Miami County native receives distinguished award
STATEHOUSE – Karen Filler, a Miami County native, recently received the Distinguished Hoosier Award for her 40 years of dedicated service to the state of Indiana, primarily with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). State Representative Bill Friend (R-Macy), alongside Secretary John J. Wernert as well as other leaders and colleagues from FSSA, attended the awards ceremony honoring Karen for her incredible contribution to the state. “Karen and I both attended class at North Miami High School, so we have known each other for a long time,” said Rep. Friend. “Over the years, Karen has selflessly dedicated her life to supporting the families of this great state. I want to congratulate her on her lifelong commitment to making Indiana a better place to live for Hoosier families.” Growing up in Miami County, Karen graduated from North Miami High School in 1969. After high school, she attended Purdue University earning a degree in Agriculture. Karen later went on to obtain her first master’s degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and later, received her second master’s from Indiana Wesleyan University in Organizational Leadership. Another one of Karen’s major accomplishments was earning her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership also from Indiana Wesleyan University. After college, in 1973, she worked in the agriculture industry for Continental Grain in Lafayette, Indiana. Then, a year later, she began working for the Indiana Commodity Dealers Warehouse Licensing Agency and remained there for 11 years. In 1985, she joined FSSA as a Title XX auditor reviewing the funding mechanisms tied to domestic violence shelters and day care facilities. Staying in FSSA, Karen later went on to work for the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, in the long-term care operations unit, to address reimbursement issues for nursing homes, group homes, home health and hospice. In 2006, she joined the Division of Aging to address any issues with waiver programs, which are federally funded programs operated by the state of Indiana, as well as oversaw the Aged and Disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury unit in order to keep elderly individuals in their homes. Eventually, Karen became the Deputy Director of the Division of Aging overseeing programs associated with long term care. After dedicating 40 years to the state, which earned her the Distinguished Hoosier Award, Karen decided to retire from FSSA this year. “It has been a pleasure being able to work in the two areas that I love; the fields of agriculture and social services,” said Karen. “I was honored to start my tenure in state government, under the leadership of Governor Bowen and now to end it under Governor Pence, and it has been a privilege to be able to make a difference for the Hoosiers of this great state.” The Distinguished Hoosier Award is one of the highest honors that an Indiana resident can receive. It is awarded by the state, granted at the discretion of the Governor and given to Hoosiers who have brought honor, distinction and respect to Indiana. -30-
Rep. Bill Friend represents portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties. Rep Friend_Miami County native receives distinguished award.docx |
