DSP Appreciation Week
We are celebrating you all week, Easterseals Midwest DSP's!
Our goal this year is to let you know how valued and appreciated you are.
Pictured below is a small sample of the 186 gift baskets that we will be raffling off all week. Sophia is modeling this year's t-shirt that was developed highlighting our core values that have come out of our recent strategic plan work.
Every day, you empower, connect, innovate, advocate and change the world. Wear it proud!
Check this page often to find out updates including team spotlights, raffle prize giveaways, and more!
Your Stories
Kris Krieger, Autism Training Supervisor, St. Louis - It is Direct Support appreciation week. With the onset of COVID-19 back in the spring, the navigation of supporting families as a DSP has required many changes. The needs of families have been amplified. “School from home? My child is not going to sit in front of a screen for multiple hours! How are we supposed to work and support our child with e-learning? My child is regressing. My child’s behavior has gotten worse. We need help. We can’t do this! Our family is falling apart.” Families navigating the world of autism struggle with fear, doubts, frustration and tears. On the flip side, they have hope, see joy, possibilities and celebrate the small victories that others might not notice. All of these ups and downs can happen multiple times each day. As DSP’s, my coworkers and I are privileged to be trusted to be a part of their journey. We help celebrate the highs as well as help to empower during the lows. We work to empower, not enable. We work to help both the individual and the family see that there is hope. DSP’s work to positively impact the families they serve and the community around them. I know my coworkers will agree, that the families we serve positively impact us, as well. I love what I do. Remember, if one day at a time is too much, take One. Moment. At. A. Time. A huge shout out to my coworkers and all DSPs! I love being a part of the autism team at Easterseals Midwest.
Amanda Browley, Autism Training Aide, St. Louis - Because of Easterseals, I have met many wonderful families and individuals. I have worked in Autism Services and Community Living; learning, teaching, and helping. If it weren't for Easterseals, I never would have met a wonderful young lady. She no longer lives in the area or receives services, but her mom reached out to me and I continue to take care of her in my free time. We have our challenges, but the fun always overcomes. At the end of the day, I love what I do and that is what matters.
Mary Frosch, Community Services Instructor, Joplin – I am so excited to be working for easterseals. I started working for this wonderful company on July 3, 2019. I have the best supervisors and co- workers that treat me with the upmost respect. Everyone is willing to help each other out when needed. I have never worked for a company quite like this and am so happy that I chose to work here. I love all of our individuals and we have a lot of fun and they get their work done. I have worked with two individuals that live together and we have been working on cooking since I started working with them. They have prepared fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, peas, pork chops, fried potatoes, bacon, egg and cheese omelets, pork loins, Tenderloins, just to name a few. They are getting so good at cooking that I just need to oversee and they do the rest. They are both very cautious when it comes to using the stove. Both individuals are so proud of what they do and love to share with their peers of what they have done.
Deloria Warbington, Funding Specialist, Saint Louis - It’s my joy to celebrate DSP week. I’ve been working for Easterseals for 2 years and it’s been an awesome experience. My job is spent making sure our individuals financial needs are met. What I the love the most is how our staff and management throughout Easterseals shows so much love and compassion to the individuals we support. That spoke volumes to me especially since I’m a mom with special needs children. Continue to show love and making the difference. #iameasterseals
KyShawna Walker-Carlyle, Community Services Instructor, Joplin - I enjoy helping individuals live their lives , helping them with challenges that people who are not on the spectrum don't have. I enjoy helping them socialize and have fun. It makes me feel good when I can help bring light to things that they don't understand to where they then comprehend their surroundings or situations. The joy of living individual's living their best lives without stress is my daily goal.
Rhianon Lee, Autism Specialist, Columbia - My journey with Easterseals began not long ago! It was only August 10th when I began working in the Columbia office as an Autism Specialist but I feel like I’ve been here for years! There are so many benefits to this job, including working with such great families, helping others, community inclusion, and even the staff I work with! I am so happy to be a part of this wonderful organization! #iameasterseals
Deb Bentlage, Community Services Instructor, Springfield - I recently joined this organization in June and am loving every hour of the work. The job is a dream fit with my experience, education and my heart. My special individuals challenge and thrill me every day. The ESMW Autism Services team is amazing! It is a solid nonprofit with a great track record of serving special individuals, their families and those in need of these services. It’s great to observe a nonprofit practicing sound financial judgment in using the donations made to support their very worthy mission. It is with great pride, I can say #iameasterseals. Thank you for letting me be a small part of this wonderful vast nonprofit organization. It is a “dream job” for this ol’ gal.
