Joy Montz - November DSP Award Recipient

The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities is proud to recognize a direct support professional who works at Independence of Portage County, Inc. as the Portage DD Direct Support Professional (DSP) Award Recipient for the month of November. The recipient is Joy Montz.

Joy Montz is one of the hardest working people in Portage County. Joy has always gone the extra mile. She not only helps people find jobs but to maintain and succeed in their jobs. In many cases, if it were not for Joy's interventions, the person would lose their job. She makes such a strong connection with both the individual and the employer that everyone trusts her and are better employees and better employers because of Joy.

She makes sure she learns the job and does it herself, so this means that she is often found mopping restroom floors, washing dishes, climbing ladders to stock shelves, etc. Joy excels at communicating with all parties and writes weekly progress notes that are so clear that you feel you are right there with her at the job site. Joy has also gone above and beyond, such as helping elderly customers in the restroom, while she was at a store providing job follow along.

Joy exemplifies her name. She is truly one of the most exuberant people that you will ever meet. She is beyond kind, happy, energetic, and compassionate. She brings joy to others on a daily basis.

This is what Mike Henry, her boss at Independence says about Joy:  “She currently has a caseload of 17 people. In that mix of 17, she does follow along, transportation, community-based assessments, on the job supports/job coaching, career exploration, and job development. Joy is also very good at Job Seeking Skills Training which involves, resume writing, interviewing skills, social media management, how to dress for an interview, how to search for jobs, how to network, how to write thank you notes, soft skills on the job, etc.  Joy likes to coach by role modeling a good work ethic. She fades support but wants the people we work with to understand how to go above and beyond the duties of their job. By doing this, she has developed strong relationships with the businesses she works with. The businesses know that if they hire a person supported by Joy, they are going to get value-added and continued supports after the case has officially closed. Many employers have tried to recruit Joy to come work for them, and also reach out to her to see if she has people to fill open positions.”

Joy has worked with over 34 local businesses where she has had placements or provided coaching.

Here is a quote from an OOD Counselor regarding Joy:

"You were Hands Down, THE BEST- Job developer I have worked with in the past 25 years... That is an amazing fete. Your compassion, support, and true effort to help people find employment has been a true blessing for everyone you have worked with. You are doing great things. "

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Month Award is for those staff who provide direct support or direct services for individuals served throughout Portage County.

This award is an opportunity to nominate someone who has gone above and beyond to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, while also promoting independence and inclusion.

Individual award recipients will receive public recognition from Portage DD and will be promoted on our social media channels. Award recipients will also later be considered for Direct Support Professional of the Year.

All nominations will be kept on file for review and consideration for a period of 12 months after initial submission.