Didlake

Didlake Hosts Autism Training

Erika — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:15:09 +0000

Manassas, VA – On May 10 and 11, Didlake hosted a training workshop on autism for the Prince William County Community Services Board and other members of the community. The training was led by Virginia Autism Council members Andrew Clarke, Director of Didlake’s Center for Autism Services, and Cindy Gwinn of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Developed by the Virginia Autism Council, the two-day workshop covered topics ranging from identifying characteristics of the disorder to best practices for support of those individuals in their home, work, and community.

The Center for Autism Services is Didlake’s answer to the needs of the growing population of adults with autism. Founded in May 2011, the three-year initiative will investigate those needs and the future direction of services for adults with autism.

For more information on this training, contact the Didlake Center for Autism Services at (703) 361-4195.

About Didlake

Didlake, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Manassas, Virginia. It was founded in 1965 to create opportunities for people with disabilities through services that connect them to employment, education and the community. It provides contract business services for commercial and government customers and has won numerous awards for its facilities maintenance; packaging/ assembly; and administrative services. The organization operates throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area, in the Roanoke Valley and in Greater Hampton Roads. It serves more than 1,600 people with disabilities annually. Didlake, Inc. is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, accredited by CARF and proudly serves the nation through the AbilityOne program. Its partners include the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, local Community Services Boards and United Way of the National Capital Area. For more information, visit www.didlake.org.

Carpenter Celebrates 20 Years with Didlake

Erika — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:07:26 +0000

Bernie Carpenter (center) was recognized for 20 years of service at Didlake, Inc. She is shown with Contract Operations Manager Rick Hightower (l) and President and CEO Rex Parr (r).

Manassas, VA – On May 11, Bernie Carpenter celebrated 20 years of employment with Didlake, Inc. Carpenter, the project manager for Didlake’s Opal Business Service Center in Fauquier County, was honored with a barbecue and cake at the location, as well as a number of gifts. Carpenter’s staff presented her with a desk clock in recognition of her time with Didlake.

At the celebration, Didlake President and CEO Rex Parr said, “There are few words that need to be said on this occasion. And those are that Bernie makes us all look good.”

About Didlake

Virginia Governor Recognizes Autism Awareness Month

Erika — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:47:09 +0000

Manassas, VA –Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has issued a Certificate of Recognition, proclaiming April 2012 Autism Awareness Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The certificate recognizes that in 2011 the Virginia Department of Education identified 11,703 children between the ages of three and 21 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“The statistics are staggering,” says Andrew Clarke, Director of Didlake, Inc.’s Center for Autism Services. “Autism now affects one in 88 births, according to a recently released report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the next few years we will witness an influx of students graduating from school and requiring support services.”

About Didlake

Groff Endorsed as Positive Behavioral Support Facilitator

Erika — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:34:33 +0000

Manassas, VA –Patricia Groff, Quality Assurance Manager for Didlake, Inc., Rehabilitation Department, has been endorsed as a Positive Behavioral Support Facilitator. To receive the endorsement, Groff attended regular classes over an eight-month period, completed a practicum that included two Person Centered Plans and a complete PBS Plan and intervention, received 24 hours of mentoring, completed a portfolio highlighting her skills, and was interviewed by the Positive Behavioral Supports Endorsement Board.

Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) is a comprehensive, research-based approach to behavior change that teaches people with challenging behaviors, and the people who support them, new skills to promote successful living in community settings. The primary goal of a PBS intervention is to improve the quality of life of individuals with behavioral challenges, while reducing or eliminating problem behaviors.

In Virginia, Positive Behavioral Support Facilitators are endorsed through The Partnership for People with Disabilities. This process is a collaborative effort among several agencies, including the Virginia Autism Research Center at the Grafton School, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Additional information about the Positive Behavioral Support Endorsement process may be found at: www.vcu.edu/partnership/pbs.

About Didlake

Didlake Self-Advocates Raise Awareness at Virginia Capitol

Erika — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:32:23 +0000

A group of self-advocates represented Didlake, Inc. at the Coalition for Mentally Disabled Citizens Community for All Rally in Richmond January 16. Self-advocates, pictured left to right, were Joseph Wage, Shameka Hannah, Kathy Weaver, Katie Kelly, and Vincent Jesionka.

