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News Release
November 8, 2018

MEDIA CONTACT
Dalmath Associates, Inc.
Amanda Antinore (585) 586-6650
Kevin Head, Employee of LAICO Industries, Wins NYSID’s 2018 William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award
Rochester NY – November 8, 2018 – Kevin Head, a a document destruction technician at LAICO Industries , a Lifetime Assistance subsidiary, is the winner of New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) 2018 William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award.

NYSID's annual Joslin Awards Program celebrates those who have overcome individual challenges to experience meaningful employment on NYSID Preferred Source contracts. Now in its 15th year, NYSID's Joslin Awards Program has recognized 770 Outstanding Performers, and awarded 19 of those individuals with the final William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award.

Head, 35, has Down syndrome. One of the biggest challenges he faced was adapting to change in the transition from school to employment at LAICO Industries in 2004. Over time and with encouragement, he has come into his own.
After a few years, he expressed interest in working in the in-house classified scanning and shredding business. He immediately adjusted to the routine and loved working in the shredding operation, officially starting in February 2009.

Working on NYSID Preferred Source contracts, Head has learned the full range of shredding responsibilities. He discovered that to be a good employee, he had to work hard, follow safety rules and security measures, and work as a team. Head uses a pallet jack to load and unload trucks and a large commercial floor scale to weigh and record totes. He is adept at inserting wires into shred material to produce a 1,400-pound bale of paper. Head uses his talents with computers to scan in and record totes back into service for the drivers.

“Everyone who sees my handwriting tells me how neat and easy it is to read,” Head said. When asked how it felt to be nominated for the Joslin Award, head replied, “It makes me feel good and proud. When my peers got nominated for this award, it made me want to work harder to get nominated. It gives me confidence when peers and staff notice and praise me for doing a great job.”

Head takes pride in his work and believes in himself. He takes Rochester Transit System Access Liftline to work to have more independence. He engages in customer service and has participated in shredding events at Lifetime Assistance and in the community. As Head's confidence in speaking with people grew, he asked to do deliveries throughout the building. Next, he asked to take attendance for the whole production facility.
When asked about earning a paycheck, Head responded, “I’m able to pay for living in my home. I can afford to go out to dinner with my parents on the weekend.” And how would he feel if he didn’t have a job? “I would miss the fact that I would not be a part of the recycling and making a difference,” he said.
Head and his parents participate in fundraisers, many community events and traveling, and his confidence is seen in all that he does. When his sister, Melissa, announced that she was getting married in Alaska, Head filed paperwork to officiate and performed the marriage ceremony.

Kevin advocates for change through the Lifetime Assistance Self-Advocacy group and other opportunities. He attends Legislative Days to support important causes, including the Be Fair 2 Direct Care campaign which advocates for a fair and living wage for the direct-support professionals who help him to be independent and successful, which makes him proud to be employed at Classified Scanning and Shredding.

Photo captions:

First photo: Donna Head (mother), Kevin Head, Melissa Head (sister) and Peter Head (father)

Second photo: Kevin Head and Lifetime Assistance President & CEO James Branciforte

Third photo: front row – John Himmelsbach, Carolyn Fose, Martha Wood; second row – Hector Morales and Kevin Head; third row – Jessica Weiland and Larry Shannon
About NYSID
New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) was established in 1975 and is based in Albany, NY. It's a not-for-profit membership organization with a mission to advance employment and other opportunities for individuals with disabilities. NYSID empowers people with disabilities through approved Preferred Source Program, which was established via Article XI, Section 162 of the New York State Finance Law in order to advance special social and economic goals related to the employment of New Yorkers with disabilities. Member agencies can also partner with private sector New York State businesses, including Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. This network supports government procurement budgets and provides choices for meaningful work and economic security and has proven successful in helping thousands of lives in the process.

The award is named after William B. Joslin, who served as Chief Executive Officer of Human Technologies in Utica and as a member of NYSID’s Board of Directors for many years. NYSID’s Joslin Awards Program was established to honor Bill Joslin’s unwavering commitment to Preferred Source employment opportunities and empowered lives.
About Lifetime Assistance
Lifetime Assistance, Inc. is the largest, most comprehensive agency in the Greater Rochester area serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. It serves more than 1,800 people every day at more than 70 sites providing a full spectrum of individualized services to help children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their maximum potential by promoting self-reliance, independence, dignity and success. Lifetime is accredited by the Council on Quality and Leadership. Only 300 agencies nationwide and just 10% of agencies in New York State have earned this honor, demonstrating the highest quality of service.

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