DSP Recognition Week 2024

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

September 8-14, 2024, is National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week and the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is commemorating the occasion by honoring our entire statewide Direct Support Workforce and inducting 24 direct care workers who have been named "DSPs of the Year," into our Direct Support Hall of Fame.

These professionals are the best of the best and were nominated by their peers and the people they support as being consummate employees and unmitigated examples of what it means to be a Direct Support Professional.

Below is a list of the DSPs of the Year for 2024.

Region 1

Julie Appenheimer, Western NY

Kerri Wilkey, Western, NY

Anitra Spencer, Finger Lakes

Stephanie Smith, Finger Lakes

Region 2

Timothy Fitzpatrick, Broome

Eric Loucks, Central NY

Nicolette Bochenski, Central NY

Region 3

Del Constantino, Capital District

Evan Wagner, Capital District

Amanda Sarvis, Sunmount

Merry Barney, Sunmount

Region 4

Janet Williams, Hudson

Taura Combest, Hudson

Alla Bowser, Taconic

Darlene Baker, Taconic

Region 5

Charleen Chambers-Martin, Brooklyn

Gabriel Hernandez, Brooklyn

Earle Russell, Metro NY

Jamahl Humbert, Staten Island

Shaneequelakeeya Pierre-Antoine, Staten Island

Region 6

Sajal Somadder, Bernard Fineson

Ernestine Murray, Bernard Fineson

Ferdinand DeOcampo, Long Island

Yolanda Trent, Long Island

Please join me in recognizing all direct support professionals everywhere. They are DSPs of the Year every day.

Sincerely,

Willow Baer

Acting Commissioner

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