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It is the mission of Disabled Persons Action Organization to provide quality and effective individualized services to developmentally disabled children and adults in Jefferson and Lewis Counties. The services are primarily geared toward helping families cope with the stress of caring for their disabled loved ones. |
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Find us on Facebook!CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION TO DPAO!!! |
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Let us start by
saying we have missed everyone during this unprecedented time
and hope that you have all fared well! We are very
excited to announce that we are reopening our programs. The
safety and well-being of our participants and staff are our
highest priority during this time.
Our Agency has implemented preventative strategies to ensure that we provide an environment that optimizes everyone’s health and safety while maintaining a comfortable and caring setting. We have put into effect all of the regulatory guidance from Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We have developed a Safety Plan for each program that details our health and safety protocols. These are made available to you so that you have the necessary information to be able to make decisions about program participation. DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for Certified Day Program Reopening.pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for 1 on 1 Community Hab Reopening.pdfDPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for 1 on 1 Day Hab Reopening.pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for 1 on 1 Respite Reopening.pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for Short Term Respite Reopening.pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for Free Standing Respite Reopening (Jefferson County).pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for Free Standing Respite Reopening (Lewis County).pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for Community Prevoc Reopening.pdf DPAO/COVID-19 Safety Plan for SEMP Reopening.pdf DPAO/DPAO CONTINGENCY PLAN.docx DPAO/DPAO Emergency Protocol for Closing (2021).pdf |
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What does
DPAO do? Watch
Austin's story and listen to what DPAO has done for him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guYCboLXXeY&feature=youtu.be |
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THANK YOU to all of our Direct Support Professionals (DSP’s) for all that you do! We recognize all of your hard work and the skills necessary for you to do your job. DSP's have the most impact on the individuals we serve! Core Competencies are the foundation of person-centered supports for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. The competencies are broken down into seven goal areas covering all aspects of the individual’s life, while also including the professionalism of direct support ...
In an effort to continue this recognition, we plan on spotlighting a Direct Support Professional of the Month ... every month! JUNE 2021 DSP ...
James Fiaschetti
I would like to nominate James Fiaschetti for DSP of the month. James works with multiple individuals but with one in particular he has made a huge difference in his life. I have seen a huge change in this person’s life and it is due to the assistance that James has given him. James goes above and beyond and really advocates for his individuals! Core Competency: Putting People First MAY 2021 DSP ... Stephanie Nathan
Stephanie has been a positive role model for the individual
she works with. She is very reliable and assists her
individual with budgeting his money more effectively which
has helped him feel more confident. He has been successful
at establishing a savings account and purchasing items that
he has not previously been able to purchase. Stephanie also
has great communication with her individual and his team
when she feels that he needs more supports in different
areas. Stephanie is an asset to this agency!
APRIL 2021 DSP ... Tonya Kerr
Our Agency had a RN in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit who
wanted us to know how wonderful Tonya Kerr was with helping
with the transitioning of taking her individual’s baby home
from the NICU
MARCH 2021 DSP ... Melissa Durham
Melissa works on a variety of goals with her individual. She
helps him with improving the quality of his relationships by
providing him with opportunities to maintain his social
skills. Melissa also assists her individual with studying
for his NYS Driver’s permit. She also works hard to help him
increase his independence by maintaining his home. You can
tell just by talking to both Melissa and the individual she
works with that they have a great relationship! Core Competencies: Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships, Home Life
FEBRUARY 2021 DSP ... Courtney Currier
Courtney has been a great asset for her individual who has recently transitioned into a home of his own. Not only has she been a resource to him for getting his home set up, but she provides great support with daily tasks such as budgeting and paying his bills, shopping, searching for meal ideas, and keeping a clean home. She encourages him to do the things that he really enjoys such as fishing and hiking. It has been exciting to see how well he is doing as they work on his goals. Courtney is not only great with communication when she has a question, but she helps and encourages her participant to ask questions and speak up for himself. Courtney is an asset and we are lucky to have her! Core Competencies: Putting People First, Home Life JANUARY 2021 DSP ... Courtney Gebo
There are many
words and phrases that we use when describing the OPWDD Code
of Ethics and Core Competencies but as strange as it is, the
word kindness isn’t one of them. So allow me to break with
norms and standards and nominate Courtney Gebo for DSP of
the Month for January 2021 for being kind when it mattered.
After all is there anything more ethical than being kind?
