Brandon Miles Honored With Award of Excellence in Direct Support Services

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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 Direct Support Professional Brandon Miles with an “Award of Excellence” in direct support services.

Miles was nominated by Central State Community Services’ Senior Support Coordinator DaWanna Robertson and recognized for his excellent care of an individual with developmental disabilities who lives in an agency supported home in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

“Miles has built a family-like relationship with his client since he has no living family members of his own,” Robertson said.  “He has greatly increased his client's independence and ability to speak his own mind and he calls daily after his eight-hour shift has ended to chat because he wants to make sure his client understands he’s loved and has a friend.”

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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Okmulgee resident Brandon Miles, left, accepts his “Award of Excellence” in direct support service from DHS Director Ed Lake during the recent Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities in Norman.