Dale Rogers Training Center Archives - Page 3 of 12

New DHS Director tours DRTC

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Pass through any of Dale Rogers Training Center’s work floors at DRTC Awards, DRTC Framing or our Vocational Services Program and you’ll be hard pressed to leave without 1) being impressed by the variety and quality of work; 2) hearing from people engaged in DRTC programs about the importance of their work; and 3) a smile. Oklahoma’s Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) and a member of Governor Stitt’s Cabinet appear to be familiar with all three.

OKDHS Director Justin Brown, left, visits with a client of DRTC.

Justin Brown, who was appointed in June to lead Oklahoma’s largest state agency, along with Secretary for Human Services and Early Childhood Development Steven Buck, toured DRTC to learn about Oklahoma’s oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities.

DRTC Deputy Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed., introduced Director Brown to the nonprofit agency’s array of programs, leading the tour through DRTC’s awards and trophies, and picture framing divisions, as well as the Vocational Services Program. Many of those served by DRTC’s on campus programs receive DHS funding to come to work.

Brown recognizes the importance of a united front to serve vulnerable Oklahomans, while maintaining good relationships with community providers like DRTC.

“Building these partnerships… not just funding relationships, but relationships in which our team engages fully and really understands the challenges that those in the community face, that’s the sort of partnership we need to build together,” said Brown.

OKDHS Director Justin Brown, right, speaks with an individual at DRTC’s Vocational Services Program about the subcontract work she’s completing.

Over the course of about two hours, the DHS director visited with many people involved with DRTC programs, and saw the positive impact employment has on their lives. Brown spoke with several people in DRTC’s Vocational Services Program, learning about their individual jobs and complimented them on their work. He also participated with campers in Camp Tumbleweed, DRTC’s summer day camp.

“We’re extremely honored Director Brown and Secretary Buck chose Dale Rogers Training Center to experience a first-hand perspective of the talents and skills of people with disabilities hard at work,” said Copeland.

Governor Kevin Stitt touted Brown’s leadership and problem solving abilities when announcing the appointment.

“He has a passion and desire to help the state deliver better services to those who depend on DHS,” Governor Stitt said.

Director Brown and Secretary Buck also visited fellow United Way partner agency YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. Buck later tweeted on their encounters, “These organizations make outstanding contributions to our community and state. The time definitely helped inform my understanding of employment training and early childhood programs.”

“The positive impact our programs have on people leaves a lasting impact,” said Copeland. “Our folks like going to work, they’re loyal, and they’re part of our community. Inclusion of their unique abilities makes a great difference not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of others.”

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Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

United Way stands … divided we fall

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center is a proud United Way Partner Agency. United Way helps subsidize portions of DRTC’s Adult Rehabilitation, transportation and extended care programs.

United Way also helps subsidize Camp Tumbleweed, which serves youth 14-21 years old with autism and other significant development disabilities.

Hey, buddy! #pwdad2019

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Dale Rogers Training Center

An overcast and drizzly day outside turned into warm, bright greetings in the Oklahoma Capitol on People with Disabilities Awareness Day 2019.

Group photo outside the Capitol.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) gathered a team of individuals involved in its various programs to participate in the annual event put on by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Debbie Ladd, Mobile Workforce Coordinator, assembled the team of nine prior to the six-mile trip down Northwest 23^rd Street to go over the game plan. They reviewed lawmakers to visit, including those located within DRTC’s district, as well as other key legislators. In addition, Ladd also provided handouts from Oklahoma Community Providers regarding legislation that impact people with disabilities to supply to lawmakers and their staff.

Once at the Capitol, DRTC clients visited the offices of approximately 20 lawmakers. However, most were conducting state business and were unavailable. Individuals did a fantastic job speaking with their assistants, introducing themselves and Dale Rogers Training Center, as well as talking about legislation that could impact people with disabilities statewide.

