It is National Direct Support Professional (DSP) week across the United States and thousands are rallying to make sure these men and women get the recognition they deserve. Here in North Carolina, the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has a statewide chapter which envisions a world where all children, adults and families in need of support services have the opportunity to live community-based lives of their choosing and are supported by Direct Support Professionals who have the knowledge, skills and values needed to assist them in achieving their life goals.

Officially, the definition of a direct support professional is a person who assists an individual with a disability to lead a self-directed life and contribute to the community, assists with activities of daily living if needed, and encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance community inclusion. But to the people direct support professionals assist, they are often defined as angels, best friends, loving and much more!

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) celebrates Direct Support Professionals Week by showing appreciation to the thousands of dedicated, hard-working DSPs who make community living possible for people with disabilities. NCCDD also wants everyone in our communities to know and appreciate the work of our amazing DSPs!

NCCDD helps fund an advocacy development initiative, carried out by Benchmarks Inc., to sustain the NADSP. The initiative helps to advance the quality of the workforce that supports individuals with disabilities through increased competency, professionalism and a voice in decision-making. In addition, the statewide NADSP provides in-service training, continuing and higher education and other lifelong learning incentives to help in educational growth and retention of DSPs.

Benchmarks Inc. is an alliance of agencies helping children, adults and families in the areas of child welfare, mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities and substance abuse issues. Advocacy and education are essential to Benchmarks to provide a system of support to individuals and families to overcome issues they face.

Its staff provides advocacy, lobbying, educational, communications, and management support services to members. The Benchmarks staff works closely with the alliance’s board of trustees, as well as state and local agencies on key regulatory, funding, and management issues confronting members and impacting children and families.

On Monday, September 12, DSPs will be honored at a daylong event at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC. Speakers include Mike Campion, a 20-year veteran speaker, author, entrepreneur and coach who has built several businesses and Garion Bunn, an award-winning keynote presenter, author and coach. Lunch, gifts and door prizes will be a part of the day.

“We are so happy to be part of celebrating Direct Support Professional Week with North Carolina’s finest DSPs! Their hard work, dedication and commitment to the people they serve is truly something that needs to be recognized not only during this special recognition week, but all year round,” said Paige Wiggs,
Benchmarks’ communication & training specialist.