“2021 Caseworker of the Year” Award given to April Dugal, General Assistance Administrator
Contact: Gavin Morgan, Oak Park Township Manager,
708-383-8005, gmorgan@oakparktownship.org
The Illinois Township Association of General Assistance Caseworkers (ITAGAC) has given the “2021 Caseworker of the Year” Award to April Dugal, Oak Park Township’s General Assistance Administrator. Over the past 10 years, Ms. Dugal has provided case management to many General Assistance clients throughout Oak Park. Gavin Morgan, Manager for Oak Park Township congratulated Ms. Dugal and stated, “Much of April’s success is because of the positive professional relationships she has developed with her clients, co-workers, peers in the field, and community partners.”
Ms. Dugal will officially receive the Caseworker of the Year Award from Mary Jo Imperato, the President of ITAGAC, on December 1st during an all-staff meeting of Oak Park Township. “This is a well-deserved honor and recognizes the dedication, knowledge, and talents that April brings on behalf of her clients and the Township,” said Mr. Morgan. In addition to her General Assistance responsibilities, Ms. Dugal serves on two subcommittees of the Oak Park Coalition to End Homelessness: the Service Intersections Committee and the Career Pathways Committee, developing systemic solutions to common problems. Recently, River Forest was added to the territory managed by Ms. Dugal, and River Forest residents may now apply for General Assistance through Ms. Dugal’s office. She also serves as the Treasurer of the Township Officials of Cook County Caseworkers Division.
General Assistance is a state-mandated program designed to support eligible residents with financial help, guidance for job searching, and other services based on their needs.
The Illinois Township Association of General Assistance Caseworkers purpose is to educate General Assistance staff and to ensure consistent implementation of General Assistance programs throughout the State of Illinois. They strive to increase knowledge on available resources to assist residents facing hardship. Currently, there are 76 members of the ITAGAC. Mary Jo Imperato from Hanover Township is the current president of the ITAGAC.
Oak Park Township assists residents by providing a variety of governmental services and resources, with a special emphasis on advocacy and partnerships in human services that benefit youth and senior citizens as well as mentally ill and financially struggling community members. For more information, please visit https://oakparktownship.org/.
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