Celebrating Direct Support Professionals
National DSP Week: September 12-18, 2021
The direct support professional (DSP) workforce provides critical supports making it possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and thrive in their communities. As you know, this work requires specialized skills and competencies that are not reflected by the low wages, limited access to benefits, and lack of professional recognition. At no time in our history has the value of this workforce been more clearly demonstrated than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are a few events celebration the work of direct support professionals throughout National DSP Week, September 12-18, 2021.
NY Allliance DSP Celebration Event
The 2021 NY Alliance DSP Celebration Event will take place from 10:00am-1:00pm on Friday, September 17. This virtual celebration will be complimentary for all to attend and include featured speakers expressing their thanks to DSPs and offering encouraging words of wisdom, stories from the field; especially about their work during the COVID 19 pandemic.
The event will include the following presentations and a DSP award presentation:
Friday, September 17 at 10:00AM
You Don't Know Me Until You Know Me
Presented by Dr. Mykee Fowlin, Psychologist, Performer and Poet
You Don't Know Me Until You Know Me takes the audience on an experiential journey, having them reexamine core precepts that were taught to us from as early on as 1st grade. He uses many of his gifts – humor, performance art, poetry, storytelling, psychology, theatrical monologues, and his personal journey – to create a moving experience for all who are open to this evolution.
Friday, September 17 at 11:00AM
What Keeps You Hopeful As a Direct Support Professional In These Times
Presented by John Raffaele, NADSP & Edgardo Velez, Heartshare Human Services
Join John Raffaele from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals and Edgardo Velez from Heartshare/NYC as they explore how to remain hopeful in times when the stress of our work life is heavy. Several direct support professionals will join in a conversation about the things they do to stay positive, remain hopeful and refill their “wells” during a pandemic. We will dig deep into what drives us and what sustains us as we commit to our profession to support people with disabilities.
Friday, September 17 at 12:00PM
Annual DSP Awards Presentation
Join us at 12:00PM to celebrate the incredible work of DSPs. During this time, the NY Alliance will honor all of the DSPs across the State including the more than 175 nominees we received. Each region will showcase two winners who will receive a certificate and a $100 gift card.
Let's Celebrate!
Thank you to Our Contributors
ACHIEVE |
Another Step, Inc |
Arc Herkimer |
Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence |
Intandem |
Job Path |
Living Resources |
Racker |
The Arc Of Rensselaer County |
The Resource Center |
The Summit Center, Inc. |
Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation
The Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation (RCWT) is a project of the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation that provides free resources, webinars, events, trainings and other information for direct support professionals and other staff that support people with developmental disabilities. Visit their website by clicking the button below to learn more.
NADSP Celebration Event
From September 12th – 15th, NADSP and the Research and Training Center on Community Living from the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, will be hosting their second virtual event ‘From Promise to Progress.’ It coincides with National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, which takes place from September 12th – 18th. Similar to the 2020 event, it is completely free to attendees and everyone is encouraged to participate.
The theme ‘From Promise To Progress’ builds off of the 2020 theme ‘From Praise To Promise.’ It goes beyond just the recognition and appreciation for DSPs, by sharing specific actions and cutting-edge approaches to improve the human services field and elevate the status of DSPs. ‘From Promise To Progress’ boasts breakout sessions, panels, keynotes, and the prestigious John F. Kennedy Jr. Award.
ANCOR DSP Week Resources
To support your efforts to acknowledge DSPs, the American Network for Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) have compiled a few resources to help you say "thanks" and raise awareness about the role DSPs play in helping people with disabilities be part of the community. These resources include access to the high-resolution version of the DSP Recognition Week 2021 logo for you to use in (or on) any materials you see fit, customizable social media posts to spread the word, and the ANCOR DSP Recognition Week Store. We can't wait to celebrate your DSPs with you!
