COTTONWOOD EMPLOYEE EARNS DIRECTOR'S AWARD

The Education Coordinator at the Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau has earned the Director's Employee Relations Award from the Department of Mental Health.

Judith Anne Turner, who holds a doctorate in special education in administration, was presented the award during the department's annual Employee Relations Conference in Jefferson City. She was one of 19 persons nominated for the award and the 11th person to receive it since 1981.

Turner, who has worked at Cottonwood since it opened in April 1987, was cited for her efforts to improve employee relations at the center, which provides residential care for children with severe emotional disturbances, ages 6-17.

The citation praised Turner for her work with the Cape Girardeau Public Schools in arranging education for the adolescents who are receiving services in Cottonwood.