Trenton, NJ – Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris presented awards to two department employees from Mercer County for individual and/or team awards this year at the State’s Public Service Recognition Program. There were 29 honorees in all from DHS.

The recipients, Andrea Hernandez of Trenton and Tamika Young of Trenton, both received Co-Worker Recognition Awards.  Hernandez is a Teaching Assistant in the DHS Office of Education, and since August 2001 has been working at the Mercer Project TEACH with teens who are pregnant or already parents.  Young is the Foster Parent Recruiter for the Central Region Foster Care Unit with the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) in Trenton.

Over 1,500 state workers gathered at the Trenton War Memorial for the Annual NJ State Public Service Recognition Awards Ceremony, which included a pre-ceremony breakfast, compliments of the NJ Department of Personnel, which organizes the annual event.

Representatives from 26 state departments and agencies meet monthly throughout the year to identify programs, awards and events to recognize and honor public employees.  The program culminates in an annual statewide celebration to honor public service award recipients, held during National Public Service Recognition Week in May.  Program award categories include Longevity, Co-Worker Recognition; Team Work Partnership, and Customer Service Excellence.  The State award categories include Heroism, Exceptional Service, Community Service, and Professional Achievement.  This program also includes a national award coordinated by the National Public Service Roundtable in Washington DC.

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