DDS council approves 2025 legislative awards slate and plans April 23 breakfast

The Connecticut Department of Developmental Services council unanimously approved a slate of nominees for its 2025 legislative awards and set an April 23 legislative breakfast at the Legislative Office Building, council members said.

The nominations presented by the awards subcommittee included self‑advocacy nominee Josh Meares; a business champion nomination for Patty Strzula and the Hampton Inn (Buffalo Lodging Farmington); and proposed legislative champions including Rep. Tom Delnicki and Rep. Jillian Gilchrist. The council discussed balancing partisan representation among honorees and noted several past recipients would not be repeated this year.

Kevin Zingler, a council member, moved to accept the nominations “as presented by the council chair,” and Damien Williams seconded. The chair called the vote, and the council recorded the decision as unanimous.

Members also reviewed nominees for the subcategories of the innovative initiatives award. Faye Lenz and others praised Kitchenette Futures for employment programming. Metro Realty and its president, Jeff Sager, were highlighted for supportive housing projects that members said have created independent living options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For assistive technology the panel advanced LoomAbility and its assistive‑technology work, led in nomination materials by Jamie Martin.

Council members who had direct ties to nominees disclosed they stepped away from those deliberations during parts of the conversation, and staff indicated logistics for the breakfast and outreach materials would follow. The chair said the breakfast invitation and final details would be circulated to members.

The vote to adopt the full slate followed discussion of categories and will be reflected in event materials; council staff and the awards subcommittee will complete invitations and stamps of logistics ahead of the April 23 event.