Dear Friends and Colleagues:
The tens of thousands of direct support professionals (DSPs) across the state are the backbone of this organization. These are incredibly dedicated and caring people who often forgo time with their own loved ones to make a difference in the life of an individual with a developmental disability.
Knowing the challenges that come with a career in direct support, especially in light of the intense scrutiny and many changes that have been occurring at OPWDD, I was very proud to learn that one of our own was honored as the 2012 DSP of the Year by the American Network of Community Options and Resources.
Some of you may know this year’s honoree, Lynda DiPressi, a DSP at New Horizons Resources, Inc., in the Hudson Valley. Lynda is certainly deserving of this distinction. She is one of fewer than 300 people in the state who have earned certification as a direct support professional from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, which required an extensive classroom and online training program of more than 200 hours of instruction, as well as a portfolio project demonstrating her proficiency in at least eight core competencies of being a DSP. She did all of this while working full time.
I am humbled by DSPs like Lynda—and there are thousands of you in both state and nonprofit service—who, day after day, enrich the lives of the individuals we serve. You know our individuals well; their strengths, their health needs, their interests, their personalities, and their loved ones. You keep them safe, and help them to explore their communities and experience new things.
You are also continually engaged in efforts to improve our system and our quality of care, and I thank you for that.
Please join me in congratulating Lynda DiPressi on her incredible achievements. I also wish to extend my deepest appreciation to all DSPs who, like Lynda, inspire me each and every day.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.