NIRI presents Inclusion Awards.

Groton Parks and Recreation and Carla Kress were honored with the Excellence in Inclusion Awards presented by NRPA at the National Institute of Recreation Inclusion conference. The agency and individual were recognized for efforts in including people with disabilities in recreation programming and inspiring others to develop similar programs.

In being selected for the award, Groton was singled out for its development of an inclusion aide program that recruits, trains and assigns aides to help include citizens in any of its programs. The program is unique in the sense that it is proactive. Normally, agencies look for aides after a request for assistance is received. Groton has trained aides standing ready to help before requests are made. This enables the department to provide immediate assistance to people rather than having them wait several weeks for an aide to be assigned.

The awards committee was also impressed by the leadership the department has shown in serving as a model for the Real Choice Systems Change program over the last three years. As a result of the grant, Groton has developed several new programs, expanded services and refined policies to create a more welcoming environment community wide.

"We couldn't be happier," Eileen Cicchese, the special needs and inclusion coordinator for Groton Parks and Recreation, said. "We have always tried to do our best to stick with the mission statement of providing recreation to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This award just cements that we've been doing a good job at providing those opportunities."

With more than 15 years of service as a park and recreation professional, Kress immersed herself in developing and promoting inclusion services for Eden Prairie, Minn. She currently serves as both the senior center manager as well as the adaptive services coordinator for the city.

Kress received the award for her management of the city's many recreation programs serving various ages and abilities, as well as the hiring, training and supervising of career and intermittent inclusion facilitators. Additionally, she provided and conducted disability awareness training for Eden Prairie City staff and advocated for compliance under both the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Prior to her years with the city, she taught undergraduate and graduate therapeutic recreation courses at Mankato State University.