Jimmy Plaskiewicz, a client of the Southeast Michigan In-Home Services program, received the Life Time Achievement Award from Monroe Community Mental Health on May 19. “JP” lives in his own apartment in Monroe with support from In-Home Services staff. He has worked at Taco Bell for more than 20 years and is active in a variety of sports including bowling, hockey, soccer and basketball. “JP is a joy to work with, and the Monroe County In-HomeServices staff are very proud of his accomplishments,” said Sue Start, regional director for In-Home Services.

Lutheran Social Services was named “Outstanding Provider of the Year” and seven Lutheran Social Services staff were honored October 8 at the annual awards dinner of The Mon-Arc of Monroe, an advocacy group for persons with disabilities. All award winners were nominated by people in the community. Laurie McKinney, support services supervisor in In-Home Services, received the Distinguished Service Award. Staffers Rita Livingstone, Jean (Margaret) Davis, Stephen Hakeous, Elizabeth Carroll, Candice Miller and Savanah Donnelly received Outstanding Caregiver Awards.

The Mid-Michigan In-Home Services program based in Midland recently had its first audit with the Department of Community Mental Health and was 100 percent compliant, with no citations. “The auditors were very impressed with our client and in-home emergency assessments and asked to use them as examples for other providers,” said Manager Tammy Hynes. “I am so proud of the staff and the way they all pulled together to get organized and show what a shining example our program and services are.” 

Dee Campbell, a client of Lutheran Social Services’ In-Home Services program in Saginaw, was honored by the Saginaw Community Mental Health Authority as an “Everyday Hero” at an award ceremony May 25. Blind since birth, Dee learned to take care of herself and was active in the community, helping others with vision problems. But Dee developed a disabling fear of being away from home. She became a virtual prisoner, rarely leaving her home for 15 years. She finally realized she needed some support to remain independent, and chose Lutheran Social Services to provide it. Latasha Patton helped her ease back into the community. Now Dee does her own grocery shopping with Latasha’s help, and attends dances and parties. She’s looking forward to teaching Braille to blind children at a local school.