NANCY HILL AWARDED FIRST COSTA MILLER SCHOLARSHIP

Nancy Hill, a five-year staff member of Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, Inc, (SIRS) was the first recipient of the new Costa N. Miller Scholarship by the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (INARF). INARF is a statewide membership organization that provides leadership and support to its members to help effectively provide for the comprehensive needs of people with disabilities in Indiana.

The Costa N. Miller Scholarship was established in March of 1999 by the INARF Board and its affiliated corporation, Association of Rehabilitation Facilities of Indiana, Inc. (ARFIN), to commemorate and honor the lifelong contributions of Mr. Costa Miller, the former Executive Director of INARF. Mr. Miller’s entire career was focused on enabling people with disabilities to have a better life. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash from four different Indiana governors. He was considered a visionary by those who knew him, a true servant leader, passionate about inclusion for persons with disabilities. In June of 2004, Mr. Miller passed away and as a tribute to his tremendous dedication, a number of friends, family members, and professional colleagues contributed to the Costa N. Miller Scholarship Fund, making the first award possible. The first $1000 scholarship was awarded to SIRS’ Nancy Hill at the 2005 INARF Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 16th, 2005, in Indianapolis. Hill was selected from a pool of candidates from throughout the state of Indiana.

As a Community Resource Specialist for SIRS, Hill’s duties include coordination and delivery of direct, community-based services for adults with disabilities in Warrick County. She is currently enrolled at Ivy Tech State College working on her degree in Social Sciences. Upon completion of her coursework at Ivy Tech, Hill plans to pursue her Masters degree at the University of Southern Indiana.

According to SIRS’ CEO, Kelly Mitchell, “Nancy has great regard for her clientele and the quality of her work. She displays the utmost concern for family rights and confidentiality.” Hill was chosen as the first recipient of the Costa N. Miller Scholarship based upon her commitment to individuals served, her leadership abilities, and her service to the community. As part of the application process, several letters of support from staff and customers of SIRS’ services were sent on Hill’s behalf.

In addition to maintaining full-time employment with SIRS, pursuing her degree, and raising a family, Hill also volunteers for community organizations specifically those involving disability-related issues. She has worked with a local self-advocacy group and works with other SIRS employees in planning and coordinating special recreational and volunteer opportunities for persons with disabilities. She is known for her professionalism, her impressive aptitude for her profession, and her ability to work well with clientele, family members, local businesses, and community leaders. Hill, husband John and their three sons, Zachary, Johnathan, and Isaac, reside in Dale, Indiana.

Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, Inc. (SIRS) provides services to adults and children with disabilities in Dubois, Perry, Spencer, Warrick, and Vanderburgh County communities. For more information on SIRS or the services provided, please call 812-897-4840 or visit SIRS online at www.sirs.org.