Pictured, from left, are Christine Jameson and Beth Premetz.

KOSCIUSKO — Two employees of Cardinal Services were honored last week at the Indiana Association of Rehabilitative Facilities Annual Conference in Noblesville. In congratulating the two women, Cardinal CEO, Randy Hall noted that each possesses a strong standard of excellence, which Cardinal strives to achieve in all areas of the company.

Christine Jameson was named winner of the INARF 2019 Keystone Award, an annual award honoring the outstanding Direct Support Professional providing services to people with disabilities in the state of Indiana. According to INARF, qualifying DSPs manifest, through personal attributes and dedication, the mission of the service/habilitation industry.

Jameson was nominated by Cardinal Services for her person-centered approach to services, patience, creative problem solving and “willingness to do whatever it takes to help the people she serves meet their goals of being as independent as possible.”

For example, Jameson helped a person who cannot read or write to write his own checks by creating a booklet containing keywords, numbers and symbols. She then taught him to recognize and make the ones needed so he can copy them onto his checks. Another person is able to order her own prescription refills over the phone with the help of a sticker system Jameson created so that the woman can easily see which medication refill number she needs to give the pharmacist over the phone.

Jameson says that she knows she can work with a person and build their confidence and skills to make them more independent, but it isn’t easy. And sometimes the hardest part is letting go, leaving the house, and letting them do by themselves. Then she adds with a huge smile, “That’s also when it’s most rewarding!”

INARF describes a Keystone winner as – and Cardinal states that this describes Jameson well:

• The first to employ innovative techniques, enriching the quality of services and thus the quality of life for those they serve.
• The first to uphold the rights of individuals with disabilities.
• The first to accept change and insist that such changes have meaning and purpose.
• The first in the hearts of those they serve.

Beth Premetz, support services coordinator at Cardinal, was also honored at the INARF Pre-Conference as one of just 28 industry professionals statewide who made up the inaugural class of the INARF Leadership Academy this year. Premetz graduated from the academy and was recognized as an emerging leader in the disability social services industry.

The academy is a professional development program targeting employees who demonstrate a commitment to the future of our industry, leadership, and a strong drive to achieve greater levels of responsibility. Since the Academy program launched in September 2018, Premetz and other participants have built their capabilities in core areas such as leading themselves, leading others and leading change.

Premetz attended two-day classes monthly for six months and says that the speakers were exceptional, yet she most highly values the relationships she built with her peers while in class. Sharing their knowledge and experience with one another was an invaluable part of the process. Furthermore, she says, knowing that Cardinal prizes her enough to nominate her for the Academy was honor in itself.