Chris, who has gained agency-wide fame for his famous “Hey, buddy!” greetings, used his signature call on just about everyone throughout the Capitol, including Majority Leader Jon Echols who was on his way to a colleague’s office. The two spoke briefly about DRTC’s visit before taking a picture together.

Chris and Majority Leader Jon Echols.

Well-known work

Gracie Monson speaking with DRTC’s crew.

Dale Rogers Training Center is well known throughout the Capitol. Not only is DRTC Oklahoma’s oldest and largest vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities, but the nonprofit agency also manufactures products used throughout the Capitol building.

“We order plaques from Dale Rogers (Training Center),” said Gracie Monson with Senator Kevin Matthews’ office.

Sonya Barker, Legislative Assistant to Representatives Mark Lawson and Kyle Hilbert told us they have picture frames produced at DRTC Framing, a division of DRTC, in their office.

Dale Rogers Training Center participates in the State Use program, which facilitates contracted work between state agencies and nonprofit agencies providing work for people with disabilities. DRTC currently holds contracts for awards, trophies, plaques, name plates, badges, holders (through DRTC Awards), picture frames and even delineators.

Bills to watch

Dale Rogers Training Center is paying attention to a couple of bills this session:

HB 1290 – Would impact the State Use program by eliminating the 14c Department of Labor Certificate as a condition for participation in the program.

SB 202 – Would affect group home reimbursement from bed capacity to bed occupancy.

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MHA 6th Annual Benefit Fundraiser Dinner

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Dale Rogers Training Center

At first glance, it may be hard to distinguish a connection between Oklahoma City and the West African nation of Liberia. However, the bond between the two could help change lives around the world.

My Heart’s Appeal (MHA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is hosting its 6^th Annual Benefit Fundraiser Dinner Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City.

The event is designed to help raise funds to equip a campus in Liberia, West Africa, where teenagers and adults with intellectual disabilities can train, work and be productive.

Attendees of the benefit dinner will enjoy food, friendship, information, as well as a gallery walk, donation drawing and special entertainment.

Lovetie Major, M.Ed. founded My Heart’s Appeal in 1996 to create more opportunities for people with disabilities like her sister Titema, who has Down syndrome. Major hopes to raise funds to sponsor 40 students at the Connie Thrash McGoodwin Vocational Center in Liberia, West Africa, for the 2018-2019 academic year and sponsorships for 70 clients in its Bigma’s Care Place Respite Center.

Who: My Heart’s Appeal

What: 6^th Annual Benefit Fundraiser Dinner

Where: Church of the Servant, 14343 N. MacArthur, Oklahoma City

When: Thursday, February 8, 2018, 6:00-8:00pm

Tickets: $30/person or table of 8: $225 (RSVP by Monday, February 5, 2018). Register online

Contact: Lovetie Major, 405-603-2799, info@myheartsappeal.org

Dale Rogers Training Center has supported the annual event since 2012, and donated agency vehicles for MHA’s use in 2015.

Founded in 1996, the mission of My Heart’s Appeal is to facilitate the establishment of quality training and employment to teenage and adult persons with disabilities in West Africa. myheartsappeal.org

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

When partnership turns into family

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Dale Rogers Training Center

DRTC’s Mobile Workforce team at Pelco in 2003.

Anytime you’ve been in a relationship for 15 years, you’re bound to have endured many good times while creating cherished memories. The relationship between Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) and Pelco Products, Inc. is no different.

The two partnered with one another in 2002, expanding DRTC’s Mobile Workforce Program, which sends a team of up to eight individuals with disabilities and a DRTC staff member to various locations to complete projects.

Hard at work

Gary displays a kit he made at Pelco.

DRTC’s crew has helped package more than 100 various kits for Pelco’s traffic and utility products. These kits, comprised of anywhere from 2-48 pieces, are used to assemble street lights, stop lights and other products made at the traffic and utility hardware manufacturer’s headquarters in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Upon assembly, completed components assembled by DRTC’s skilled workforce are distributed worldwide. Pelco sells products to all 50 states and international markets as well.

