Gary Smith Scholarship for Public Managers 2020 Winner Announced
The Gary Smith Scholarship for Public Managers was established by the NASDDDS Board of Directors in honor of Gary Smith, an extraordinary leader in the developmental disabilities field who was intensely committed to making state government developmental disability agencies effective at delivering good service and achieving positive outcomes for people. Gary served in senior management positions in the states of Illinois and Colorado. As the Director of Special Projects for NASDDDS from 1987 to 2001 and an expert in state operations and the use of Medicaid to fund services, Gary was well known for confronting state agencies with respectful criticism and the challenge to perform better and helping them do so.
The Gary Smith scholarship supports the participation of professionals working in state government I/DD agencies in the University of Delaware National Leadership Consortium twice during each year.
NASDDDS is pleased to announce the first award recipient of 2020 was Tracey Cunningham-Martins. Ms. Cunningham-Martins has spent 30 years in the field of supported employment for individuals served by multiple state departments to include The Division of Developmental Disabilities, The Department of Veterans Affairs, state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and Ticket to Work. She has been the Director of Employment and Community Based Day Services, successfully assisting organizations in transformation projects and building successful employment teams, in multiple states until settling in Rhode Island as the Associate Director of Employment with the state. Other roles have included Essential Lifestyle Planning Coordinator, Transitional Services Coordinator, Grant Writer, Job Developer and Job Coach. Recently completing her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Martins is CESP certified, a former Advisory Board President at the Department of Transitional Assistance, member of the Greater Boston Employment Collaborative and former board member of New Bedford ARC and Yonkers Private Industry Council.
NASDDDS Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff, offer sincere congratulations to Tracey on her scholarship!
FMI about the Gary Smith Scholarship click here