Courtney gave a ride to a person in need who showed up at
our office one cold day. She was not familiar with this
person but just happened to overhear his story and
volunteered to help him. After the chaotic and uncertain
year of 2020 a small act of random kindness was nice to see. Core Competency: Putting People First DECEMBER 2020 DSP ... Maddyson Russell
Over the last seven months there have been a lot of changes
for Short Term Respite. From role changes, program changes,
agency changes and individuals' changes, Maddyson was not
shy to jump on board and tackle those changes. She has shown
dedication to the program and has grown professionally over
these last few months. Maddyson brings forth new and
exciting ideas to the program that suit our individuals'
interests and really grasps the concept of person centered
care. She maintains a positive attitude and positive
relationship with her coworkers and the individuals.
Maddyson has become a great asset to the program and we are
very lucky she chose to become part of our STR family!
Core Competencies:
Putting People First, Building and Maintaining Positive
Relationships, Demonstrating Professionalism NOVEMBER 2020 DSP ... Brandy Crumpton
Brandy has been a dedicated DSP for two young men for the past year. She has been a key player in helping these young men transition from living with their Mother to living independently in their own apartment. She helps her participants with maintaining their apartment, grocery shopping, and making healthy choices. Most recently she has helped these men successfully climb Bald Mountain in Old Forge which is a huge accomplishment! Brandy thinks outside of the box by finding ways to keep these young men healthy and finding an activity where they can still enjoy community life and maintain social distancing as well as prompting a healthy lifestyle. Way to go Brandy!
Core Competencies:
Supporting
Good Health, Home Life OCTOBER 2020 DSP ... Ken West
Ken is a very
hard worker who goes above and beyond and takes his
responsibilities as a DSP seriously! When with his
individual he never stays still, always making sure his
individual is getting everything he wants and needs. He
tries to have his individual do as much as he can to help
him be as independent as possible. Ken has helped his
individual, who loves to socialize, create and maintain
relationships with people in the community on a daily basis.
Well known for loving to save money, Ken helps his
individual make cost effective choices. He still has the
same dedication as he did when he started in this field over
40 years ago. Ken happens to be celebrating a milestone
birthday this month and though he does not like the
spotlight, he deserves to be recognized for his efforts!
Congrats Ken, job well done!
SEPTEMBER 2020 DSP ... Deidrea Hunt
Deidrea is kind, compassionate and understands the individuals well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been diligently working to ensure the health and safety of the individuals. She is extremely motivated and encourages them to do their very best. She is also their biggest cheerleader and celebrates their success. She has excellent communication skills and overall has complete passion for her job. Great job Deidrea!
Core Competencies:
Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships,
Supporting Safety AUGUST 2020 DSP ... Janet Baker Janet is an asset to our organization! She works extremely hard making sure her individual’s goals, wants, and needs are met. Janet has helped her individual give back to the community and accomplish many things, such as volunteering at her local rescue squad. She has also helped her reach her healthy diet goal by creating her very own Special Olympics by walking laps. Janet is a very caring DSP, helping her individual maintain positive relationships and even having a surprise birthday party for her. These are just a very few things that Janet has done! Excellent job Janet! Core Competencies: Putting People First, Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships, Supporting Good Health JULY 2020 DSP ... SEMP & Community Prevoc Department
Kim Kilcullen, Tim Cantwell, Alexis Prior, Courtney Gebo
This department continues to Put People First by thinking outside the box to provide support and services to all program participants. By making weekly phone calls for both the SEMP and Community Prevocational programs, they ensure that each participant is safe and healthy. Busy mailing letters, making miss you signs and delivering care packages with well wishes, the team continues to build and maintain positive relationships with the individuals they support both at their job sites and through interactive zoom meetings. A huge thank you for their amazing efforts and commitment to providing quality and meaningful services during the pandemic! Core Competencies: Putting People First, Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships, Supporting Good Health, Supporting Safety
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Disabled Persons Action Organization
Corporate Offices: 617 Davidson Street • PO Box 222 • Watertown, New York 13601 • (315) 782-3577 • (800) 533-2859 ● (315) 782-6673 (Fax)
William J. McClusky Day Habilitation Center:
633 Davidson Street ● Watertown, New York
13601 ● (315) 782-5285
Lewis County Free Standing Respite Home: 5205 Ebbly Road ● Lowville, New York 13367 ● (315) 376-8327 |