Direct Support Professionals Week

DSP week really isn’t a week or a month or a year – it can be a lifetime. During DSP Week, we take the time to thank our frontline staff for being a role model, mentor, guide, advocate and cheerleader. CLA recognizes that being a DSP goes beyond the roles and responsibilities, it is also about being a compassionate, kind, committed and knowledgeable person.

As DSPs, staff have a front-row seat as people reach milestone dates like birthdays; achieve personal goals; or experience their wishes or dreams. DSPs are cheerleaders whether it is to lift spirits in trying times and to celebrate the success stories. A DSP also puts in the time of a lived life that includes personal hygiene, meal preparation and accompanying a fan to a hockey game or taking a swimmer to the local pool or buying bait for a fishing trip. There is also community engagement such as meeting neighbours or working at a job or volunteering.

A Direct Support Professional is exactly that – a direct support to someone. CLA sees its role as the cheerleader, supporter and witness to the successes of our DSPs. We talk about how supporting someone with an intellectual disability benefits two people – you and the person supported. In fact, it also benefits the entire Community Living movement, as a whole. We are proud of our shared association.

During DSP Week, staff were encouraged to participate in contests to win prizes plus there were giveaways and, of course, a personal thank you gift. Congratulations to each and every one of our DSP staff on making a difference.