Through the 15-year partnership, DRTC’s Mobile Workforce has produced 3.5 million kits for Pelco.

“I don’t know of one kit that ever came back wrong,” said Phil Parduhn, Pelco Co-Owner.

Pelco President & CEO Steve Parduhn added, “There’s been enough kits that every man, woman, child in the state of Oklahoma could have one of these kits.”

15-year anniversary

Steve and Phil Parduhn, of Pelco, Inc., display the poster presented during the 15-year partnership celebration.

During a 15-year anniversary celebration, DRTC presented Pelco Products a poster framed at Wyman Frame, a division of DRTC, with the words “You Make a Difference,” signed by members of the Mobile Workforce team.

Pelco’s inclusion of individuals at DRTC is notable, from staff luncheons and activities, signage welcoming the crew, or online as the company demonstrates its commitment to community.

“It’s a joy working with you guys, having you here,” said Steve Parduhn. “Being a part of the Pelco family has been wonderful and we really appreciate it.”

The feeling is mutual from Mobile Workforce participants.

“We are family,” said Chris.

“We do a good job and like working the kits,” said Bonnie.

“We are good employees and we get the kits done,” added Sandra.

“Pelco’s commitment to providing real job opportunities for people with disabilities is something that should be modeled in more places,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash McGoodwin. “They (Pelco) have included our individuals, making them feel welcomed and part of the team.”

New opportunities

Kathy installing reflective strips to Pelco’s traffic light borders.

While DRTC’s Mobile Workforce completes the kitting jobs at Pelco’s large facility, others on Dale Rogers Training Center’s main campus complete subcontract work, providing more work opportunities for people with disabilities.

Individuals in DRTC’s Vocational Services Program also help kit items up to 19 pieces. Another subcontracting job with Pelco creates jobs for people with disabilities by having them install reflective tape along the edges of massive traffic light borders.

Bright future

As we celebrate the success we’ve had in the past, we continue to look toward the future.

Dale Rogers Training Center is excited for what’s to come with Pelco and the exciting opportunities for those served to develop skills and earn a paycheck.

DRTC, its clients, and their families are eternally grateful for the partnership, and relationships formed over the past 15 years.

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About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

2017 Employer of the Year

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), Oklahoma’s oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities, received the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns’ 2017 Employer of the Year Award.

The annual award honors employers for outstanding hiring practices and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

DRTC provides training or employment opportunities for 1,000 people with disabilities every year. The nonprofit agency, which received it’s third consecutive CARF Accreditation in 2017, offers many programs to provide opportunities for individuals served. Last program year, individuals in the nonprofit’s programs earned $5 million.

Dale Rogers Training Center also operates a Transition School-to-Work program, working with high school juniors and seniors at 17 schools in the Oklahoma City metro to equip them not only with work skills, but also personal and self advocacy skills.

As an entrepreneurial nonprofit, DRTC runs DRTC Awards (awards, trophies and promotional items division), as well as DRTC Framing (custom picture framing division), and holds custodial and food service contracts at Tinker Air Force Base, FAA and other locations.

DRTC FAA Work Project location honored

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center’s (DRTC) AMP-300 Facility Services Staff, which is the building and maintenance division at the nonprofit’s FAA contract, was honored with the 2017 Keller-Sullivan Award.

The National Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees with Disabilities (NCFAED) presents the award annually to honor employees or supports who go, “above and beyond their expected responsibilities to achieve unique hiring, promotion or advancement results for those who struggle daily with a physical or mental disability.”

Carrie works at DRTC’s FAA Work Project

Approximately 36 of DRTC’s 50 FAA contract employees have a documented disability, and they earn above minimum wage while receiving excellent benefits. The team is responsible for cleaning 88 buildings at Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.

The award presented to contract staff was made at DRTC Awards, a division of Dale Rogers Training Center specializing in customer acrylic awards, plaques, trophies, medals, promotional items and more.