Raven Ballard, Administrative Assistant, Columbia - This last July I began working at Easterseals Midwest as the administrative assistant. I was beginning my graduate degree in clinical mental health in August, so I really wanted a job that would help those in our community and would, in a sense, reflect my passion for individuals with mental disorders/disabilities. Easterseals was the perfect match! Although a large portion of my job is scanning/filing paperwork and responding to emails and phone calls, I am able to take great pride in the business I work for and the jobs well done my coworkers do every day. I am thankful that this position allows me to connect to the community in new ways and assist families in their day-to-day lives. One aspect of my position that I really enjoy is speaking to families who are new to the world of autism. When they call, they are nervous and uncertain of what the future holds. However, after walking them through the process of what we do here at Easterseals Midwest and how we are happy to aid their family, there is always a breath of relief on the other end of the phone as they realize that they’re not in this alone and will have our support through the entire process. This is just one aspect of my job that I love, but most of all, I love having a job that I enjoy coming to every day!
Aly Brown, Community Services Instructor, Springfield - I have been with Easterseals for 2 years this month. I am so happy to have found this company and thankful that we have such a wonderful team. I love being a direct support professional because I am able to make a positive difference in the lives of the individuals we serve. Since COVID-19, we have had to make some adjustments to the way we deliver our services. As you know, we are doing everything outside right now. We have one individual in particular who used to routinely go to Bass Pro Shops to walk around for exercise, interact with community members and utilize the indoor target ranges to shoot a bow and arrows. Because of Covid, he hasn’t been able to go into Bass Pro which he had been bummed out about. We did however find a solution! We have been walking around the fish pond at Bass Pro, and looking at the taxidermy displays through the window. Our individual was very happy with this solution and is able to see his favorite store from a different perspective. We embraced the changes and found a way to make everyone happy. This is why I love Easterseals!
April Strickland, Community Services Instructor, Joplin - In honor of DSP week Easterseals Midwest was asked to share what we love about being a DSP. I love being a DSP because we get to help individuals achieve goals and work on everyday living skills. Being a DSP isn’t just a “job” I feel like you become family not just with the staff members but with the individuals and the individuals family’s!! I could not ask for a better place to work!!
Jordan Starr, Autism Services Manager, Cape Girardeau - It is beautiful when a career and a passion come together. I do what I do because I love helping others and making a positive difference in people’s lives. I have been with this organization for almost 6 years. During my time with Easterseals I have had a variety of jobs and responsibilities and have somehow been blessed with the opportunity to be the Autism Program Manager. Over the years I have worked with many families and have had contact with community members. I mainly conduct the On-Site Intensive Parent Training, community outreach, and oversee the Autism Services being provided over the entire Southeast Region. Easterseals has not only been my “work life” but it has influenced parts of my “personal life”. When my nephew was adopted he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. His mom had no resources or ideas on what to do to help her new son. She remembered that I work with individuals on the spectrum. Easterseals has given me the knowledge to help my nephew get access to early intervention and other resources. Along with that Easterseals has helped grow my contacts in the early intervention area which has helped my premature twins grow and thrive. This company has made a profound positive impact on my life and I want to return that “impact” to those I support. I have been blessed with a job I absolutely love. I work with families daily and help them improve their quality of life. When people ask me what I do and who I work for I am proud to say I work for Easterseals Midwest. #iameasterseals
Staff Communications:
Today Starts DSP Appreciation Week | A Message from our CEO, Wendy Sullivan (9/13/2020)
DSP Week 2020 | #iameasterseals (9/13/2020)
#iameasterseals | DSP Week 2020 CONTEST (9/14/2020)
#iameasterseals | DSP Week 2020 - Staff Spotlights (9/15/2020)
#iameasterseals | DSP Week 2020 - Staff Spotlights (9/16/2020)
#iameasterseals | DSP Week 2020 - Staff Spotlights (9/16/2020)
#iameasterseals | DSP Week 2020 - Staff Spotlights (9/17/2020)
