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The Honorable Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded to James J. McGuire, Executive Director
by
Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities on
September 20, 2007
Ann Storck Center
Executive Director Jim McGuire recently received the Honorable
Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Lifetime Achievement
Award from the past chairs of the Florida Association of Rehabilitation
Facilities (FARF), the largest trade association in Florida representing
agencies that provide a full array of services to individuals with
disabilities.
Given at the
discretion of the Past Chairs Council, the award recognizes a
colleague’s life’s work and accomplishments in the field. Mr. McGuire
was selected because of his career serving individuals who present
developmental disabilities, achievements that enabled those served,
exceptional leadership in the field, innovations that have enriched the
lives of those served, and his overall advocacy, ability to create
opportunities and improvements in support to individuals with
disabilities. “It is indeed an honor to be recognized by my peers,” said
McGuire. “I look forward to continuing my advocacy for the special
people we serve here at the Ann Storck Center.”
Mr. McGuire has
demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the individuals the Center
serves and has been an unyielding and passionate advocate for the
betterment of their care. Mr. McGuire has served the Ann Storck Center
for 26 years and has built a statewide reputation for providing quality
care and innovative programming for children and adults with severe and
multiple developmental disabilities. Jim McGuire received his B.S. in
Education from Florida State University in 1970 and a Masters in
Rehabilitation Administration from the University of San Francisco in
1978. He is currently working toward his Doctorate in Organizational
Leadership at Nova Southeastern University. He was employed by the
Pinellas Association for Retarded Children from 1971 to 1979 where he
was involved in directing programs in both residential services and
habilitation training. He left Florida in 1979 to become the Executive
Director of Horizon House in Peru, Illinois. Horizon House is a
comprehensive agency providing residential services including an ICF/DD
facility and vocational rehabilitation services. Prior to returning to
the Ann Storck Center, Mr. McGuire was also the Florida Project Director
for Exception, developing residential facilities designed to assist in
the de-institutionalization efforts within the state of Florida. As the
Executive Director of the Ann Storck Center for the past 26 years, he
works with a staff of 347 professionals and para-professionals
providing prescriptive services for five residential group homes and two
ICF/DD facilities with 102 full-time residents, a Preschool for 120+
infants and toddlers and an adult Developmental Training Program for 85
participants. Each of these programs are
accredited by CARF… The Rehabilitation Accreditation
Commission. In June of 2005, CARF once again issued an Ann
Storck Center accreditation report citing exemplary conformance to the
standards.
Mr. McGuire is
active in professional associations, having served on the Executive
Committee and as the former Chairperson of the Florida Association of
Rehabilitation Facilities (FARF). In 1998, he was awarded the FARF
Lifetime Advocate Award for his “extraordinary contributions, above and
beyond the call of duty” on behalf of those with disabilities and their
families. He is also a former member of the Broward Advisory Board for
the Disabled, continues to serve on a number of task forces on health
care issues, and issues regarding individuals with developmental
disabilities.
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