
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!
JANUARY 2023 DSP ...
Carolyn Fiaschetti

Carolyn was nominated by the
individual she works for. Carolyn is very helpful to him and
assists him with meeting many goals. She helps him with
skills to increase and maintain his independence by cooking
meals, cleaning his apartment, proper hygiene skills, etc.
And just as her individual said “She is awesome!” Thank you
Carolyn!
Core Competency: Having a Home Life
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
SEPTEMBER 2022 DSP ...
Steffany Delaney

Steffany went above and beyond to care for her participant
while he was sick. She took his temperature, made sure he
was comfortable, reported any health details to his
guardian, and attended his physician appointments. She
provided encouragement and helped relieve some of the
anxiety that this he and his guardian were experiencing.
Steffany cared for her participant the entire time when his
other staff were ill with Covid and volunteered to stay with
him while the other staff were on quarantine. Steffany put
her participant before her own family and made sure that he
was able to stay in his own home by providing 24/7 care.
Thank you for your wonderful compassion Steffany!!!!!
Core Competency:
Putting People
First, Supporting Good Health, Supporting Safety
AUGUST 2022 DSP ...
Danielle Hutchison

Danielle has been a great asset to
DPAO! Not only is she a great team player, but she is kind
and compassionate and has a passion to teach. Although the
days are busy, Danielle takes the time to find out the
challenges the people we support face individually and
discovers the best way each of them learn and implements it
into their daily activities. She has a gift of capturing the
attention of our individuals and keeping them engaged.
Way to go Danielle!!!!!
Core Competencies: Putting People
First,
Building and
Maintaining Positive Relationships
JUNE 2022 DSP ...
Sierra
Bailey

Although Sierra has been working at
DPAO for a short time, she has really stepped up to the
plate to ensure the Short Term Respite program has continued
to thrive without a current coordinator. She also has agreed
to run all of the recreational activities for our
individuals. She is well liked by our participants and has
given them a sense of security while the program is going
through many changes. She never shies away from working out
of her comfort zone to ensure they are having fun. She is
witty, creative and always willing to lend a helping hand
when another program needs assistance. Awesome job
Sierra!!!!!
Core
Competencies: Putting
People First, Demonstrating Professionalism
MAY 2022 DSP ...
Alexandria Reczko

Alex carries out daily goals with
her individual to the fullest! She assists her with grocery
shopping and maintaining her home. Alex also supports her in
becoming healthier by encouraging her to keep a healthy diet
and going to the gym. She is a reliable DSP and continues to
show her support in all areas that are needed. Thank you
Alex!!!!!
Core Competencies:
Putting People
First, Supporting Good
Health, Having a Home
APRIL 2022 DSP ...
Blair Waldron

Blair is being recognized for going
the extra mile to put a smile on her individual’s faces! She
is always willing to listen to how their day is going and is
there for them and assists them in whatever it is that they
are trying to accomplish. Blair also never hesitates to help
out in the program that she works in. Thank you for being
such a great DSP Blair!!!!!
Core Competency:
Putting
People First
MARCH 2022 DSP ...
Michele Macaluso

Michele has been nominated by the
person whom she is a DSP for ... “Michele has exceeded her
job expectations by advocating for me even in situations
where her job doesn't require her to do so. She is also a
huge support for my anxiety and has managed to calm me down
in every situation. Thanks to her, I have an apartment, a
job, and a sense of purpose and ethics of my own. She is
also extremely honest and refuses to do anything she deems
unethical. It is for these reasons that I think she should
be nominated.” Congrats Michele!
Core Competencies:
Putting
People First, Having a Home
FEBRUARY 2022 DSP ...
JoAnn Kirk

JoAnn carries out
daily goals with her individual to the fullest. She is being
recognized by providing and encouraging positive emotional
support to her individual during the difficult time he has
been going through. She continues to work on his goals such
as healthy lifestyle skills, encouraging exercise, and
helping to get his mind off difficult things. Thank you
JoAnn for being there during a time that was needed the
most! We appreciate you JoAnne!!!!!
Core Competency:
Putting People
First
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