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September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Happy Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week
DSP Recognition Week Outstanding Person: Liz Copeland at LifePath
National Suicide Prevention Week

DSP Recognition Week Outstanding Person: Judy Millar at LifePath

Governor Wolf signed a proclamation announcing that September 11-17, 2022 in Pennsylvania is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week! DSP week is a wonderful opportunity for the community to highlight the dedicated direct support workforce who are the cornerstones of support for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. This week of celebration is used to showcase the unsung work of these professionals, shed light on their successes, and identify where we can help them become even better at their jobs.

A sincere Thank You to all of the of the DSPs who work in the field of Intellectual Disabilities (ID)and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)!  You strive to provide quality supports every day to this population. Although this is a nation-wide event, PCHC would like to showcase an extraordinary DSP that serves individuals in Pennsylvania’s South East Region.

To celebrate DSP Recognition Week, PCHC is delighted to introduce Ms. Judy Millar.  Judy works for Life Path and was nominated for recognition by Kim Steinhauer, LifePath’s Program Nurse for Bucks County. Kim wrote “I feel Judy deserves recognition for going above and beyond expectations, making sure that no matter what, our individuals at our Keystone Program receive the best. Judy is an asset to our Keystone program and I feel she deserve the spotlight (even if she may not want it!). But that is just the way Judy is; a selfless, hardworking and dedicated employee of LifePath who does whatever it may take to help ensure our Keystone ladies are receiving the best care and feel loved. I wouldn't be recommending Judy if she didn't deserve the recognition.” 

Judy was interviewed to highlight and celebrate her achievements as a DSP. Judy’s answers to the interview questions are below: 

How many years have you worked in the field of ID? Altogether, I have worked in the field for almost 20 years. I have worked for LifePath in their Bucks County Keystone Program for over 6 years

How many individuals live in the home that you work in?  We have 6 ladies living in our Keystone program, the oldest lady is in her late sixties. 

What do you enjoy the most about your work as a DSP? I enjoy making the ladies I work with feel special, especially around the holidays. During Thanksgiving, I prepare their dinner menu from scratch. I comb multiple recipe books to look for ideas to make sure their meals are well-balanced with a good variety of ingredients. Mostly though, I want to make sure meal time is a happy time! 

If you had a wish list as a DSP, what would be on it? To be able to spend more time with the ladies just doing the things that they enjoy because it was so difficult during the pandemic when we could not go out or have visitors. 

The last word from Judy? I believe DSPs should strive to support the individuals they serve as they would support their own family members. Being consistently kind and thoughtful comes with job!