2006 DDSD Statewide Awards
The Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) honored the following people and agencies for demonstrating excellence in Supported Employment and Meaningful Day services.  Awards were given in the categories of Best Employer, Individual Accomplishment, Professional Achievement, Provider Excellence, and Best Community Organization.

Christina Madrid

2006 ddsd statewide directors meeting award winners

INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT AWARD IN SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT is awarded to Christina Madrid of Tresco, Inc., in Las Cruces, New Mexico for her dedicated work and contributions to the "For Us Plus" children's daycare center, and for her nurturing relationships she developed with the daycare center’s children, parents and staff. 

Christina Madrid always had a dream to work with children. This dream came true when Olivia Garner and Neda Thompson, co-owners of “For Us Plus Daycare,” hired Christina to work as a childcare aid. Although Christina had sampled many other jobs, she really yearned to work with children. When the daycare opened in May 2004, the owners who wanted to employ individuals with disabilities as part of their staff hired Christina.

In addition to the Tresco staff, Thad Brown, a counselor from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, helped to provide the supports needed to ensure Christina’s success in her new endeavor. Despite the long working hours 5 days a week, Christina greets both parents and children everyday with a hug and a warm smile on her face as she prepares snacks. She also keeps everything spick and span at the daycare center.

What made this wonderful placement such a success for Christina were the caring efforts of Christina’s team, coupled with Christina’s dedicated desire to work with children. Christina’s success is also a result of Olivia and Neda’s vision for offering daycare center services for children with special needs in an integrated after school experience. This gave Christina the opportunity for sharing her heart with the children, daycare staff and parents who use the daycare center.

Neda says, “Christina is an awesome person to be around. She is very caring for the kids and has a good working relationship with her peers.” Valerie Maddox, a teacher at the center agrees, “Christina is in a place where she is needed and wanted and the children are like family to her.”

October-2007 - Dave Farbrook

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