Pioneer Technology Center’s supported employment program was recognized last week at the Oklahoma Association for Persons in Supported Employment (OK-APSE) 21st Annual Conference. Their recognition was as the Supported Employment Service Agency of the Year. Both of Pioneer Technology Center’s supported employment staff members, Ann Kinsinger, employment training coordinator, and Celeste Hardiman, employment training specialist, were present to accept the award. PTC’s program was nominated for the award by supported employment service peer, Vera Cheek of Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

PTC’s supported employment program helps adults with disabilities acquire jobs and maintain their employment. The program consists of two employment consultants who look at the client’s personal strengths and interests and find jobs in the community that match those strengths. With creative use of supports and technology tailored to the needs of each individual and workplace, clients with disabilities work successfully in the community and have the opportunity and support to advance to other positions within that career. If a client needs additional training for a new job, the employment consultants learn the job and then train the client, if needed by the employer.

According to Cheek, "Ann and her program are much respected the Ponca City community. On one occasion, I had the opportunity to visit with one of Pioneer Tech’s client’s parents. They could not stop talking about how much Ann and her program helped their son. I know that even though this supported employment agency is small, they make a big difference in the lives of people with disabilities in their community. On many occasions, businesses have called Pioneer Technology Center’s supported employment office to request perspective employees."

PTC’s program has been in operation since 1997. Peers and clients respect the agency’s professionalism and leadership skills. Kinsinger and Hardiman are always willing to listen to concerns or problems. Their depth of knowledge in supported employment and disability issues adds to the program’s effectiveness. The ladies are eager to share their knowledge and expertise in their efforts of enhancing their clients’ lives.

One of the strengths of the PTC supported employment program is creating job opportunities for people with many different obstacles and severe disabilities. Customizing job searches and creating jobs for people considered hard to employ is a difficult task. The PTC program creatively looks at job opportunities for people with severe disabilities on an on-going basis.

The team’s leadership skills are passed on to their clients. Over the past ten years, several clients have received awards for working in community positions and doing an excellent job for their employers. Even though the PTC district is considered a rural area, clients receiving support from the program have been aggressively placed in jobs were they can receive hourly pay rate increases, benefits, and work hour increases.

Teamwork is also very important to the agency. Listening to clients and their wishes is most important to PTC supported employment. The team makes sure that clients are served in a way that all their needs are met. Kinsinger and Hardiman assist their clients with more than a job search and job training; they have worked with clients to find housing opportunities, transportation, clothing, and basic personal need items in order to serve the person as a whole.

If you would like more information on Pioneer Technology Center’s supported employment program or you know of an individual with a physical, intellectual or mental disability who might benefit from the program, please contact the supported employment office at, (580)762-8336, Ext. 286.