NAQ: A Place to Learn, Connect & Share 

Congratulations to our Spotlight Award Winners!

September:  Elizabeth Lutmer

NAQ is pleased to announce that the winner of the September 2019 Spotlight Award is Liz Lutmer - a disability professional from the Goldie B. Floberg Center in Illinois.  John Pingo, CEO, submitted the nomination.   

In our experience, change happens when someone rises up to champion a specific cause. Liz has risen up to become our champion for each person's right to be a part of their community. In the past year, she has helped nine people served take their first vacation in their adult life. She has supported people to become involved in a local book club, an Aktion Club with Kiwanis, a gardening club, and sports such as baseball and bowling. She is also helping people served give back to their community by organizing volunteer days for the Kiwanis Brat days, volunteering at a local recycling center, working a spaghetti dinner for the Aktion club and holiday bell ringing for the Salvation Army. She has also taken the lead in organizing an internal get out the vote campaign to support people served to exercise their right to vote in the last elections. She has worked to help people served take advantage of activities put on by our local park district that include movie events, going to see hockey games, dances, cooking classes and going to see the local community college put on a play.  None of this was required of Liz. She wasn't told she had to do it. She saw a need. The basic human need to be a part of our larger communities. To belong. The basic human need for enrichment by trying new things. Liz saw these needs and has become the champion of supporting the people we serve to be a part of and to experience all their community has to offer.

August 2019:  Ashley Van Huis

NAQ is pleased to announce that the winner of the August 2019 Spotlight Award is Ashley Van Huis - a disability professional from Illinois.  Alice Roth-Dean submitted the nomination.   

Ashley makes me feel respected as a parent.  She lightens the stress - from explaining paperwork to simplifying things to giving concrete suggestions for goals - which, in turn,  makes me a better mother.   I'd like to see her acknowledged for her professionalism and kindness.      

July 2019:  Dawn Knights

NAQ is pleased to announce that the winner of the July 2019 Spotlight Award is Dawn Knights - a disability professional from Illinois.  Alice Roth-Dean submitted the nomination.   

Dawn makes a profound difference to our daughter and to us as a family.  She keeps me up to date on changes and does it professionally and kindly.  She is on time for meetings and never cancels. Dawn has seen Taylor go from a child to an adult and is a positive constant in my daughter's life.   

June 2019:  Rumond Taylor

NAQ is pleased to announce that the winner of the June 2019 Spotlight Award is Rumond Taylor - a disability professional from Tennessee.  Lisa Izzi, an Administrator with RHA Health Services, submitted the nomination. 

Rumond thinks outside the box.  For example, he recently began creating PowerPoint presentations for people to show at their annual meetings.  This allows the team to visualize and celebrate the person's accomplishments over the previous year.  Rumond also serves as a mentor to new Qs.  He has 20+ years working in the field and is the true definition of an advocate for those in our care.

NAQ would like to thank Rumond, Dawn, Ashley, and Liz for their dedication, innovation, and positive attitudes.  After all, where would we be without outstanding disability professionals like them?    

Do you know a QIDP or case manager that consistently goes above and beyond – someone who deserves a little extra recognition for a job well done? If so, please nominate them for NAQs Spotlight Award - an honor given each month to an exceptional disability professional.  

Nominate Now!