CAMP HILL, Pa., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arc of Dauphin & Lebanon Counties has named Highmark Blue Shield employer of the year. In addition, the agency has named Highmark employee, Douglas Hardy, as employee of the year.
"Doug has been an outstanding employee at Highmark for a number of years," said Doug's supervisor Helen McCurdy, a Highmark claims supervisor. "He is dedicated and always willing to help others. Doug continues to learn the health insurance business and has received several promotions since he was hired."
Doug, a consumer of The Arc of Dauphin & Lebanon Counties, works as a claims examiner and has been working for Highmark Blue Shield since 2000.
He is involved in The Arc's Supportive Employment Program (SEP), which offers extensive vocational training and coaching to help individuals acquire job readiness skills and skills to obtain employment. The Arc provides support to ensure continued employment. SEP is offered in Dauphin County through the Mental Health/ Mental Retardation System and in Dauphin and Lebanon County through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. All of The Arc consumers who participate in the SEP are employed with local businesses.
"Highmark Blue Shield spends a good deal of time and effort to have a diverse and inclusive workforce and working closely with organizations like The Arc has been very beneficial," said Joanne Watson, employment specialist at Highmark Blue Shield. "Doug is just one of many examples."
The Arc of Dauphin & Lebanon Counties will honor both employee and employer of the year during the Agency's Annual Membership Meeting to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 5:45 p.m. The guest speaker will be Ellie Myers, Dauphin County deputy administrator, who will address questions regarding changes in the future of mental health and mental retardation and how the mission of The Arc fits into that future. The agency is located at the Harsco Center, 2569 Walnut Street in Harrisburg.
About The Arc
The Arc of Dauphin & Lebanon Counties is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to provide services with dignity and respect to persons of any age who have mental retardation. The Arc provides educational, employment, vocational and payment service programs to more than 3,600 citizens throughout Dauphin and Lebanon Counties. The Arc is a member agency of the United Way. For more information on the agency visit http://www.arcofdc.org/ .
About Highmark
Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit http://www.highmark.com/ .
Highmark Blue ShieldCONTACT: Leilyn Perri of Highmark Blue Shield, +1-717-302-4243, orleilyn.perri@highmark.com ; or Nikkii Childs of The Arc, +1-717-920-2727, ornchilds@arcofdc.org