Carey Services is pleased to announce that the Grant County Special Education Cooperative has been honored with the prestigious Community Partner Award at the annual Denim and Diamonds event held on March 2, 2024. The Community Partner Award recognizes outstanding collaboration and support from a person or organization in furthering the mission and vision of Carey Services to make substantial positive impacts and highlights the fact that we are better together. This year, the Grant County Special Education Cooperative was recognized for their invaluable partnership in the concept and curriculum development of the eMPower Academy at Carey Services. The team’s perspective of how Carey Services would need to gear services to meet a younger audience of people with disabilities and their families has been, and continues to be, a key to Carey Services success in “Turning abilities into opportunities.”

The eMPower Academy at Carey Services provides career and life skills training for individuals with disabilities. Through their collaboration with the Grant County Special Education Cooperative, Carey Services has been able to enhance and tailor its curriculum to better meet the unique needs of its program participants.

“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and collaboration we have with the Grant County Special Education Cooperative,” said Jim Allbaugh, president/CEO of Carey Services. “Their expertise and dedication to serving individuals with disabilities have greatly enriched the programs and services we offer at Carey Services. This award is a testament to the impactful work we can achieve when we come together as a community.”

Lisa Graham, executive director of the Grant County Special Education Cooperative noted, “We are honored to partner with Carey Services to ensure that our current students have state-of-the-art opportunities to learn and grow as they become adults, living and working in our local community.”

The Denim and Diamonds event, where the award was presented, is an annual fundraising gala hosted by Carey Services to support its programs and services for individuals with disabilities and those served in early childhood education. The event brings together community leaders, supporters, and advocates to celebrate achievements and raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and empowerment.