Manassas, VA – A group of self-advocates from Didlake, Inc. traveled to Richmond for the Coalition for Mentally Disabled Citizens Community for All Rally on January 16. Their mission was to raise the awareness of state senators and delegates of the needs of Virginians with disabilities. A key issue the group lobbied for was a new initiative for people with disabilities called “Employment First.”

“It’s a tribute to the individuals we support, our staff and Didlake as an organization that we have self-advocates who can go to the capitol, meet face to face with their delegates and senators, speak for themselves and deliver a clear and purposeful message that is well received and appreciated by their representatives,” said Didlake Vice President for Rehabilitation Services John Craig.

The group began the rally outside the General Assembly building on Capitol Square, followed by personal visits with senators and delegates. The attendees included Joseph Wage, Kathy Weaver, Katie Kelly, Shameka Hannah, Vincent Jesionka and Didlake staff John Craig and Donna Tucker.

About Didlake

Didlake Recognizes Employees Who Are ‘Best for Didlake’

Erika — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:29:18 +0000

Didlake Inc. recently cited “Best for Didlake” award winners. Pictured are Didlake President and CEO Rex Parr (from left), Erika Spalding, Paul Martz, Patricia Groff, Maria Arriola, Bandy Emmons-Powell, Emily Basford, Susan Miller and Didlake Board Chairman Richard Ratcliffe.

Manassas, VA – Didlake, Inc. recognized its “Best for Didlake” award winners at the organization’s February board meeting. “Best for Didlake” is awarded to individuals and teams whose daily work exemplifies the mission, vision, values, and goals of Didlake. “I am pleased to recognize these individuals who have made important contributions to our mission,” said Didlake President and CEO Rex Parr. “I applaud their commitment to creating opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities.”

2011 Best for Didlake recipients in the following categories are as follows:

Direct Service—Jamie Hicks, Janitor
Administrative/Technical/Professional—Erika Spalding, Web-Based Communications Manager
Supervisor/Management—Rebecca Crampton, Program Manager
Team Award—CARF Team, comprised of Emily Basford (team lead), Brandy Emmons-Powell (co-lead), Bernie Carpenter, Maria Arriola, Patricia Groff, Paul Martz, Susan Miller.

Winners were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of Didlake employees from throughout the organization. Each winner received a cash award and additional recognition.

About Didlake

Didlake Receives 2011 Champions of Disability Employment Award

Erika — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:14:26 +0000

Manassas, VA – Didlake, Inc. has received the 2011 Champions of Disability Employment Award from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services for the Didlake’s work in the Greater Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The award was created to recognize individuals and organizations from public, private, and non-profit sectors who have ‘championed’ the employment of people with disabilities and gone above and beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to support workers with disabilities.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner congratulated Didlake, saying that the award recognizes a commitment to the common good. “When our country faces challenges, society relies upon role models to inspire success and create hope,” he said. “I know your work will inspire others to hire Virginians with disabilities.”

Past recipients of the award include The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Omni Richmond Hotel, Busch Gardens Europe, the Virginia Department of Health, and former Virginia governor Tim Kaine.

About Virginia DRS

In partnership with people with disabilities and their families, the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) collaborates with the public and private sectors to provide and advocate for the highest quality services that empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society. For more information about DRS, call 1-800-552-5019 or visit www.vadrs.org.

About Didlake

Didlake Receives $1,000 Contribution from Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Erika — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:08:08 +0000

Enterprise account manager Olga Lucia Ney presents Didlake President and CEO Rex Parr a check for $1,000 from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

Manassas, VA – Didlake, Inc. recently received a $1,000 donation from St. Louis-based Enterprise Holdings Foundation. The donation originated from a request by Enterprise employee Olga Lucia Ney, and will be used to further Didlake’s mission to create opportunities for people with disabilities

Didlake President and CEO Rex Parr says that Didlake is grateful for the foundation’s contribution. “We appreciate the Enterprise Holdings Foundation giving back to the community in which they operate. Their contribution will directly benefit people with disabilities in our community.”

