By: Genet Soule, VP Development & Marketing—
Muncie, IN—Hillcroft Services, Muncie, Ind., a local provider of services for the developmentally disabled is celebrating National Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week, September 10- 16, 2017. This is an annual opportunity to honor the work of direct support professionals who provide services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.
“Our direct support professionals are hard-working, dedicated women and men who sacrifice a lot to support the people with disabilities whom we serve,” said Debbie Bennett, Hillcroft Services CEO. “Medicaid reimbursement rates make it challenging to pay the wages they deserve, so we have found a few other ways to show our appreciation.” This year, each DSP received a gift card, candy and a specially designed t-Shirt that says “Keep Calm and Let the Direct Support Professional Handle It.”
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is part of the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) National Advocacy Campaign, whose mission is to enhance the lives of all people with disabilities who rely on long-term supports and services by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a highly qualified and sustainable workforce.
“DSP Recognition Week is one way we try to say, “thank you” to the people who turn the intentions of our laws and regulations written to provide opportunities for people with disabilities into actions,” said Barbara Merrill, CEO of ANCOR. “It’s also a very important reminder to our legislators and policymakers that this workforce is essential, and their wages and training deserve attention as states set rates for these services.”
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is celebrated annually across the country with special events and ceremonies to honor the tens of thousands of workers who enable people with intellectual, developmental and other significant disabilities and their families to live healthy lives in their communities.
About Hillcroft Services and ANCOR
Hillcroft Services, Inc. provides residential, employment and community support services to individuals with disabilities in a ten county area in east central Indiana. The mission of Hillcroft is to provide innovative services and supports for People with disabilities and their families, resulting in extraordinary differences in People’s lives. Hillcroft Services encompasses three divisions: ABA Clinic, Hillcroft Industries and Reliable Transport. It also is a provider of employment, residential and therapy services. www.hillcroft.org
The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) is a national trade association representing more than 1,000 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 600,000 individuals with disabilities. ANCOR provides organization, professional, leadership development and networking opportunities and services and is continually working toward partnerships and collaborations that support our mission, which is to advance the ability of our members in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to fully participate in their communities.
Through its National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR seeks to enhance the lives of all people with disabilities who rely on long-term supports and services by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a highly qualified and sustainable workforce. www.ancor.org/NAC
