A Time to Celebrate Our DSPs
Each September, Caregiver proudly joins the nationwide celebration of Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the compassionate professionals who are the heartbeat of our mission. At Caregiver, our DSPs work tirelessly every day to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), empowering them to live with dignity, independence, and inclusion.
From helping someone prepare for their day to cheering them on as they reach new milestones, DSPs are mentors, advocates, and friends. We believe it’s time the world sees the incredible impact they make—not just during DSP Week, but all year long.
What Is DSP Recognition Week?
DSP Recognition Week, held annually in the second week of September, is a national initiative supported by organizations like ANCOR (https://www.ancor.org/). The week serves to celebrate, uplift, and recognize the hard work of Direct Support Professionals who make community-based living possible for people with IDD.
At Caregiver, we extend this appreciation throughout the month of September and beyond, recognizing our team through: Appreciation events and award ceremonies Employee spotlights and testimonials Heartfelt thank-you videos and social media shoutouts Messages of gratitude
Across Texas, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee, and Idaho, our DSPs bring passion and purpose to everything they do. In our Heart of Caregiver series, we highlight the real stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by dedicated support professionals.
For example, Tamara, a DSP in Texas, was recently recognized for her unwavering dedication and compassion. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of the individuals she supports. Known for her positivity and warm spirit, Tamara treats everyone like family—brightening each day with love, patience, and purpose. It’s this kind of heartfelt commitment that defines what it means to be a DSP.
Another example is Frankie, a DSP in Ohio, was recently praised for going above and beyond every day, creating an environment full of joy and teaching important life skills with patience and positivity. These everyday moments add up to a lifetime of meaningful care.
Why DSPs Matter DSPs are the foundation of high-quality care. According to The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) https://nadsp.org/, quality outcomes in IDD services are directly tied to the stability and training of the DSP workforce.
By investing in, supporting, and celebrating our DSPs, we’re not only saying thank you—we’re reinforcing the values that guide our work:
Dignity: Honoring the rights and voice of every individual
Inclusion: Ensuring our communities reflect the full spectrum of humanity
Independence: Supporting people in living their fullest lives
Thank You, DSPs! We see you, we appreciate you, and we are so proud to have you on the Caregiver team. Your kindness, consistency, and care create a world where people with disabilities can thrive. Thank you for making every day count.
And if you’re inspired by the incredible work DSPs do, consider joining us. Caregiver is hiring compassionate professionals across all of our regions. https://cg-idd.com/careers/