The Enterprise Holdings Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings, the company that owns and operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. The Foundation gives back and strengthens through charitable support the thousands of communities where Enterprise Holdings employees and customers work and live.

About Didlake

Shooting for the Stars Raises More Than $124,000

Erika — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:35:06 +0000

Manassas, VA – Nonprofit organizations Didlake, Inc. and the Hylton Performing Arts Center raised $124,525 at their joint fundraising event Shooting for the Stars on Sept. 18 and 19. The event, presented by AmSan, comprised a wine reception and dinner, golf tournament, and shooting competition. The event raised funds through sponsorships, ticket sales, raffle items, and live and silent auctions.

“Shooting for the Stars was a great success in 2011,” said Mike Sawyers, Shooting for the Stars committee co-chair. “Despite trying economic times, we saw an increase of more than 10 percent over last year’s event revenues. We extend our thanks to the sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who made this event worthwhile.”

The Shooting for the Stars committee recognizes its co-chairs, Nathan Gilbert of The Fauquier Bank and Mike Sawyers of ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC, and its sponsors for their gracious support: AmSan, FCE Benefits, Three’s Company, Brown & Brown Insurance, Anthem, Transurban, The Fauquier Bank, ECS Mid-Atlantic, BB&T, Raven, Balfour Beatty, Whiting-Turner, Advantage Physical Therapy, Cavendo, Prince William Chamber of Commerce, CWPS, Gilbane Development Company, KEVCO Building Services, Inc., John Marshall Bank, Sentara Healthcare, George Mason Mortgage, LLC, and Pitkin’s Ace Hardware.

Proceeds from the partnership event support the community-focused missions of Didlake, Inc. and the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

About Didlake
Didlake, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Manassas, Virginia. It was founded in 1965 to create opportunities for people with disabilities through services that connect them to employment, education and the community. It provides contract business services for commercial and government customers and has won numerous awards for its facilities maintenance; packaging/ assembly; and administrative services. The organization operates throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area, in the Roanoke Valley and in Greater Hampton Roads. It serves more than 1,600 people with disabilities annually. Didlake, Inc. is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, accredited by CARF and proudly serves the nation through the AbilityOne program. Its partners include the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, local Community Services Boards and United Way of the National Capital Area. For more information, visit www.didlake.org.

About The Hylton Performing Arts Center
Working together, Prince William County, the City of Manassas, George Mason University, the Commonwealth of Virginia along with many generous private donors and local business members within the community, have brought the Hylton Performing Arts Center from a dream to a reality. The Hylton Performing Arts Center entertains, educates, and enriches the Northern Virginia community by providing diverse and accessible arts experiences in state-of-the-art venues. The Hylton Center is as much a performing arts venue as a community center … from local and regional arts organization presentations to civic the Hylton Performing Arts Center was born out of a partnership among Prince William County, George Mason University, the City of Manassas, the Commonwealth of Virginia and individuals and businesses in the private sector. For more information on the Hylton Performing Arts Center, visit www.hyltoncenter.org.

Didlake Earns Fourth Consecutive CARF Accreditation

Erika — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:33:34 +0000

Manassas, VA – Didlake, Inc. has earned its fourth consecutive accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International. CARF awarded the three-year accreditation to Didlake after a rigorous review earlier this year. The review found Didlake’s services met or exceeded stringent CARF standards and resulted in the highest level of accreditation awarded by the commission to Didlake’s community and employment services.

“Didlake’s commitment to meeting CARF standards has been unwavering,” said Didlake CEO Rex Parr. “CARF sets optimal standards for the efficient and effective pursuit of our mission: ‘To create opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities.’ It is a driving force behind the high quality of service our consumers enjoy.”

The CARF accreditation includes Didlake’s Community Inclusion Programs—licensed day-support services that maintained participant satisfaction rates of at least 95 percent for the past three years. CARF also accredited Didlake’s employment support services, which provide customized job training and consultation to employees to help them expand their skills and grow within their positions.

About CARF
Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. The CARF family of organizations currently accredits more than 47,000 programs and services at more than 20,000 locations on five continents. More than 8.7 million persons of all ages are served annually by more than 6,000 CARF-accredited providers. CARF accreditation extends to 17 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.