Six local area business firms and four individual clients of the Central Technology Center Supported Employment Program were given special recognition by Gov. Brad Henry in ceremonies at the Governor's Mansion Pavilion Tuesday, Dec. 7th , in Oklahoma City.

Of thirty awards given during the 19th Annual Governor's Disability Employment Awards Ceremony, ten were given to Central Tech clients and/or employers. Mistress of Ceremonies for the event was KOCO-TV news anchor Kimberly Lohman. Also participating in the ceremonies was Howard Hendrick, Henry's Cabinet Secretary for Health and Human Services.

Laurice Adkins, Tulsa , is a Supported Employment Program (SEP) client at Central Tech, Sapulpa , and employed at Wal-Mart as a returns stocker for the past four years. Laurice recently completed a Practical Living class at Tulsa Community College where she worked to improve her academic skills and independence in daily living. Lohman noted that "Laurice has learned to view life's challenges as stepping-stones and seizes every opportunity to enrich her life and the lives of those around her."

Candace Hollinghead, Sand Springs, has been employed as a customer service representative at the Wal-Mart store in Sand Springs for three years. Her employer says that Hollinghead has worked in several departments of the store, including house wares, fabrics, crafts, and domestics, and has become a valuable employee because of her willingness to do anything that is asked of her. Candace loves to travel and often takes trips with others from her church.

Rose Winton, Cushing, is a sales clerk at the Braum's restaurant in Cushing. After five years of employment at that store, Winton is an award winning employee, having been recognized repeatedly for her work ethic and safety record on the job. Store officials say "Rose exhibits a sense of dedication, loyalty and desire to give good customer service, which makes her an asset to her employer."

Forrest Wright, Cushing, is a lawn and garden associate at the Wal-Mart in Cushing. There, Wright has become a certified forklift operator, one of his personal goals he expressed when he began employment at the store last spring.

Employers participating in the Central Tech Supported Employment Program that were honored by Gov. Henry included Braum's Restaurant in Cushing, Margie's Restaurant in Sapulpa, Overbilt Trailer Company in Drumright, Pizza Hut in Cushing, and Wal-Mart stores in Sand Springs and Sapulpa.

Wal-Mart stores in Sand Springs and Sapulpa were cited for their exceptional support of the Supported Employment Program and its clients. The Sapulpa manager, Elaine Murray, currently has four SUP individuals employed in various jobs and she and her staff assign work schedules to fit each employee's individual needs, being particularly sensitive to the challenges some of them face in receiving certain program benefits.

Teressia Kehr, manager at the Sand Springs Wal-Mart, currently employs sixteen persons through the SUP program in a variety of jobs including cashiers, food handlers, stockers and cart collectors. "Our supported employees are treated just like everyone else who works in our store and they receive the same benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave and retirement," says Kehr.

Ronna McLain, manager at the Cushing Braum's store, was praised by the Lohman for making all necessary accommodations to assist SUP employees, including the adjustment of work schedules to accommodate transportation issues and personal activities.

Linda Wilson, manager of Margies Restaurant , employs two Central Tech SUP clients and works closely with the SUP Job Coaches to allow other clients to visit the restaurant for situational job assessments and participate in mock job interviews.

Bill Shiffmacher, general manager at Overbilt Trailers, has hired several people in the SUP program in recent years. Central Tech Job Coaches praise him for "understanding the needs of supported employees and working to accommodate their needs to insure their success. Overbilt has been very open to hiring persons with disabilities and has carved out job duties for supported employees that needed to work," say CT coaches.