We’re so excited to feature CIS Job Coach Hayden Howard as part of our Employee Spotlight series. Hayden’s been at CIS since 2017, and if you know him, you know what an amazing coach he is. Hayden is devoted to the participants on his caseload, and has become known for building great connections with the people he works with, and a friendly rapport with participants and the businesses where they work.

Hayden’s backstory is remarkable: he’d worked in the mental health field for nearly 40 years, but in 2017, the agency he worked for closed its doors, and he found himself looking for a job. He is visually impaired, and was connected to CIS for job-finding services.

“I met with someone from OVR, and he referred me to Jon at CIS,” Hayden told us. “As Jon was looking over my work history he said, ‘You know, you’d be perfect for working right here.’”

The rest, as they say, is history: Hayden was hired as a Job Coach in 2017, initially in a part-time role. Since then, he’s done truly standout job in support of CIS participants, and is now working full-time.

“It’s really interesting work,” said Hayden. “You’re trying to bring somebody along, help give somebody greater independence, and coaching is one of the most effective ways to do it.”

We are so thankful for the work he does, and to have him at CIS.