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AID victim services manager Yesenia Herrera named 2019 Community Care Professional of the Year

During the conclusion of the 44th annual Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities Educational Conference & Expo in Bloomington-Normal, board chairman Tony DiVittorio announced Yesenia Herrera as the 2019 Community Care Professional of the Year.

Herrera is the manager of victim services with the Association for Individual Development in Aurora.

"The leadership and collaborative efforts shown by Yesenia during and after the Feb. 15, 2019 mass shooting incident in Aurora were crucial to a coordinated effort to ensure victims and individuals impacted by the event were connected to a host of services, notably medical and mental health services," said Tony DiVittorio. "The work of Yesenia and her team show the epitome of person-centered care … she is a shining star in our field."

The Community Care Professional of the Year award is given to a frontline staff member working in a member agency that exemplifies quality care, compassion, person-centered focus, and commitment to the individuals and families they support and understands the value of the care professional's work.

"This award is a symbol of the many, many hours of work and dedication Yesenia and the AID Victim and Outreach Services team has provided to our community," said Lore Baker, president and CEO of AID. "Yesenia is truly an exceptional leader and we are grateful for her dedication to our organization and the individuals we serve."

"This isn't just a job for us, but our passion. It is an honor to be recognized by the IARF for the positive impact my team and I have made in the lives of those we serve," Herrera said.

Her nomination was selected from among nearly two dozen nominations from member agencies from across Illinois. The 2019 Educational Conference & Expo was attended by over 350 professionals, para-professionals, and front line staff working in community-based provider organizations serving and supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses from across Illinois.

The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities is Illinois largest trade association representing community-based provider serving children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses. Members provide services at over 900 locations throughout the state. For information, visit www.iarf.org or www.facebook.com/ILIARF/.

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