Three selected for Hall of Fame

 Congratulations Diane Flahaven-Neu, Jacki Schoenrock, and Lori Valandra, who have been inducted into the Black Hills Workshop’s Employee Hall of Fame. The three were nominated by their supervisors, then selected by past Hall of Fame winners.  They each received $1000 and a commemorative coin. Their pictures and a plaque in their honor will be displayed in the lobby at RSC along with the previous winners.  The Hall of Fame was put in place to identify and honor our organization’s top employees. Diane, Jacki, and Lori were selected for the honor based on their commitment to our mission, vision, and values, and their adherence to our standards. 

               Diane Flahaven-Neu started at Black Hills Workshop in 1994 as a case manager. She later moved to residential/community living supervisor before becoming finance manager in July 2006. She provides daily service as a resource and support assistant to service coordinators in the areas of finance, social security, community programs, Medicaid, Medicare, Prescription D plans, funding, policies, procedures, and general business operations. She works directly with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and maintains a positive relationship with each state employee she deals with. Connie Keyser says the examples of Power of B from Diane’s work could fill three pages. “I don’t think you can find a service coordinator she hasn’t helped with some difficult matter.”

                In the several positions she has held, Diane has participated in every area of the Workshop from direct support to management. She has been very active on a variety of committees including the National Association of QMRPs, Behavior Intervention Committee, Project Committee, Hall of Fame Committee, Employee Enrichment Team, Admissions, Corporate Cup and Relay for Life Committee. She is currently a member of Residential Options, ICAP Service Coordination, Critical Incident Reporting and she participates in ARSD, Accreditation, Hiring, Wage and Hour, Quality Assurance Training, Long Range Planning and Health and Safety committee.

                 When Jacki Schoenrock came to Black Hills Workshop  in 1984, our agency was experiencing a time of growth. We were just beginning to accept individuals with complex behavioral issues, and Jacki’s common sense, compassion, and teaching ability were great assets. The success of the people she supported was an indicator of her ability to meet challenges and provide leadership to colleagues. Later Jacki was promoted to case manager, then lead case manager and supervisor. When the Community Support Services department was created, Jacki worked with her colleagues to create a professional and supportive department. She continues to provide direct service coordination to several individuals, and directly supervises 11 service coordinators, nine associate instructors, and 220 people supported.

                Jacki is also very active in agency committees, including admissions, residential options, Council on Quality and Leadership Team, and Person Centered Thinking. She is a PCT Coach, leader for the SMART System and reporter for Critical Incident Reporting.  Her position as Community Support Services supervisor also naturally gives her many opportunities to represent the agency with numerous community resources such as Behavior Management Systems, the Rapid City Police department, state and federal court systems, local hospitals and nursing homes, funeral homes, various landlords and rental agencies, benefits programs, pharmacies, home health and hospice, social service agencies, counselors, therapists, state funding agencies and more.  Her nominator, Colleen Ronning, says Jacki is knowledgeable and resourceful. “The staff who Jacki supervises can count on her to give them expert advice and ideas of how to maximize community resources to assure independence for the people they support.

                Lori Valandra started at Black Hills Workshop in 1984. She moved up the ranks from associate instructor to community living instructor to service coordinator and then  to lead service coordinator for the Community Support Services Department.  Although her experience is primarily in residential, Lori has vast knowledge of Black Hills Workshop and the disabilities field in general. She has served on many committees including SHARE, Best Practices, Homeless Coalition, Residential Options, EE Team, Native American Cultural Event, and the Independent Service Coordinator Pilot Projects.

                Lori supports 18 people on her case load. Several of these people have children, creating  a need for extra supports. Others have significant medical issues or alcoholism or are aging. Her nominator, Jacki Schoenrock, says that Lori has been dealt with some of the most difficult and unusual situations Jacki has seen at Black Hills Workshop. “I credit her with saving the life of one person served in particular whose associations and lifestyle in Rapid City were sure to lead to her untimely end.” Jacki goes on to say that, “Whenever a call goes out that help is needed somewhere, Lori is quick to answer. She has helped with dozens of moves. Special Olympics, health fairs, bed bug removal projects, bowling, vacation coverage. “

                Congratulations Diane, Jacki, and Lori! You exemplify the values of Black Hills Workshop.