Award Winning DSPs
DSPs are direct care workers, in-home support workers, or personal attendants who empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live independent, enjoyable and inclusive lives. Since 2007, ANCOR has recognized DSPs from each state who work tirelessly to provide safe, compassionate care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Linda Lannin – Lincoln, Nebraska
Linda has dedicated her life to working with people with disabilities. She began her career as a teacher in the special education field and has spent the last 30 years with ResCare Community Living, helping individuals with intellectual disabilities live as independently as possible.
Linda is a strong advocate for all persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Every year, she attends the Senatorial Dinner with clients to speak with Nebraska senators to promote legislation and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities and to approve increased rates for supporting individuals in services.
There are many client success stories in which Linda played a vital role in helping them achieve goals, and they enjoy independence because of the bond that Linda has with them and their families and guardians.
Shannon Neece – Bluefield, West Virginia
Direct Support Professional Shannon truly loves her job. She is patient and provides emotional and physical support to the individuals she cares for.
Management and co-workers trust Shannon’s judgment to make the right decisions and overcome any barriers that may present themselves. She is always there to help teach and lead the staff to more positive work ethics, habits, and attitudes. She observes client and staff bonds and suggests positive forms of redirecting for smoother transitioning from behaviors. She demonstrates leadership with every client and co-worker she interacts with.
Shannon forms positive relationships with her clients and the staff she works with. She is determined to promote a healthy, safe environment for the clients and staff.
Yolanda Polk – Jeanereatte, Louisiana
Yolanda wants clients to have the best quality of life possible. She enjoys interacting with them and says their smiling faces bring her joy. If a client is upset, Yolanda feels it’s her responsibility to determine the cause and identify a solution. They have become her family, and she treats them all that way.
“I want all my clients and everyone with a disability to be treated with love. I love my clients as if they are my family members,” Yolanda said.
Yolanda is known to most clients as “Momma,” and she has special relationships with them all. When she arrives at the homes, their faces light up. She listens when they want to talk, vent, or even sing to her, and even sings along with them.
Angela Sovine – Saginaw, Michigan
Angela is the blueprint for an exceptional Residential Manager. She is a great advocate, helps clients set attainable goals, and ensures their voices are heard and their choices considered for their care plan.
Our clients need positive relationships in their lives, especially with family, and Angela helps them identify and nurture those relationships. She encourages them to have regular contact with their families and suggests they invite them to program parties. During the holidays, she does crafts with our clients, and they make cards to send to their families.
Angela focuses on ensuring that those we serve get the best quality care. She trains and leads the staff and encourages and coaches them to leave others better than how they found them. By holding her staff accountable, Angela constantly reminds them to do what is right, not what is easy. She displays great humility and pride in what she does and promotes a welcoming environment.
Tammy Walker – Ocala, Florida
For over 30 years, Tammy has achieved many positive outcomes for her clients by focusing on their abilities instead of their disabilities. She constantly advocates for her clients during program goal development by providing the clinical team with valuable insight into every individual to ensure active treatment is person-centered and designed to give each person the best opportunity to achieve their goals. Tammy always finds ways to integrate each resident’s preferences into their daily routine creatively and takes her time assisting residents while promoting their independence. There are many stories about how Tammy’s proactive advocacy and abilities-focused approach helped her clients meet their goals and led to successful, positive outcomes.
Margaret West – Blaine, Ohio
Peggy has devoted more than 42 years to serving individuals with disabilities. She advocates for her clients and does her best to make sure they have what they want and need. She strives to make the clients feel secure at home and in relationships.
Many individuals Peggy works with have little to no family. Naturally, as most exceptional direct care staff do, Peggy becomes like family to them. She always works towards building and maintaining her relationship with the individual so they know they can trust and count on her. Peggy encourages clients to reach for the stars, think, and go bigger.
Peggy unfailingly provides care and support to both clients and fellow employees. She is very in tune with her clients’ needs and ensures that everyone is doing their best every day for the needs of all involved. Peggy sees the possibilities for all individuals and embodies this in her work every day.
The six 2024 DSP of the Year award winners from ResCare Community Living have been selected from hundreds of nominees for their exemplary talent, integrity, leadership, and commitment to the people we support. Each of them is known for going above and beyond in the essential care that they provide, prioritizing strong relationships with their clients, advocating for their needs, and changing the lives of those around them.