Events Honored Frontline Workers Who Support People with Developmental Disabilities
ARC Broward held various appreciation events throughout the week of September 8 – 12 to honor the work of ARC Broward’s dedicated and hard-working Direct Support Professionals who provide services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These events allowed all agency stakeholders to express their appreciation to the nearly 200 ARC Broward Direct Support Professionals. ARC Broward’s appreciation events included: a complimentary “Dinner on Us” event for group home Direct Support Professionals, a complimentary lunch served by ARC Broward’s leadership team including President/CEO Dennis Haas, and a “VIP Luncheon” for Direct Support Professionals who have participated in ARC Broward’s human services certification training. Outstanding Direct Support Professionals were also awarded throughout the week with gift certificates. Parents and relatives of ARC Broward clients, as well as ARC Broward volunteers and staff were invited to participate by writing thank you cards to direct support professionals. Hundreds of the collected thank you cards were displayed in the front office of ARC Broward’s Regional Campus in Sunrise. “Our Direct Support Professionals are hard-working, dedicated individuals, who sacrifice a lot to support the more than 1,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities we serve,” said ARC Broward President/CEO Dennis Haas, Esq. “These incredibly devoted professionals work directly with the individuals we serve each day, and we could not provide quality services without them.” In addition to the agency’s celebrations, one of ARC Broward’s Direct Support Professionals was recognized by the Florida Alliance for Direct Support Professionals for her outstanding performance. Pam McGrath of ARC Broward’s ABLE program was honored with the title of “Direct Support Professional of the Year.” Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is part of the American Network of Community Options and Resources’ (ANCOR) National Advocacy Campaign, whose mission is to enhance the lives of all people with disabilities who rely on long-term supports and services by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a highly qualified and sustainable workforce. This is the seventh consecutive year the U.S. Senate has approved a resolution designating the week as National Direct Support Recognition Week. ABOUT ARC BROWARDIncorporated in 1956, ARC Broward is a nationally accredited, private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as those with various life challenges. ARC Broward operates three “mission-based” enterprises including the ARC Broward Learning Institute, ARC Broward Culinary Institute and ARC Broward Electronics Recycling Services and provides services through 21 programs in 10 locations across Broward County. By working hand in hand with families, guardians, businesses, civic organizations, donors and funders, encouragement and opportunities that create life-changing outcomes are provided so that people with intellectual disabilities and other challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities. To learn more or to donate, visit www.arcbroward.com or call 954-746-9400. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. ABOUT DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEKSpearheaded by ANCOR members, with partners including the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is celebrated annually across the country with special events and ceremonies earmarked to honor the tens of thousands of workers who enable people with intellectual, developmental and other significant disabilities and their families to live healthy community-oriented lives. ###
