A Week to Remember

Home of Hope, Inc. celebrates National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

Sharlotte Shedden, Home of Hope DSP, enjoys working with clients and getting to know them personally.

Home of Hope, Inc. recognized their staff through National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week from September 11th through September 17th to honor the men and women who provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our communities.
Direct Support Professionals (DSP) include direct care workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers and paraprofessionals. These professionals are the primary providers of publicly funded long-term support and services for people with disabilities. Home of Hope wants to recognize their 300 direct support professionals who help individuals with disabilities live as independently as possible.
CEO Ralph Richardson  said, “We try to say thank you throughout the year to everyone for all of the outstanding work that they do, but this week gives us the opportunity to really stop and recognize our staff and show our deep appreciation for all that they do.”
Direct Support Professional Week is recognized by the State of Oklahoma Executive department and was given a Proclamation by Governor Mary Fallin.
“I’ve been here for 33 years total. It might sound funny, but I really love taking clients to their doctor appointments. We get to visit with each other and the people at the appointments and we really have a good time just being out and about town. I also love how fast paced everything is during the day. You have to really be on your toes, and I like that!” said Sharlotte Shedden, Home of Hope DSP.
When Sharlotte was asked what her favorite part of her job is, she said, “The individuals we work with because they really feel like family and you want to take care of your family.”
Home of Hope planned fun things throughout the week for DSP employees, including a large raffle for prizes. Boomer Solutions Pharmacy generously donated $250 to use for purchasing raffle prizes.
“We had so much fun celebrating our employees last week and we look forward to growing our Recognition Week every year,” said COO Dena Pitts.
Employee Liz Crumwell said when she first started at Home of Hope she felt a little overwhelmed and wasn’t sure if she was the right person for the job.
“A friend of mine that also worked here said to just give it a few weeks and she guaranteed that I’d fall in love with it and stay. I’m sure glad I took her advice because I’ve now been here for seven years and I do love it. I love interacting with the clients. Every day is something new, so I never get bored. I really love seeing our clients learn new things and try new things. And I really love how they greet everyone with a smile.”
Direct Support Professional Week is celebrated annually across the country with special events and ceremonies like these to honor the tens of thousands of workers who enable people with intellectual, developmental and other significant disabilities and their families to live healthy lives in their communities.
Home of Hope provides services in Claremore, Pryor, Vinita & Miami. To learn more about becoming a direct care professional at Home of Hope, contact Kristi Allensworth at the Home of Hope office, ext. 303 or email eat1@eau1eav1eaw1.