Twenty-four Michigan Department of Human Services employees from around the state are winners of a "Star" award for their participation in the Paternity Establishment Percentage - or PEP - Team.

"The PEP Team helps increase paternity established each year for children of unwed parents," said Department of Human Services Director Marianne Udow. "Formed three years ago, the team developed and implemented plans that led to improved paternity establishment."

The "Star" awards are given to DHS employees and teams from around the state for their good work, teamwork and providing quality service. The team members received their award alongside two other teams and five individual employees receiving award during a Feb. 27 event in Lansing.

Team members, all of whom work for DHS Office of Child Support, are:

• Jonathan W. Owens of Bancroft.
• Carol Mahaz of Dearborn.
• Harold Weaver of Detroit.
• Carolyn McArthur of Delta Township near Lansing.
• Ian Broughton and Steve Mayer from DeWitt.
• Ardene Martin of Dimondale.
• Norma Sizemore of Fenton.
• Richard Wood of Grand Rapids.
• Maria Candy and Lynn Walker of Holt.
• Norma Porter of Jackson.
• Debi Bedenbender, Jennifer Garavaglia, Sharene Johnson and Crystal Perry from Lansing.
• Wayne Maybaugh of Owosso.
• Jennifer Reed for Portland.
• Greg Mitchell of Springport.
• Ellen Bruce Durnan of Swartz Creek.
• Ellen Jensen of Big Rapids.
• Margaret Batts of White Lake.
• Kathryn Scott from Williamston.
• Jan Regul Mapley from Dearborn Heights.

The Star Award program is an annual employee recognition program started in 2007. Award winners were nominated by peers and/or managers.

For more information on the Department of Human Services go to www.michigan.gov/dhs