News and notes from Imagine! and the Imagine! Foundation.

Caitlyn Phillips - 2020 Alliance DSP of the Year Nominee

Feb-04-2020

Employees

Congratulations Caitlyn Phillips, who was recently nominated by Imagine! for the Alliance 2020 Direct Support Professional of the Year.

Here’s what Cait’s nomination had to say about her amazing work:

Cait Philips started as a Direct Support Professional at Imagine! seven years ago, but for over a year she has been in the employment specialist position, and has been such a positive influence. Cait seeks independent jobs for clients in our community. She has placed several individuals in very real, very competitive jobs. Once placing a client, Cait job coaches them in their independent jobs and ensures their success. She is constantly checking in with her clients, their teams, and our partners in the community to find out if she can further assist in their employment goals. Cait’s clients love and respect her.

In the month of September 2019 alone, Cait supported four clients to find independent jobs: one client who was looking for a second job, one client who had lost his job because the company he worked for closed, one client who had left independent employment several years ago and recently decided she was ready to work again, and one who had never held an independent job before. Cait always puts her clients first and uses a person-centered approach to support them in writing their resume, meeting hiring managers, and finding the perfect job fit for her clients and for the businesses. She is an advocate for her clients and supports them in using their voices.

There is no better way to demonstrate the contributions our fellow citizens with I/DD can, and do, bring to their communities than by having them work real and meaningful jobs. When they work hard, pay taxes, and spend that hard earned money out in the community, they are doing what is expected of all of us. Cait is in the trenches every day making that happen.

But don’t take our word for it, here’s a quote from one of the businesses that hires Imagine! clients supported by Cait:

“I’m writing to let you know of the excellent work Caitlyn does in support of Imagine! clients working at the Fair Farm egg washing operation. We have been working with Caitlyn since September and her effort and patience has been the key to the successful integration of “R” and “A” into the workflow. It is a pleasure to watch Caitlyn coach them as they learn the job routine and become part of the team. And Caitlyn goes well beyond her job duties - we were short staffed on Friday after Thanksgiving (R and A were not working), and Caitlyn volunteered to come in and help wash eggs. Caitlyn is a hands on coach, washing/packaging as part of the crew and demonstrating to clients through her actions.”