Amber Dickerson Honored With 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 Claremore’s Home of Hope House Manager Amber Dickerson with an “Award of Excellence” in direct support services.

Dickerson manages a community living home in Claremore, Oklahoma, where she has cared for three individuals for the past six years.

Dickerson was nominated for the award by Home of Hope personnel and was recognized for her  “strong ties with the three individuals she cares for and that their families have expressed feelings of thankfulness and gratitude for Amber and the role she plays in their loved ones’ lives as well as her determination to get to know her clients on an individual basis and how she maintains her positive and encouraging attitude.”

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 DDS Director JoAnne Goin. “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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