Morrison Honors Stephen Blair Recipients At Annual Employee Appreciation Event
 
September 23, 2011 - Portland OR - Morrison Child and Family Services recognized the peer selected recipients of the Stephen Blair Award for excellence at the 4th Annual Employee Appreciation Event held at the Tiffany Center.
 
Honorees
La Quinta Daniels, BA, Case Manager at Hand in Hand Proctor Care joined Morrison in 2011. Ms. Daniels was recognized for exemplifying the Morrison motto of “restoring childhood, rebuilding families, renewing hope.” Ms. Daniels deals with daily crisis situations and has been known to have a phone to each ear as she resolves crisis situations for families. She lives in Vancouver, Washington.
 
Aaron Dobbins, BA, Program Assistant & Childcare Supervisor at Early Childhood PDX–CHIF joined Morrison in 2004. Mr. Dobbins was recognized for creating Morrison’s work study program, keeping program costs down through management and development of new revenue streams and independently seeing that Morrison is represented at college fairs. He lives in Vancouver, Washington.
 
DeeAnna Garcia Dennis, MWS, Director of Diversity and Inclusion joined Morrison in 2005 as Cultural Consultant. Ms. Garcia Dennis was recognized for her work as an advocate for the rights and needs of clients, staff and diverse communities at Morrison. Ms. Garcia Dennis was instrumental in the development of the Latino Service Providers network at Morrison. She lives in Vancouver, Washington.
 
Eddie May, MSW, Outpatient Crisis Prevention Therapist Lead joined Morrison in 2010 as a Specialist Mental Health Therapist. Mr. May was recognized for his work in providing support to children and families in crisis and desperate situations by conducting high level risk assessments in the community, helping families access secured placements and creating plans to keep clients safe. In 2011 Mr. May provided trainings for Morrison staff on helping individuals who are thinking about suicide. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
 
Forrest Turner, BS, Desktop Analyst Support joined Morrison in 2010. Mr. Turner was recognized for taking a leadership role in his department on large projects, dedication to customer service, commitment to professional development and his willingness to do whatever it takes to complete a project. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
 
The Stephen Blair Award was founded in 2009. Named for arts writer Stephen Michael Blair (1974-2008) the award recognizes Morrison staff members for outstanding achievement, excellence, dedication, and making a difference in the lives of our children, families and staff. The award is funded by individual donations. Mr. Blair was the long-term partner of Morrison’s COO Drew McWilliams. Mr. Blair was a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of Morrison’s role in providing mental health services to children.
 
The Morrison Employee Appreciation Event was founded in 2008. Employee Appreciation is funded by Morrison’s Board of Directors and a fund set up by Morrison’s Leadership Team.
 
Morrison Child and Family Services is the leading provider of children’s mental health services in Multnomah County. A private, non-profit organization headquartered in Portland since 1947, Morrison partners with families and communities to provide effective and responsive services for children and youth coping with the mental and emotional issues that result from trauma. For more information about Morrison Child and Family Services, call (503) 258-4200 or visit www.morrisonkids.org.