Throughout the pandemic, local disability providers have been there to ensure that people receive the daily services they rely on. These partners put the needs of those we serve above their own. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and front-line managers continued to support people in their homes even when most of the community was in lockdown. These caring professionals knew that the daily services they provide are essential to people with developmental disabilities. Read More ›
Tag Archives: DSPs
Celebrating Direct Support Professionals
DSP Appreciation Week Sept. 12-18: Celebrating Direct Support Professionals
Summit DD works with dozens of community organizations who provide the frontline services that people with disabilities rely on each day to work, live and engage in their communities. These organizations are made up of professionals called Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs.
DSPs know that what they do is more than just a job. They assist people in their homes so that they can live independently. DSPs provide the transportation people with disabilities rely on to get to their jobs, appointments and other community activities. And they also provide the hands-on job training and coaching services that help people find and keep jobs in the community. DSPs are the heroes among us and they deserve our gratitude. Read More ›
Summit DD Grant Supports Local Disability Professionals Through Crisis
(Tallmadge, Ohio) – In an effort to support direct support professionals and front-line supervisors amid the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Summit DD created a grant opportunity in April to help local disability agencies in Summit County.
- A total of $100,000 was shared by nearly 50 local providers serving people with developmental disabilities. Providers ranged from small organizations with less than ten employees, to larger ones employing more than 250 people, with individual grant awards ranging from $75 to $10,000. Grant money was required to be used to support or incentivize direct support professionals and front-line supervisors who have continued to support people in their homes throughout this crisis.
In It Together: Supporting Providers and DSPs through the Pandemic
In this new, ever-changing reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, Summit DD made it our goal to be there for those around us. We ensure that children and adults continue to feel supported. We are also determined to ensure local disability providers and the Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) who work for these providers feel supported as well.
“As you can imagine, the demands on our provider network are off the charts,” shared Summit DD Superintendent, John Trunk. “And our Community Supports and Development Department has stepped up in a big way to support our partners.” Trunk went on to explain that providers are experiencing dramatically increased demands to Read More ›