DSP Recognition Week

September 11, 2022 - September 17, 2022
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week 2022

Each day, the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) provides help and creates hope for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Sussex, Morris, and Passaic County, New Jersey. 

DPD was founded in 1965 by Father Jack Wehrlen, and was a pioneer program. Since day 1, the heart of our ministry has been our dedicated staff. 

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 11-17, 2022) is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. 

DPD's Direct Support Professionals are kind, loving, supportive, innovative and hard working. Many have been with us for decades. Throughout the week of September 11-17th we will be showing thanks for them within our organization and over our social media channels. 

Here are some ways that you can honor them throughout this week or throughout the year.

1. Make a restricted donation to our employee appreciation fund: Your generous gifts will allow us to tangibly honor our staff throughout the year and continue to show them how valued they are. Donate at www.ccpaterson.org/appreciation. 

2. Send a note to say thanks: Whether it’s a hand-written card, an email, a letter, a picture — hearing directly from the families whose loved one they support means so much. You can email us at info@ccpaterson.org. Letters can be mailed to: DPD - 1 Catholic Charities Way - Oak Ridge, NJ 07438.

3. Give a shout-out on social media: Post about what DSP/DSPs in your life have meant to you, your family, or your loved one for us to share across our social media channels to tell the world how incredible direct support professionals truly are.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ccharitiespat
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ccharitiespat
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ccharitiespat
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/ccharitiespat

4. Write to lawmakers: Public policy affects direct care workers in countless ways: from funding that impacts pay, to regulatory requirements and more. Learn more at NJACP: www.njacp.org/advocacy

5. Send a sweet treat: You can sponsor a snack or dinner at one of our group homes or supervised apartments! Staff can’t accept individual gifts — but sending tokens of appreciation to the entire team is more than fine, and greatly appreciated by our DSPs! Donate here or email us at info@ccpaterson.org to support. 

We thank our DSPs for all they do! May God bless them during this special week and throughout the year!