
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 ...
- Putting
People First
- Building and
Maintaining Positive Relationships
- Demonstrating
Professionalism
- Supporting
Good Health
- Supporting
Safety
- Having a Home
- Being Active
and Productive in Society
In an effort to continue this
recognition, we plan on spotlighting a Direct Support
Professional of the Month ... every month!
SEPTEMBER 2023 DSP ...
Logan Smith

Logan has been very reliable,
helping his individual work on different goals such as
cleaning, maintaining his household, budgeting, and bringing
him to new places. He had mentioned he wanted to go to a
certain restaurant because he had never been so Logan took
him and they both enjoyed it. Everything he is doing for him
deserves to be recognized. He doesn’t judge him and he has
said multiple times that his individual is a great guy and
he truly wants to help him. Thank you Logan!!!
Core
Competencies: Putting People
First, Having a Home, Being Active and Productive in Society
AUGUST 2023 DSP ...
Isabelle Rodriquez

Since beginning in the fall of 2022,
Izzie has become an integral part of the Day Hab program.
She exemplifies excellent advocating skills for our
individuals and has demonstrated this on more than one
occasion. She is respectful to each participant and goes
above and beyond for them when they need something. She is
empathetic to the struggles they face and is always willing
to help them with informed decision making, allowing them to
make their own decisions as independently as possible.
She is dedicated to being a strong team player and will
assist her co-workers when needed, making our Day Hab team
one of the best we've ever had! We are lucky to have her!
Thank you Izzie!!!
Core Competencies: Putting People
First, Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships
JULY 2023 DSP ...
Jenna Sixberry

Jenna was nominated by the parent of
the individual she works with! She expressed that she wanted
Jenna to be recognized for going above and beyond and how
awesome she is! It was noted that Jenna is always willing to
help in any way to make her individual succeed in many
areas. Jenna brings him to places and introduces him to new
friends. Jenna has an amazing heart and this recognition is
long overdue! Excellent job Jenna!!!
Core Competencies:
Putting People First, Being Active and Productive in Society
MAY 2023 DSP ...
Andy Drury

Andy is a very hard worker.
You can really see
how much true care there is between him and the
participants. He wasn’t even there to practice for
the talent show and he still stepped up and did a great job.
Thank you for putting a smile on everyone’s faces!!!
Core Competency: Building and Maintaining
Positive Relationships
APRIL 2023 DSP ...
Jasmine Powers

Jasmine is an amazing person with a huge heart and she is
very compassionate. She goes above and beyond for all of her
individuals she works with, takes the time to get to know
them, and they all think she is the bee’s knees! This helps
with not only learning about everyone but also makes each
person feel like they matter! Jasmine has a unique ability
to make everyone feel welcomed and wanted, as well as puts a
smile on everyone’s face. Way to go Jasmine!!!
Core Competency: Putting People First
MARCH 2023 DSP ...
Kristen Korman

Kristen was nominated by the Mother
of the individual in which she provides services to. “On
behalf of our son, his dad and I would like to nominate his
Respite support worker for DSP of the Month with DPAO. As
you can imagine, finding the right person to work with your
differently-abled child can be a bit of a challenge and at
times, super stressful. When Kristen began working with him
over a year ago, it became obvious very early in that she
was a perfect fit for our son. He would smile when Kristen
would enter the room, give her huge bear hugs, and request
that she be near him. As time has passed, we have taken note
of how reliable, flexible, caring, understanding, and
motivating she is. Kristen prepares ideas and activities to
do with him that are meaningful and that he may find fun and
exciting and takes it upon herself to work on ADL’s with him
in the comfort of his own home. We are grateful for the
support and guidance Kristen provides for our son and our
family as a whole." Congratulations Kristen on this
well deserved acknowledgment!!!
Core
Competency:
Putting People First
FEBRUARY 2023 DSP ...
Keagan Nowlin

We received a wonderful summary from
a parent to recognize Keagan. “She has worked with my son
for a year now and she has consistently gone above and
beyond to meet his needs. She actively works on his goals
daily, takes him to swim classes multiple times each week,
takes him into the community regularly, etc. The bond
they've built is heartwarming and it's great, as a parent of
a somewhat non-verbal child, to know he is loved and cared
for when they're together.” Thank you Keagan for all
you do!!!
Core
Competencies:
Putting People First, Being Active and Productive in Society
DECEMBER 2022 DSP ...
Ashley Garcia

Every day Ashley takes the time to
check in to ensure her individual is set, even if she is not
working with her that day! She is constantly researching
different events in the community to attend or to volunteer
at. She is her individual’s biggest cheerleader by
celebrating every win, whether if it’s paying for her own
coffee at Dunkin and counting the correct change, or frying
an egg by herself for the first time. Recently it was
supposed to be Ashley’s day off but her individual called
and told her about a volunteering opportunity she heard
about on the radio and said she would like to do it. Ashley
was so proud of her for wanting to take part so she changed
her schedule and they went to together and volunteered. She
is always going above and beyond for her individual and she
truly cares about what is best! Congrats Ashley!!!
Core Competencies:
Putting People First, Being Active and Productive in Society
NOVEMBER 2022 DSP ...
Ruth Loomis

Ruth has been a
devoted employee for decades! She cut the ribbon to open the
Lewis County Respite house and has been a one to one Direct
Support Professional in the past. She takes great care of
our individuals and they love her! Ruth deserves to be
recognized after so many years spent taking care of the
ID/DD individuals in Lewis County. Thank you for all that
you do Ruth!!!
Core Competency:
Putting People
First
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