Oswego Industries staff members pictured left to right: Direct Support Professional Amanda Munger, human resources associate Michele Hourigan and Direct Support Professional Randilynn Bartlett.
FULTON, NY – Oswego Industries and its sister agency, Arc of Oswego County, announce that National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week is September 11-17.
This week will give the agencies an opportunity to honor the work of Direct Support Professionals who provide essential services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.
“We look forward to celebrating and honoring the work of our Direct Support Professionals this week who work so hard to enhance and improve the lives of people with disabilities,” said Alissa Viscome, associate executive director for programs at Oswego Industries. “Additionally, low reimbursement rates can make it difficult to pay a wage that the DSPs deserve, so this week allows our agency the occasion to show other ways of appreciation. It’s also an opportunity to advocate with our legislators that DSPs are an essential part of the workforce and that increased funding to support their wages and training should be included in the State Budget.”
Oswego Industries and Arc of Oswego County received Accreditation for Excellence from the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) in February of 2017. As the first human service agencies in Oswego County to earn CQL accreditation, Oswego Industries and Arc of Oswego County share a vision for person-centered solutions to improve the quality of life for people receiving supports.
“Direct Support Professionals are continually raising the bar for services and supports we provide,” added Michele Hourigan, human resources associate at Oswego Industries. “We only wish we could do more to show how much we value and appreciate our DSPs year-round.”
Oswego Industries and Arc of Oswego County employ 60 Direct Support Professionals who provides supports through many of the program offerings at the agencies.
These programs include Group Day and Community Habilitation, Medicaid Coordination, prevocational training, Pathways to Employment, Supported Employment, behavioral services, Hourly Waiver Respite, camp experiences, and family education, training and support services.
Contact (315)598-3108 for additional information or visit www.oswegoindustriesinc.org and www.arcofoswegocounty.org.
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is celebrated annually in mid-September across the country with special events and ceremonies to honor the tens of thousands of workers who enable people with intellectual, developmental and other significant disabilities and their families to live as independently as possible in their communities.
About Oswego Industries:
For nearly 50 years, Oswego Industries has provided services and supports for adults with disabilities while partnering with local businesses to deliver production and workforce solutions.
Its mission is to be a partner in the development of comprehensive community services designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, by providing the necessary support programs to enable individuals to grow with dignity and achieve their highest level of independence and self-fulfillment.
Person-centered services include pre-vocational and vocational training, supported employment, day habilitation programs, and Medicaid service coordination.
Its sister agency, Arc of Oswego County, provides services to children and seniors with disabilities: together creating a comprehensive support system for Oswego County residents with disabilities.
Find more information at www.oswegoindustriesinc.org.
Discover more from Oswego County Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.