as he continues to participate more and more in community activities,” Crawford 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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Matt Weintz, left, accepts an “Award of Excellence” from DHS Director Ed Lake