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President Don Shumway with Award Recipients | |
GREENFIELD, NH — Crotched Mountain has announced that three of its employees have received Fellowship Awards: Diane Cloutier of Weare, NH; David Kontak of Concord, NH; and Marylou Moreen of Hancock, NH.
Diane Cloutier, MEd, a special education teacher who first joined Crotched Mountain School in 1978, was awarded $5,300 to develop a monthly student news program to be video-streamed on demand through the organization's intranet. The funds will be used to purchase related equipment and training. "In addition to building language skills," she states, "this project will enable students to learn about the filming and editing processes and the creative arts."
David Kontak, MA, MS, OTR/L, director of assistive technology since 2004, was awarded $3,200 to develop musical instruments for persons with sensory, motor, or cognitive challenges. The funds will be used to purchase materials for building adapted guitars, an adapted keyboard, software, and to cover related staff time. "As an occupational therapist and working musician," he states, "I appreciate the therapeutic value of performing music. It is clearly one of the most motivating activities for people of all ages."
Marylou Moreen, RN, BSN, a clinical resource nurse for the Children's Specialty Hospital who joined Crotched Mountain in 2002, was awarded $7,000 to develop and evaluate an effective pain assessment tool to assist non-verbal patients and those with neuromuscular or cognitive impairments. The funds will be used to cover travel costs, research expense, and related staff time. "As a result," she states, "we will improve our nursing practices to better manage pain for a population that may be under treated."
The Fellowship Awards Program was established in 2005 to provide financial assistance for employees who wish to undertake individual projects outside the parameters of their job, but within the context of their field. "Our intention," states Donald L. Shumway, president, "is to stimulate creative thinking in the development of new program or service approaches which will, in turn, directly benefit the students, clients, and employees of Crotched Mountain."
Applicants were required to submit a proposal that included a detailed summary of goals and objectives, a budget, completion date, and a statement about the anticipated results or impact of the project. Recipients were selected based upon a competitive screening process by a multi-disciplinary committee of six employee representatives: Alycemae Flanders of Human Resources; Phil Girard of Information Technology; Mari Hyer-Schacht of Continuing Education; Caroline Seager of Finance; Pam Shea of Crotched Mountain School; and Sherry Wheeler, on behalf of Crotched Mountain's community service programs.
Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing more than 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.
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