2013 Annual Award Recipients

PDP Executive Director's Award

Catherine Reynolds

Graphic Designer

Instructional Technologies

Since Cat began her career at PDP in 2008, her eagerness to acquire new skills and contribute in new ways has always characterized her actions. A prime example of this is when PDP introduced Lectora as a new development tool, she was eager to acquire this new skill. When an opportunity presented itself to work on a course for OCFS, she immersed herself in creating objectives, writing scripts and designing interactions. She created dozens of custom illustrations for the course, and oversaw photo shoots and voiceover recordings. Some of this involved a steep learning curve, and Cat put in many extra hours in order for the project to be completed by the required deadline. In addition to her many PDP contract assignments, Cat is the graphic designer for PDP’s Communique willing to go the extra mile to make sure the layout and design is always of the highest quality. She is consistently upbeat and quick to offer assistance and support to others when the need arises. Given her ongoing outstanding contributions in support of PDP, Cat is a most worthy recipient of the Executive Director’s Award.

PDP Outstanding Team Award

TA Budgeting and Coding

Team Members include: (Pictured) June Mastan, Diane Hodurski-Foley, Debbie McGuire, Peter Kircher, (Eugene Monaco). (Not pictured) Katy DeCorah, Ed Skawinski, Rebecca Stanley, Hollie Vitola (retired), Annalee Lasch, and Greg Sides.

The TA Budgeting and Coding Design and Development team reconstructed, revitalized and expanded this mega course that is hosted on TrainingSpace.org, an e-learning resource for the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office of Children and Family Services. 44 modules were updated, redesigned, and rewritten and an additional 8 modules were added. Staff for several internal units complemented each other’s skills and talents and worked collaboratively to produce this high quality training product under aggressive timelines and with no sponsor relief from other contract demands.

Sponsors have recurrently expressed their great appreciation for the hard work and high quality result achieved by this dual contract project team. The grace and teamwork exhibited by team members made the project a great success!

PDP Outstanding Trainer Award

Ed Perka

Senior Education Specialist

Substance Abuse Education Project

Ed Perka has been the sole trainer on the Substance Abuse Education Project for the past two years and has met all contracted deliverables. This past year, Ed conducted 83 days of training, reaching 1,194 participants from local Departments of Social Services and voluntary child welfare agencies. He has taken a very proactive approach to setting-up a training schedule that is inclusive of all regions throughout the state, and has done an excellent job in promoting the courses offered under this project by building solid relationships with key individuals in agencies.

Ed is a team player and has worked with staff across many projects on a variety of topics. He is recognized by colleagues and project sponsors as having expertise in the area of substance use disorders and is readily available when child welfare substance use questions arise.

Ed is committed to staying current in the frequently changing field of alcohol and drugs along with child welfare practices. Earlier this year, Ed presented a workshop at the 14th Annual NYS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP) Conference in Buffalo.

PDP Outstanding Professional Staff Award

Lakia Green

Education Specialist

Child Care Subsidy Training Project

Lakia proposed and was supported by PDP’s Leadership Team in conducting a multi-facet Personal Diversity study project that included staff surveys, development and delivery of diversity training program and assessment, and conference presentation and paper. Developing the program on her own time, Lakia has brought a new way of looking at diversity to PDP that emphasizes personal change and growth.

Her passion for this topic is infectious and her continued growth in this area is an inspiration to others. PDP program participants praised her training program as one of the best they had ever taken and Lakia delivered additional sessions as there was such demand from her colleagues. Lakia has shown herself to be a true leader in the field professional development.