OK-APSE, the Network on Employment held our 20th annual conference on

March 27th and 28th in 

Oklahoma City
, 
Oklahoma

. It was a huge success

with over 420 people in attendance, including about 175 consumers.

David Harp was the keynote speaker and he got everybody involved and

excited as he taught us to play the harmonica.  He also did several

break-out sessions on stress management.  We had Vicki Farrara from

Rhode Island

 do a couple of sessions on Job Development and Marketing.

Wendi Quarles from 

New York

 presented on Consumer Driven Services and

Providing for Long Term Job Success.  We had sessions on disclosure

issues, transitions from school to work, WOTC and the Federal Bonding

Program and work incentives, and several more relevant issues.  Since

our consumers see this as their professional conference, OK-APSE

provides a consumer track which offers cutting edge career training in

such areas as interview techniques, how to loose a job in eight simple

steps, appropriate work clothing on a budget etc.

Our awards ceremony was made special with David Harp serenading the

award winners.  The Justin Dart Advocacy award went to W. (Mary) Walters

for outstanding advocacy.  The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor of

the Year is Kathryn Klammer of 

Tulsa

 and the DDSD Case manager of the

year is Stan Vavra of Vinita.  The Professional of the Year is Jamie

Gfeller of Oklahoma City, who is retiring later this year after about 20

years involvement in supported employment.  The Residential Agency is

NewCare in Adair and the Supported Employment Agency of the Year is

Central
 
Technology
 
Center
 in 

Sapulpa

.  The Employer of the Year is Lowes

Home Improvement #1580 of 

Tulsa

.  The Employment Specialist of the Year

is Sherri Petty of 

Central
 
Technology
 
Center

.  We have four Supported

Employee Award winners: Adrian Stroud of 

Tulsa

, Lisa Dian Wilson of

Sapulpa
, Jennifer Crowl of 
Ada
 and Jarrette Hall of 

Oklahoma City

.

Ok-APSE is pleased to be able to continue to offer a free conference

because of the continued support from the Department of Rehabilitation

Services, the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the

Department of Human Services, 

Oklahoma

 Developmental Disabilities

Council, The Zarrow Foundation, The Donna Nigh Foundation and BIOS

Corporation.  We are grateful for the continued support and belief in

our mission from these organizations.

Teri Egner M.S., LPC

OK-APSE, the Network on Employment President