BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA

Attachment #16
Page 4 of 4
Selected Recent Accomplishments
In 2002, Dr. Williams presented an application to the Mutual of America Foundation highlighting the
relationship between Elder Care Services and the Leon County Court Mediation Services. The Retired
and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) recruits seniors to serve as volunteer mediators in the County
Courts saving citizens and the county an estimated $280,000 annually in trials resolved before coming
to court. This initiative resulted in Elder Care Services and the Mediation Services being selected as a
national Merit Finalist for the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award.
In 2003, Dr. Williams developed a dynamic project for the AmeriCorps*VISTA program of Elder Care
Services. This project used VISTA members across 14 counties to “reduce the severity of poverty
among seniors in Northwest Florida.” VISTAs went into the community to meet seniors face-to-face
and assist them in receiving health, nutrition, insurance and transportation services for which they were
eligible. In the four years of this national grant, 36 individuals served in 14 counties covering 8,400
square miles from Madison to Walton Counties in northwest Florida. During this time they recruited
273 volunteers who served over 100,000 hours. These VISTAs and their volunteers met with over
12,000 clients. VISTAs also drove over 228,000 miles while visiting 2,143 locations. As part of their
duties, they obtained over $20,000 in in-kind goods and services, and over $10,000 in cash donations
to assist the communities where they served.
In 2004, Dr. Williams completed an eight week program to become a Certified Volunteer
Administrator. He was one of the first recipients of this designation in Florida. He also served as
Secretary in 2005 and Vice-President in 2006 of DOVA, the Directors of Volunteers Association.
DOVA promotes advocacy, networking, and professional development of volunteer managers in Leon
County. Through his guidance, DOVA provided a strong schedule of professional development
workshops and activities, and revitalized its By-Laws which had been dormant for several years
In 2007, Dr. Williams was selected as Florida’s Outstanding Older Worker. This award was presented
by Experience Works, a national organization that recruits, trains and places older workers across the
nation. Each year they recognize outstanding older workers from every state at the Prime Time
Awards Dinner held in Washington, D. C.
In 2008, Dr. Williams applied for and received a $2,500 grant to develop a Worksite Wellness
Program for Elder Care Services. .Fred and his team, the GROUND POUNDERS, have established a
series of workshops, activities and health fairs for agency employees.
Page 196 of 282 Posted at 5:00 p.m. on August 31, 2012