Tulare County HHSA Employee Receives Literacy Advocate Award

Phonemany Lounbandith, a Self Sufficiency Resource Specialist for the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency's (HHSA) Porterville District Office, received the Literacy Advocate award on July 26.

TulareWORKS Division Manager Donna Ortiz presented the quarterly award on behalf of HHSA and the Library’s Read to Succeed Literacy program. The honor was designed for HHSA counselors and specialists who have referred their clients to a joint program developed by HHSA and the Library Literacy Center.  This is the second time Ms. Lounbandith has received the award.

The program is designed to better equip HHSA clients in finding and keeping employment.  It is unique in its focus.  The Literacy Center provides one-on-one tutoring, which is particularly successful with individuals who do not thrive in a classroom setting.  At the same time, HHSA counselors such as Ms. Lounbandith make sure clients have the practical necessities, such as child care or bus tokens, to ensure their participation.

In addition to Ms. Ortiz, the presentation today was attended by Sylvia Nacianceno, HHSA Porterville Office Unit Manager; Win Doyle, HHSA/Literacy Coordinator, and the staff of the Porterville Office. 

More than 275 referrals have been made to the program by HHSA staff from the five TulareWORKS offices in Tulare County.

Below: HHSA managers and team members congratulate Phonemany Loubandith on receiving the HHSA/Literacy Award.  Pictured (l to r) are:
Porterville District Office Manager Sylvia Nacianceno,  Martha Perez, Aleyda Montenegro, Arselia Mena, Brandi Hopper, Sharris Clark, Terry Anderson, Fanny Cervantez, Rufino Orong, award recipient Pon Lounbandith, Cynthia Natzke, Tessy Silva, TulareWORKS Division Manager Donna Ortiz and Maribel Brawley.