In this video message, Executive Director Leo Sarkissian discusses two priority federal initiatives affecting our community: President Biden’s efforts to secure $400 billion in funding for Home- and Community-Based Services, and the Better Care Better Jobs Act efforts spearheaded by Senator Bob Casey and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
The pandemic’s impact reinforces the need for change in the delivery of disability services. Some of us were excited about the prospects of positive day services change last fall. But that was not to be: the weight of post-pandemic work including “safe return” strategies, concern about finances, and extreme workforce shortages delayed new models or supports.
Governor Charlie Baker has proclaimed the week of September 12 to 18 the 2021 Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Within this post, you will find both the official proclamation, as well as some of the stories The Arc has been sharing on our social media accounts to recognize this week and the invaluable work of these DSPs.
As The Arc of Massachusetts develops our Direct Support Professionals (DSP) honor roll for the winter issue of the Advocate, I want to share two DSP stories that reflect the impact of many DSPs at agencies across our Commonwealth: Chelsea of The Arc of the South Shore and Casey of The Northeast Arc.
