Gregory Lander 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 Direct Support Specialist Gregory Lander with an “Award of Excellence” in direct support services.

Lander was nominated by Phoenix Residential Services Owner and CEO Lisa Toth for his nearly nine years of work both as a Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS) and as a vocational HTS for an individual named Andrew who lives in a group home in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. “Greg has been instrumental in supporting Andrew in building and maintaining his activities of daily living,” Toth said.

She also describes Andrew as having limited speech, but “by the way the two men seem to read each other’s minds, Greg has been instrumental in implementing the very thoughtful and successful speech plan written for Andrew,” she added.

“Every day for close to nine years Greg has shown up on time and stayed the whole shift, and actually worked for Andrew and in his best interests … he supports, he cares, he teaches, he looks out, he advocates, he feeds, he bathes, he cleans and he is a friend,” Toth 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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DHS Director Ed Lake, left, poses with Phoenix Residential Services Direct Support Specialist Gregory Lander as he accepts an “Award of Excellence."