Branding your business

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center, Inc. (DRTC) recently opened its doors for state agencies and businesses around the metro to learn more about branding items through DRTC Promotional Items, a division of DRTC, which provides training and jobs for people with disabilities.

Some of the nation’s top promotional items suppliers setup various displays at the nonprofit’s main campus for the Dale Rogers Training Center Round-Up, showing attendees the newest items. Many left with new ideas to help advance their agency’s/company’s brand.

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DRTC Promotional Items places orders through suppliers, who then ship the items to DRTC. The “Swag Team,” comprised of people with disabilities, performs a rigorous quality check on every item, which is not the industry norm; typically, promotional items are “drop shipped” to the customer where errors with the order may be discovered. DRTC’s Swag Team catches these issues before the customer receives the order and works to fix any errors that may arise.

Kathy, Shon and Waneta, members of the Swag Team, explained to attendees why they would reject various items, from incomplete logo, to non-functioning zippers, to missing components and more.

Visitors also toured parts of the nonprofit agency, learning more about awards and trophies, also through DRTC Awards, as well as picture framing division DRTC Framing, and Robin’s Corner Gift Shop, featuring items packaged/assembled by people with disabilities.

Dale Rogers Training Center, and its divisions, are open Monday-Friday, from 8:00am-5:00pm. To schedule a tour, please email pr@drtc.org.

About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

DRTC & United Way

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Dale Rogers Training Center

United Way PARTNER AGENCIES!

Do your display materials need an upgrade? Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) Awards and Promotional Items, can help!

Whether you need a special theme lapel pin or button, your agency logo on drink ware, or even new tablecloths sporting your branding, DRTC Awards and Promotional Items is ready to help you share your mission with others.

Our dedicated staff is ready to assist you with

your order and answer any questions. Call Colleen Jackson at (405) 946-1079 Ext. 1609 or email PromoSales@drtc.org with any inquiries.

It is OFFICIAL – Dale Rogers Training Center is licensed by United Way Worldwide to sell products bearing localized United Way and LIVE UNITED trademarks.

About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

DRTC earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Dale Rogers Training Center

CARF seal

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), Inc., a nonprofit agency that provides training and jobs for people with disabilities in Oklahoma, earned a Three-Year Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International.

The Three-Year Accreditation, which is the highest level awarded by CARF, is DRTC’s third consecutive certification at the three-year rating since 2011.

“The results of our latest CARF survey are a testament to our commitment to person-centered philosophy, as well as to the hard work and dedication of the staff at DRTC who ensure quality services for those served by the agency,” said Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M.Ed., DRTC executive director.

Surveyors visiting DRTC witnessed the agency’s commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality. In their report, they mentioned strengths in many areas, including customized services for clients, a high level of satisfaction from the parents & caregivers of those served, and an engaged and dedicated Board of Directors.

Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M.Ed. DRTC Executive Dir.

“This was one of the most thorough CARF surveys DRTC has ever been part of and we are absolutely thrilled with the results,” added Thrash McGoodwin. “The latest accreditation further solidifies DRTC as a champion of promoting the unique capabilities of people with disabilities whom we help gain independence through employment and work opportunities.”

Learn more about the CARF Accreditation process.

About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

About CARF International: Founded in 1966, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Through accreditation, CARF assists service providers in improving the quality of their services, demonstrating value, and meeting internationally recognized organizational and program standards. Learn more about the accreditation process at CARF.org.

Category: Dale Rogers Training Center

New DHS Director tours DRTC

United Way stands … divided we fall

Hey, buddy! #pwdad2019

Well-known work

Bills to watch

MHA 6th Annual Benefit Fundraiser Dinner

When partnership turns into family

Hard at work

15-year anniversary

New opportunities

Bright future

2017 Employer of the Year

DRTC FAA Work Project location honored

Branding your business

DRTC & United Way

DRTC earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation

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