COVA’s identity as a national, state and local leader in public-private partnerships creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities is recognized with awards, conference presentations and accreditation.
National Awards
2010 Lilly Reintegration Award
2007 Lilly Reintegration Award
2006 Lilly Reintegration Award
Eli Lilly and Company recognized COVA’s leadership with the 2006 Lilly Reintegration Award, second place in the Employment category. COVA was chosen for Careers for the Future. The award celebrates the achievements of those in the community who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses, including programs that support people living with severe mental illness, and local and national efforts to improve services and decrease the stigma of mental illness. The Employment Award recognizes those who help individuals develop the skills necessary to find and keep meaningful employment.
2005 New Freedom Initiative Award
In 2005, COVA received the prestigious U.S. Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award recognizing exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities.
COVA was one of only seven organizations nationwide to receive the award, was one of only three non-profit organizations, and was the only recipient who worked on behalf of persons with mental illnesses.
To encourage staff to continue to hold themselves to this high standard, COVA has created the New Freedom Staff Innovation Award which will be presented to an exemplary employee or group of employees in recognition of an innovation that improves COVA’s ability to serve people directly or indirectly. COVA presents the award in October, honoring National Employer Disability Awareness Month.
Conference Presentations
COVA employees are recognized locally and nationally for their unique expertise in the area of vocational rehabilitation for people with mental illnesses and other developmental disabilities. We frequently make presentations at national, state and local conferences. Recent presentations include:
- The United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) national conference
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ohio state conference
- National Rehabilitation Counselor Association conference
- Ohio SHRM Conference (Society for Human Resource Management)
- Disability Management Employers Coalition (DMEC) national conference
National Accreditation
COVA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This accreditation ensures COVA’s services and business practices meet rigorous international standards for quality. |
