Ontario ARC Employee Wins Statewide Direct Support Professional Excellence Award

Ontario ARC is pleased to announce that Joan Barkley, a direct support professional with the agency, has been awarded the 2019 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Excellence Award.  Through this award, Joan is recognized for consistently demonstrating excellence, creativity, commitment and high-quality care in providing support to people with disabilities or other challenges.

Joan was hired in September 2012 and initially worked at Ontario ARC’s Pearl Street residence.  After a short time working there, she decided to transfer to the agency’s Parrish Street residence where she has served ever since.

“Joan is a wonderful asset to Parrish Street and an excellent direct support professional,” said Andrea Hill, Residential Supervisor with Ontario ARC’s Parrish Street residence.

Joan was one of only four direct support professionals in the state to receive this honor. The prestigious award is presented in memory of Thomas A. Maul, former OMRDD Commissioner from 1993 to 2006, whose contributions helped address many long standing issues faced by people with intellectual disabilities and other challenges.

This year’s award was presented during a luncheon at The ARC New York’s 70th Anniversary Fall Meeting on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY.