Transparency
Dan Strauss
Whether it’s helping personal causes like suicide prevention and awareness, or being a voice on the Far Northern board Dan is a voice of passion and heart.
Dan always brings an insightful perspective to all the committee’s that he belongs to. He views all angles, and considers what is truly helpful to the Developmental Disability community. He is passionate, kind, patient, and caring. Dan thinks outside the box to make any training, or meeting that will be presented to the community enjoyable and interactive. Dan is fine to stand in the background, giving ideas, helping others, and making sure others are in the spotlight. He truly is a great man, father, and advocate. There is a saying “not all heroes where capes” and Dan is one of those heroes.
Compass, Siskiyou County Staff
Compass staff located in Siskiyou County have gone over and beyond so many times it might be easy to take their excellence for granted. During the recent fires in Siskiyou County (McKinney and Mill), Compass North touched base with every one of their clients during both fires: those who faced an immediate need to evacuate, and those who were anxious and needed assurance even if outside the evacuations zones. Compass staff drove to a client’s residences if they were not answering the phone to ensure they had left and had a safe place to go. Even though some staff and clients were just coming back from a retreat when the Mill Fire broke out, Compass staff put their clients first and made sure they had family, a motel, or someplace safe to stay. As multiple Siskiyou Opportunity Center staff had homes in the evacuation zone, Compass worked with the SOC to pick up clients at the program or mutually agreed drop off locations on the day the Mill fire broke out in order for SOC staff to leave as soon as possible to grab and go needed items from their own homes as well. This is just one example of how Siskiyou County Compass staff goes the extra mile.
Another example of Compass going the extra mile centers on a client, who was likely abused, and then abandoned suddenly by her family. Compass worked with this client’s Service Coordinator and, despite how busy they were, helped the client access domestic violence supports and find a safe place to stay until on-going supports could be put into place.
The staff in Siskiyou do not give up on clients and always see the potential in whomever they serve. They truly go over and above.
Allen Dickens and Nikki Alworth
As I’ve transitioned to a new caseworker for my son, both of these people have been so supportive of me and willing to advocate for my son. We miss Al so much, he personally changed my life and brought so much positivity into my life when I was struggling with a cancer diagnosis and Nikki made my worries about a transition to a new caseworker just completely disappear. She doesn’t just help me provide the proper tools for my son to grow and deal with ever-changing exposures, she also shows us immense kindness, just like Al. Both of these people have made an incredible impact in my son’s life as well as mine. I’m so grateful.
Impact Solution
Since entering the Siskiyou County, Impact Solution has gone over and above with finding employment, making community connections and supporting clients during disasters. There are not enough words to express the gratitude for all that they have done! During the most recent fire that swept through the community of Lake Shastina/Weed, (Mill Fire) the Impact Solution team made contact, assisted in evacuating and even housed clients that were evacuated so they had a safe place to stay. This is not the most notable event but only an example of how this team is chock full of super heroes! We are ever grateful that Impact Solution chose to expand into Siskiyou County and have jumped with all feet in providing excellent supports ensuring that clients are part of their chosen community and always exceeding expectations!
Melanie Drakulic
Melanie has been an amazing resource to the Far Northern Regional Center community for over 20 years. She takes great care in evaluating individuals and shares her findings in the kindest, most gentle manner. If you have worked with Melanie, you know how thoughtful and compassionate she is with clients and their families. Melanie is vital to the intake and eligibility determination process at Far Northern Regional Center. We appreciate all her hard work and dedication.
Connie Webber
Connie has worked with regional center clients for many years. She has worked very hard to help clients access much needed mental health and physical health care. Connie provides much needed education to health care providers, nursing students, caregivers, and client. She advocates for clients daily, but goes above and beyond to help clients who are in crisis. Connie has a heart of gold and truly cares for regional center clients. She is truly a Superhero!
Jullie Calkins
Jullie Calkins has worked diligently to implement participant-driven, person-centered resources throughout Shasta County for the last several years. Through her work at Sunrise Mountain Wellness Center, she has increased inclusivity and meaningful community engagement for many diverse populations. When approached with the idea to partner with Far Northern Regional Center’s Paid Internship Program she embraced the opportunity and strongly advocated with her management. She thoughtfully incorporated strategies that would support the goals of the intern placed at her site and diligently integrated him into the community. Not only does she recognize him as part of their workforce currently, she is actively taking steps to create additional paid positions within her organization as well as more internship positions. Jullie treats each individual she encounters with unconditional high-regard and as an equal.
Jullie is instrumental in supporting and hiring peer support specialists who have autism and other neuro divergent learning styles.
Jullie truly is the embodiment of inclusivity and empowerment for all people. She provides excellent training and education to the interns and mindfully creates a workforce that treats all individuals with dignity, respect, and as a valued part of the team.
Coach Dennis Cahill
My son is supported by FNRC and is a sophomore at Shasta High School.
He is on the JV football team at Shasta High School. When my son first started, I had a private meeting with his coach Dennis to explain just a little about my son, and why he wasn’t as involved with the team at practice, but how important the team was to him.
Coach Dennis shows such great leadership for the team, includes every player, and doesn’t leave anyone out. He encourages all the team players to work together to treat each other equally with respect. With the coach setting the positive example, all of the members of the team started treating my son like any other football player.
He supports my son and gives him the opportunity to grow with positive feedback. Coach Dennis has a great attitude and has overwhelming patience with all the players.
He is definitely a superhero in my eyes.
Ronda Kramer
Ronda is the Program Director for our nonprofit, HICAP: Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program. She has dedicated her career and much of her free time to ensuring that aging adults in our community are fairly and adequately represented in their healthcare needs. When she’s not diligently working for the cause, she’s deeply involved with her families ambitions in rebuilding the ridge by opening new small businesses in Paradise and Chico to further serve the community. She’s an incredible leader, parent & grandmother!