East End Disability Associates' Employee Wins New York State Justice Center's 'Code Of Conduct' Honor

RIVERHEAD, NY — An employee of East End Disability Associates in Riverhead was honored recently.

The New York State Justice Center announced that Shaunice Faines, assistant director of residential services at East End Disability Associates,wasselected as a recipient of the Justice Center’s Code of Conduct Award for 2025.

For more than a decade, the NYS Justice Center said, Shaunice has been a "tireless advocate for the people she supports at EEDA, creating an environment that is both nurturing, and person-centered."

Starting out as a direct support professional and advancing to management positions, she has built her career around the service of others, the Justice Center said.

"In her current role, she leads by example, drawing from her past experience to create a sustainable future for the organization and those in care," a release said.

“Management sets the tone of an organization —s trong leaders cultivate strong practices. In the service sector, where maintaining consistent and effective care models is increasingly challenging, having an exceptional manager like Shaunice isn't just valuable — it's essential," said Justice Center Acting Executive Director Maria Lisi-Murray. "Thank you to Shaunice for her outstanding work and for helping us maintain an ethical standard of care in New York State."

Those honored with a Code of Conduct Award truly embody the Justice Center’s founding principles and standards outlined in the Code of Conduct for custodians of people with special needs, the Center said.

"The purpose of the code of conduct is to ensure people enrolled in programs under Justice Center jurisdiction receive support in a manner that prioritizes their dignity, safety, and rights," the group said.

According to her nomination, "Shaunice is always on the go," a release said. "She’s rarely in her office because she is always out in EEDA’s programs connecting with her staff and people receiving care. Her work ethic is infectious — she sets a standard worth emulating and considers herself a lifelong learner. She never stops until a task is done right."

"EEDA is fortunate to have Shaunice as an important member of our leadership team. It has been a pleasure to watch Shaunice grow personally and professionally over the many years she has been with the organization, and I admire how she views herself as a 'work in progress' — always wanting to learn more," said EEDA’s Executive Director Joy O’Shaughnessy. "She is always present and mindful, blending the perfect balance of professionalism and compassion, Shaunice has an endless reserve of energy she applies to ensure positive outcomes for the people she supports. The EEDA community benefit from how she brings to life the EEDA vision, mission and values and NYS Justice Centers code of conduct in everything she does.”

Awards are compiled by the NYS Justice Center each year. Winners are selected by the Justice Center’s Advisory Council — a group that provides guidance to the Justice Center in the development of policies, programs, and regulations. The council consists of service providers, people who have or are currently receiving services, their family members, and advocates.

The Justice Center received more than 200 nominations for this year’s program. Six winners were selected from a dozen finalists. Each submission highlighted the dedicated members of the state’s human services workforce.