Today marks the first day of Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week! The week is celebrated nationally and is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities.

We are thrilled to honor the DSP workforce specially this week, and it is our aim that the Mainstay DSPs not only feel honored and appreciated this week, but also throughout the year.

Every day the DSPs are there for the people we support to make sure they are living their best life. They help others to explore their community, learn new things, practice skills, be active, and stay healthy. DSPs coach, advocate, and inspire. We are so grateful to each DSP who brings their whole self to work every day to empower people to live a meaningful life in their community as engaged citizens.

As the DSPs support the people we work for to enrich their lives and unlock their potential, we also want them to be fulfilled by their work with us. Written into our vision is our goal of being the region’s employer of choice for qualified and committed professionals. As the CEO, I along with the Mainstay leadership team, aim to achieve this goal every day.

In Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf has provided a proclamation celebrating the essential work of DSPs. I hope you will read the proclamation which highlights the DSP responsibilities, recognizes the workforce shortage and honors the role they have played throughout the pandemic: Gov Wolf DSP Week Proclamation

This week, please reach out to someone you know who is a DSP and thank them for their dedication to helping others to thrive. And then next week, and the weeks after, please do it again, and again, and again.

Thank you!

Kim Sonafelt
CEO, Mainstay Life Services