DSP Recognition Week May Be Over, But Our Gratitude Never Will

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Direct Support Professional Recognition Week may have come to a close, but at KenCCID, our appreciation for our DSPs continues all year long.

Throughout DSP Recognition Week 2026, we celebrated the incredible people who bring compassion, patience, dedication, and heart to the individuals we support each and every day.

Our Direct Support Professionals do so much more than provide support. They help individuals build confidence, work toward personal goals, develop friendships, strengthen life skills, participate in their communities, and live with greater independence.

Their impact reaches far beyond one week of recognition.

To every KenCCID DSP: You are the Heart & Soul of KenCCID. Thank you for all you do.

Celebrating Together: KenCCID & JEVS Hit the Lanes

One of the highlights of DSP Recognition Week was our Thursday bowling outing with JEVS Human Services.

KenCCID DSPs, individuals, staff, and members of the JEVS team came together for bowling, laughter, friendly competition, pizza, and plenty of team spirit.

And the final score?

It was a draw! Both teams won!

But the real win was spending time together, strengthening connections, and celebrating the people who make our communities stronger.

Brenda having a wonderful time bowling at the KenCCID and JEVS DSP Week outing.
Miles, KenCCID’s Community Engagement Coordinator, with Israel and his DSP, Bash.
Wolny, Franklin, and Paul getting ready to show off their bowling skills.
Brittni and Alvin having a good time while David enjoys the outing.
Alvin taking on the challenge of trying to pick up a 7–10 split.

After hitting the lanes, everyone had a chance to refuel, relax, and enjoy more time together.

Individuals and DSPs enjoying pizza and soda after bowling.
Gregory enjoying a slice of pizza after a great time at the lanes.

Building Community Through Partnership

Our outing with JEVS was also a wonderful reminder of the importance of community connections.

JEVS Human Services provides education, employment, and community participation supports that help individuals with disabilities discover opportunities that reflect their interests, preferences, strengths, and goals.

That commitment to meaningful community inclusion closely reflects the work we do at KenCCID.

Through community activities, volunteering, skill building, outings, and shared experiences, individuals have opportunities to develop confidence, form relationships, discover new interests, and become more active members of their communities.

We were grateful to celebrate DSP Week together and look forward to continuing to build connections that create meaningful opportunities for the individuals we support.

Celebrating Our DSP Recognition Honorees

DSP Recognition Week concluded with another special celebration at the KenCCID office, filled with lunch, games, recognition, and time together.

We were especially proud to recognize 13 outstanding DSPs for the many ways they demonstrate dedication, compassion, leadership, and commitment.

Florence — Goodnaw

Florence truly goes above and beyond. She makes sure incoming staff have the information they need to provide consistent support and is always willing to stay a little longer to help make the transition between DSPs as smooth as possible.

Jose — Bradford

Jose brings a calming presence and is highly effective at de-escalating challenging situations. As a trained chef, he also puts his skills to work preparing wonderful meals, handling food shopping, and helping maintain an exceptionally clean home.

Hawa — Sheffield

Hawa has built wonderful relationships with the individuals she supports and never hesitates to help when additional support is needed. Although relatively new to the team, she has already demonstrated initiative, responsibility, and strong leadership.

Vivian — Rutland

Vivian is a dedicated member of the overnight team who sets an exceptional standard for cleanliness. She frequently stays longer to help support the morning shift and ensure a smooth start to the day.

Doris — Ambassador

Doris demonstrates strong leadership, takes initiative, and helps ensure the individuals she supports remain active within their community. She can be counted on to step up when needed and consistently follows through on her responsibilities.

Maria — Montour

Maria provides exceptional advocacy and compassionate support for an individual receiving hospice care. Her dedication is also reflected in the care and attention she gives to maintaining the home.

Franklin — Rutland

Franklin consistently makes sure service notes are completed accurately and on time. He is always willing to support his fellow DSPs and continually goes above and beyond expectations.

Fatoumata — Bickley

Fatoumata brings patience, calm, and respect to her work every day. She consistently follows protocol and has a special ability to de-escalate conflict and help turn challenging situations into positive outcomes.

Shauna Mae — Oxford

Shauna Mae has developed a wonderful rapport with the individuals she supports. She is effective at de-escalating conflict, dependable in completing her responsibilities, and committed to providing consistent support.

Jamilla — Henry

Jamilla has built strong personal relationships with the individuals she supports and makes herself available when needed. Her dedication was especially evident when she took personal pride in making sure an individual she supports was prepared and ready to enjoy prom.

Ramatu — Willits

Ramatu has helped create significant positive change for the individuals she supports. Her strong understanding of their individual needs has helped them make meaningful progress and move toward their goals.

Lillian — Martin

Lillian goes above and beyond for both the individuals she supports and her fellow DSPs. She takes initiative to make sure the home has what it needs, helps with food shopping, and does an excellent job training new staff. She is reliable, dependable, and always willing to help.

Daniel — Martin

Daniel is consistently punctual, positive, and dependable. He is willing to step outside his comfort zone to meet the needs of the individuals he supports and goes above and beyond to make sure they receive the care and support they deserve.

Congratulations to All of Our Honorees!

Florence, Jose, Hawa, Vivian, Doris, Maria, Franklin, Fatoumata, Shauna Mae, Jamilla, Ramatu, Lillian, and Daniel each demonstrate what it means to make a difference through service.

Some lead through advocacy. Others shine through patience, dependability, communication, teamwork, relationship-building, or their ability to bring calm to challenging situations.

Together, they represent the compassion and commitment at the heart of direct support.

And while these 13 DSPs received special recognition during this year's celebration, our gratitude extends to every DSP throughout the KenCCID family.

DSP Week Ends. Our Appreciation Doesn't.

DSP Recognition Week gives us an opportunity to shine an extra-bright spotlight on the people who make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others.

But appreciation shouldn't be limited to one week.

Every goal reached, new skill learned, friendship formed, community outing enjoyed, difficult moment overcome, and step toward greater independence is supported by people who choose every day to show up, care, encourage, advocate, and believe in the individuals they serve.

That's why, even though #DSPRW2026 has ended, our gratitude hasn't.

To all of our DSPs: We see you. We appreciate you. We celebrate you.

You are the Heart & Soul of KenCCID.

And as we continue moving forward together, we remember:

YOUR SUCCESS IS EVERYONE'S SUCCESS, AND EVERYONE'S SUCCESS IS YOUR SUCCESS!

Thank you for everything you do for the individuals we support, their families, your colleagues, and the entire KenCCID community.