Congratulations, Hailey

Today, we’d like to recognize Imagine! employee Hailey Schauer, who was recently nominated for the Alliance Direct Support Professional of the Year Award.

Here’s what the nomination had to say about Hailey:

Hailey is relatively new as a DSP with Imagine! but from the start she has been eager to learn. She is a natural leader. After a few months of training and learning about how Imagine! functions, Hailey stepped up as a shift leader. She helps other staff organize their shifts so that they can be as effective as possible in assisting individuals with their daily activities as well as in the pursuit of their personal goals. As Imagine! works to help implement new technology to increase their independence and quality of life, Hailey has not only been on board with trainings but has leaned in to do more. She has learned how to assist not only those whose tech plans have been assigned to her but everyone in the home where she works. She has also spent time working with every individual to determine what they need and what they want to get out of technology, and has proposed changes or new plans for how technology can be used. In addition to the work she does with the individuals she serves, Hailey also makes it a priority to help train other staff so that they can assist individuals in the use of their technology. Currently, there is an individual at her site who is learning to use a Dynavox to communicate. Sometimes it feels simpler to ask the individual a series of yes or no questions rather than set up the Dynavox. Hailey understands that the yes or no questions can lead to confusion and frustration for this individual. She makes a point to set up the Dynavox, and encourages other staff to do the same, so that the individual can have a voice. Hailey has also spent a lot of time getting to know the individuals she serves. She understands their insecurities and helps them find the confidence to be their own self-advocates. Hailey also does her best to help individuals get into the community, engaging in fun activities. Sometimes she finds activities for the entire site to attend, like a community dance, and other times she focuses on specific individual desires like going to the grocery store to buy ingredients to bake cookies. The individuals who work with Hailey are well served and supported by her. 

The winner of the Alliance Award will be announced February 27 at Alliance's Annual I/DD Awareness Day at the Colorado State Capitol.