Cathy Belrose, Residential Services Shift Coordinator Named Employee of the 4th Quarter

Hard working.  Great attitude.  Team player.  Dedicated.  Always smiling. These are just a few of the phrases people used when nominating Cathy Belrose as Employee of the Quarter.  Cathy has worked for The Arc Otsego since 1997, first as a Habilitation Assistant at Hyde Park Day Habilitation and then, beginning in March of 2008, as a Residential Shift Coordinator at the Estli IRA.  As a Residential Shift Coordinator, Cathy must set the tone for the shift and serve as a role model to staff and the individuals living at the residence.  As the lead person on the shift, she is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of her team, providing direct support to the individuals living at the residence and making sure that their needs and concerns are at the center of all of the team’s activities. 

Based on the nominating letters, Cathy has succeeded on all counts.  Cathy is always willing to pitch in, work extra hours and approaches the need to perform additional duties with a positive attitude.  She is a team player and a leader who lets staff know that their efforts are appreciated and offers feedback in a constructive manner.  She is also a truly creative and caring individual who is committed to providing the best quality of life possible for the individuals the agency serves and by her example, encourages others to do the same.  One nominator wrote “I feel very strongly that Cathy Belrose deserves recognition for her hard work and dedication to The Arc Otsego and its consumers.  Just as she takes the time to tell us how hard we work, someone should take the time to tell her.”  The Employee Nomination Committee agrees, and has selected Cathy Belrose as the Employee of the Quarter.

Cathy joins the other 2009 Employee of the Quarter recipients, Jillian Barbera; Medicaid Service Coordinator; Tammy Ruckhaber, Direct Support Provider; and Wendy Buckley, Human Resources Coordinator.  The Employee of the Year will be announced at an awards luncheon in December.