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DDS advisory council unanimously approves 2025 legislative award nominees
Summary
The Department of Developmental Services advisory council voted unanimously to accept its slate of nominees for the April 23 legislative breakfast awards, recognizing self-advocacy, business inclusion, legislative champions and innovative initiatives.
The Department of Developmental Services advisory council voted unanimously to accept the council-subcommittee’s slate of nominees for the 2025 legislative breakfast awards.
The council meeting recorded a motion to accept the nominations, made by council member Kevin Zingler and seconded by council member Damien Williams. Council Chair Patty Silva called the vote; members present voiced assent and the motion carried. The exact roll-call tally was not specified in the meeting record.
The nominations the council approved include Josh Meares for the Self-Advocacy Award; Patty Strzullo and the Hampton Inn (Buffalo Lodging Farmington) for Business Champion; representatives Tom Delnicki (Republican) and Jillian Gilchrist (Democrat) as legislative champions; Futures Kitchen for employment innovation; Metro Realty Group (Jeffrey Sager) for supportive housing/community living; and LoomAbility’s assistive-technology program for enhancing independence. Committee members said Metro Realty’s developments and Futures Kitchen’s employment programs have produced measurable improvements in residents’ independence and employment access.
The council’s approval allows the awards to move forward at the April 23 legislative breakfast in the Legislative Office Building’s Second Floor Atrium; the chair asked nominees and council members to expect further logistical details and invitations.
Council members who discussed the slate emphasized bipartisan recognition for advocacy and public-private partnerships. Kevin Zingler said the nominees were selected to reflect work happening across different municipalities and to “spark other ideas and other development across the state.” Patty Silva said the subcommittee will continue planning and asked council members to participate in the breakfast.
The council also agreed to finalize a printed legislative bookmark for distribution at the breakfast; Christine Haynes said she will send a draft for edits and asked members to reply-all with edits by the following Monday so print deadlines can be met.
No other formal votes were recorded during that agenda item.
