Dedicated, caring people make all the difference

PAI nominated three outstanding direct support professionals for their contributions to person-centered care.

Every year, organizations serving people with disabilities nominate outstanding staff to be considered for MOHR DSP Awards.The MOHR DSP Awards honor individuals employed with a MOHR member agency to provide direct service for people with disabilities. According to MOHR, "Nominees should demonstrate exemplary skills, characteristics and traits that have impacted the lives of people with disabilities, as well as the creation and implementation of innovative and proactive services." This year, PAI nominated three DSPs who consistently met all of these criteria: Kong Vue, Rosey Anderson, and Zach Weimann.

Kong Vue Being person-centered is a way of life for Kong Vue, a Program Associate at the PAI Commerce program for the past three years. From the start of his day until the last person leaves, Kong will find a way to connect with everyone to assure their time at PAI is productive and positive. He is usually the first person individuals see as they arrive and his big smile and happy welcome effectively gets the day started on a great note! Kong’s attentive care for the individuals served reaches across all areas at PAI. He is a job coach that supports workers at Dynamic Air and Park Tools, encouraging all members of the crew to do their personal best and to grow their talents. The Dynamic Air supervisor notes: “Kong is someone we really enjoy having at Dynamic Air. He ... More

Rosey Anderson PAI is pleased to nominate Rosey Anderson for the MOHR DSP Support Award. Throughout her fourteen years of providing excellent care at PAI, Rosey has focused on building strong relationships and meaningful interactions with the people she supports. These remarkable relationships have enabled the people that Rosey serves to experience and participate in a much broader span of activities than they would be able to otherwise. For example, several individuals from PAI recently participated in the Disability Services Day at the Capitol. Phil, one of the individuals in our program, has significant medical needs and experiences significant social anxiety. When Phil faces high-stress situations, he often becomes so anxious and distressed that he has seizures. While these challenges may have deterred some DSPs from bringing Phil to the event, Rosey expertly helped Phil navigate the experience and he had a great time. Some of the ... More

Zach Weinmann Sometimes when you meet a person, their positive energy and passion for doing good sweeps over you. Such is the case when you meet Zach Weinmann and observe him in his role of an Autism Lead and Work Skills Supervisor at the PAI Parkway program. He is a true advocate for the individuals served by PAI, building avenues to enhance relationships, opening up opportunities within the community and enriching lives in personal and meaningful ways.  Zach’s commitment to bring about progressive changes for individuals at PAI can be seen even when the path is not easy. A case in point is when a library staff requested that individuals Zach was supporting not attend the weekly story-telling time due to traits that were seen as disruptive. Zach was not deterred by this rejection and ... More

Thank you Kong, Rosey and Zach! You are truly an inspiration!

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