Courtney works super hard in Day Habilitation! From playing games to feeding and toileting individuals, she is often the first one to volunteer to help someone out no matter what it is. A lot of the individuals look to Courtney when they are having a particularly hard time and she is always compassionate and understanding of their situations. There have been plenty of times Courtney has had to step up in a crisis and has proven her ability to maintain control in keeping everyone safe.

Core Competencies: Putting People First and Safety

SEPTEMBER 2018's DSP ...

Tonya Kerr

Tonya has done a fantastic job demonstrating professionalism from the very start of her time at DPAO. She takes great care to ensure that her paperwork (documentation on goals) is completed correctly and provides detailed notes to track progress. Tonya has also done a great job of putting people first by helping her individual work on their goals in creative ways. Her enthusiasm and support for her individual is an asset to our agency. We cannot wait to see what great things Tonya's individual will accomplish with her assistance in the future!

Core Competency: Professionalism and Putting People First

AUGUST 2018's DSP ...  

Marie Farmer

Marie does an excellent job working as a Direct Support Professional! She takes both of her individuals out into the community to volunteer and shop, among many other activities. Marie exhibits professionalism when dealing with challenging behaviors. One of the individuals Marie works with has a hard time expressing himself and she has taught him how to communicate verbally and through sign language! Marie uses sign language as a way of enhancing and supporting his verbal skills, which have increased since she began teaching him!

Core Competencies: Professionalism, Getting into the Community and Putting People First

JULY 2018's DSP ...  

Brenda Sanford

Brenda is a wonderful example of the core competency of 'Putting people First'. She is incredibly dedicated to her individual and ensures that they engage in activities of their choosing. Brenda demonstrates patience, care, and creativity in the way she helps her individual reach their personal goals. It is clear how much Brenda cares about her individual and helping them discover new interests and strengthen their skills.

Core Competency: Putting People First

JUNE 2018's DSP ... Beth Cole "Beth is here for our individuals first and foremost. Working at DPAO is not just a job for her. As much as she cares for every individual, they reciprocate that back to her three times as much! Don’t try to pick on her because DPAO’s participants will come for you! It is an on-going joke with some of us, but it really shows that they love her dearly. “Don’t mess with my Beth” is heard often in the office. When Beth brings the individuals in to drop off the mail or get soda, she always tells them to keep their voices down in case we are on the phone. If we are having a meeting, she makes sure they enter quietly. Until one of us gets them excited, then she might as well throw in the towel! When they are with her, she ensures they use manners, behave appropriately, and gets them involved with whatever task they are sent over to do. Beth puts all 7 core competencies in action daily!" ~ DPAO Employee                                                                                                                           Core Competencies: Putting People First and Maintaining Positive Relationships

MAY 2018's DSP ...

Nicole Bachner

“I would like to nominate Nicole Bachner. She works with an individual who I am friends with. I am over protective and worry about him and Nicole goes above and beyond to ensure he is comfortable and taken care of. She always makes sure that his needs are met. When he was hospitalized in Syracuse she visited him on her own time. On New Year’s Eve he really wanted to go out to celebrate but due to the impending inclement weather this was not advisable. Nicole went the day before New Year’s and brought party hats and pizza to celebrate with him. It is DSP’s like her who make our individuals happy and content. She is caring, responsible and dependable!”

~DPAO Employee 

Core Competency: Putting People First

APRIL 2018's DSP ...

Terri Fulmer

It goes without saying that Terri goes above and beyond for the individuals she works with.  Recently at the Chili Cook-Off, Terri participated with a group of our individuals and did a great job with them.  A lot of people were approaching Terri, saying hello and telling her how much they have missed her.  Terri puts so much time and effort into her position and is greatly appreciated by many!

Core Competencies: Building & Maintaining Positive Relationships, Getting into the Community and Putting People First

MARCH 2018's DSP ...

JoAnn Kirk

JoAnn attends different functions with her individual such as Religious Education Thanksgiving dinner which allows the individual to maintain positive relationships with friends and teachers. JoAnn also keeps a schedule with her individual which includes going to the gym and preparing healthy meals for the week to maintain good health.  Both of the individuals that work with JoAnn are always eager to spend time with her.  The bond that they have formed over the years is admirable!

Core Competencies: Building & Maintaining Positive Relationships and Supporting Good Health

FEBRUARY 2018's DSP ...

Yvonne Albertson

Yvonne demonstrates professionalism, supports safety, builds and maintains positive relationships and puts our individuals’ needs first! Recently Yvonne was involved in an accident where she and six individuals were passengers in an agency van. Yvonne remained calm and focused on the individuals’ needs, keeping them safe and reassuring them that everything was going to be ok! Yvonne stepped up when she needed to and not only supported our individuals but also the staff who was driving. This is just one of the many examples why Yvonne is named DSP of the month. Yvonne’s team leader is proud to have her as a staff member!

Core Competency: Safety

JANUARY 2018's DSP ...

Carole Sutherland

(Carole Sutherland is NOT a pit bull but she loves them!)

"When I first started back in July I only had a little bit of experience working with disabled people. My manager put me on the 4:30 to midnight shift where I've had the pleasure of working with Carole Sutherland. Although she is only a part time employee at Free Standing Respite, I would like to nominate her to be the DSP of the month for January. She meets all of the core competencies and much more. She always puts everyone's needs before her own, consumers and staff. She had taught me so much in the past couple of months, I couldn't ask for a better mentor. She is very kind and passionate about her work. She seems to know how to handle any situation that is thrown her way. She is constantly building, maintaining AND improving positive relationships with consumers and their caregivers as well. She is a role model not only for consumers but for staff and caregivers as well, demonstrating and supporting ALL 7 of the competency goals. I've learned so much from Carole and I really hope you would consider her for January's DSP of the month. She deserves it for all of the hard work she does for the consumers, caregivers, staff and the agency as a whole."

~DPAO Employee

Core Competency: Putting People First