COVINGTON, Ky. – They didn’t forget.
How could they?
In fact, they even got a jump on the event.
National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week takes place from September 13th to September 19th. This annual week-long celebration always falls on the full week beginning the Sunday immediately following Labor Day to honor the vital contributions of direct support professionals.
“It is the most valuable position in our residential department,” says Angela Sellers, Residential Program Director at the Point/Arc. “DSPs,” she continued, “are the backbone of our mission. DSPs wear many hats. They are friend, teachers, advocates, chefs, and facilitators of community access.”
A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is someone who works directly with people who have intellectual or developmental (I/DD) disabilities.
And DSPs aim to assist people in realizing their full potential.
A true mission of the 54-year-old Covington-based non-profit agency.
The Point/Arc got an early start to say a thank-you to these workers. “In recognition of National DSP Week, we held our quarterly All Staff meeting (Sept. 3rd) at Devou Park,” said Sellers a 12-year-staffer at The Point/Arc. “We had food, games and were able to to give everyone gifts from donations supplied by the families of the clients we serve.
“Judi Gerding, our Founder and President, gave a powerful speech about how important – and how appreciative we are of our staff.”
The Point/Arc has 59 DSPs – both men and women – staffing their 14 residential homes.
What DSPs perform could possibly be considered magic. Some may perform the functions of clinicians, service coordinators, administrators, managers, maintenance clerical personnel.
DSPs are distinct in that they are trained in a variety of methods, and are held to a high, nationally validated Code of Ethics and set of Core Competencies.
While DSPs may not be caregivers — a caregiver may do things for someone in contrast — a DSP will work with someone to enable them to do things independently.
“Since we celebrated DSP Week a bit early,” Sellers said, “this week will be all about giving thanks and sharing kind words.”
That’s what DSPs do daily.
The Point/Arc was founded in 1972 by a group of parents fighting for the educational rights of their children, who were diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disability.
The mission – to help people with disabilities achieve their highest potential educationally, socially, residentially and vocationally. More than this, The Point/Arc has been an organization that identifies gaps in services and provides care and support to fill these gaps – even when government funding sources are not available.
The Point/Arc
