Bothwell Regional Health Center receives state Show-Me Disability Inclusion Award

Bothwell Regional Health Center recently received the 2021 APSE-MO Show-Me Disability Inclusion Award at the 2021 Missouri APSE conference in Columbia, Missouri. The award recognized Bothwell as a business that demonstrates exemplary outreach, accommodation and hiring practices that include individuals with disabilities in the workforce. APSE-MO is the Missouri state chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), a national organization committed to improving and expanding integrated employment opportunities, services and outcomes for people experiencing disabilities.

Bothwell was nominated by the Center for Human Services (CHS) for actively recruiting candidates with documented disabilities for real jobs at real wages, integrating them in the hospital setting and providing direct support to help them succeed. Bothwell also works with public and private agencies that support people with disabilities and serves as an advocate for employing people with disabilities to the community and business owners.

“It was our honor to nominate Bothwell Regional Health Center for the 2021 APSE-MO Show-Me Disability Inclusion Award,” said CHS Employment Services Manager Sabrina Selvey. “At Bothwell, it’s not just the supervisors and managers going out of their way to make our clients feel comfortable and encouraged; it’s everyone. It’s a very supportive and family-like atmosphere.”

Bothwell’s Human Resources department regularly reaches out to CHS in search of qualified candidates when positions become available. Staff works directly with CHS staff once a client is hired to make the needed accommodations.

“Bothwell has employed several individuals from CHS,” said Lisa Irwin, Human Resources and Support Services executive director. “CHS makes the hiring process easy and is helpful to both the new employee and the organization.”
When a prospective client is identified as a good fit for the organization, a CHS Employment Consultant accompanies the client to assist with the application and interview process. When a client is chosen, the consultant helps the new employee with on-boarding and orientation, if needed. Throughout their employment, the consultant checks in to make sure everything is going smoothly.

Additionally, Bothwell has served as a host site for the CHS Summer Work Experience (SWE) the last two years. This program, in partnership with the Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation Summer Work Program, gives incoming high school seniors or recent graduates real world experience and training. The SWE spans across multiple departments within the hospital and its clinics. This year, Bothwell offered a position to one of the students who proudly accepted the position. With the experience the student already has, the transition from the SWE to employment will be seamless.

“Each student has been a joy to the department they work in,” Irwin said. “I am pleased that Bothwell has been given the opportunity to partner with CHS and provide students with work experience to succeed in their future endeavors.

Center for Human Services (CHS) and Bothwell Regional Health Center staff at the 2021 Missouri APSE Conference in Columbia, Missouri, where Bothwell received the 2021 APSE-MO Show-Me Disability Inclusion Award. Back row from left to right, Loletta Combs, CHS Chief Program Officer; Kyleigh Hardin, CHS Employment Consultant; Kim Anderson, CHS Director of Employment Services; Carrie Rieman, CHS Business Developer; Regina McClanhan, CHS Job Coach; and Nikki Smith, CHS Employment Supports Coordinator. Front row from left to right, Josh Olson, CHS Employment Consultant; Lisa Irwin, Bothwell Human Resources and Support Services executive director; Donna Sprinkle, Bothwell Environmental Services director; Terri Deer, Bothwell Dietary Services director; Sabrina Selvey, CHS Employment Services Manager; and Catherine McCannon, CHS Employment Consultant.