NJACP would like to thank the following Sponsors for their generosity to the DSP Heroes event:

DSP Champions:

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health NJ (the event platform sponsor) ● Enable NJ (the digital program sponsor)

Heroes Promoters:

Avidd Community Services of NJ Department for Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Paterson Elwyn NJ ● Quality Management Services, Inc.

Heroes Supporters:

Oaks Integrated Care Serv Achievement Center

Heroes Ally:

Eden Autism Services JESPY House Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled of Metrowest, Inc. ● The P.I.L.O.T. Services

Heroes Appreciator:

Alternatives, Inc. Everas Community Services Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy The Occupational Training Center of Burlington County

Materials

To download the ad show, click here.

To download the event recording, click here.

To download the digital program, click here.

2022 NJACP Heroes Recognition Awards

The 2022 NJACP DSP Heroes Recognition Award

About the Award

NJACP and its members have always been keenly aware of the importance of DSPs and the important role they play in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the spring of 2020, it quickly became obvious that our direct care staff were regularly demonstrating heroic levels of selflessness and compassion on the job as they provided care for the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities they served.

NJACP and its members decided to celebrate and honor Direct Support Professionals at a special virtual event during DSP week in September 2020. The NJACP DSP Heroes Recognition Award came to be. It was such a positive and uplifting event. And as the pandemic persisted, stories of the endless selfless efforts of DSPs to provide support for those in their care across the state continued to be heard. During an unprecedented and dark time in history, they were beacons. With the dedication, endless sacrifices and enduring commitment of Direct Support Professionals, DSP’s everywhere continue to prove every day that they really are Heroes. 2022 marks the 3rd year the award will be given.

This year, NJACP is delighted to celebrate one staff member in a Direct Support Role from our various member agencies who have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty. While many DSPs are all deserving, each agency has been limited to one nomination.

NJACP 2022 Heroes

Frank Bresnick, JESPY House

Mattie Byrd, Allies NJ

Desidee Calderon, Bancroft

Allison Cortese, 21 Plus, Inc.

Lashanda Dennis, Beacon Specialized Living

Henry Duah, ResCare Inc.

Stanley Duo, Enable, Inc.

Linda Hagan, Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc.

Patriece Harris, Oaks Integrated Care

Bernadette Joseph, Kelsch Associates

Prospero Kpordze, SERV Achievement Center

Noel Lacanlale, SCHI Disability Services

Barbara Marrow, Partnerships for the People, Inc.

Christopher Mevs, Midland Adult Services

Nacole Moore, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health NJ

Stefania Nagy, Delta Community Supports

Deaisha Nelson, Elwyn NJ

Lakita Paige, Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD)

Jennifer Raymond, AVIDD Community Services of NJ

Valerie Riley, The P.I.L.O.T. Services

Louise Root, Broadstep

Queyenda Sally, Everas Community Services

Maria Saravia, Department for Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Paterson

Brandon Scott, Eden Autism Inc.

Veronica Solorzano, Legacy Treatment Services

Lavonna Stanley, Quality Management Associates NJ

David Weiskopf, The Occupational Training Center of Burlington County

Elizabeth Woods, Alternatives Inc.

Charlene Young, JEVS Human Services

Thank-you to everyone who submitted a video for this event:

Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner, DHS

Jonathan Seifried, DHS Assistant Commissioner, DDD

Teresa Ruiz, NJ Senate Majority Leader (D-29)

Lou Greenwald, Assembly Majority Leader (D-6)

State Senator Joe Vitale (D-19)

Dan Benson, Assemblyman (D-14

State Senator Bob Singer (R-30)

NJACP would also like to thank the following advertisers:

21 Plus, Inc.Allies, Inc.Alternatives Inc.Arlington Heritage GroupAvidd Community Services of NJBancroftBeacon (Keystone Community Services)Butler Human Services DCM AssociatesDelta T Group Department for Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Paterson Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health NJ Eden Autism Elwyn NJ Enable Inc.Everas Community ServiceseVero CorporationInterstate Fleet ServicesJESPY House Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled of Metrowest NJ Kelsch Associates of NJMatthijssen Business SystemsMeeker Sharkey & HurleyMercadienMidland Adult ServicesMobilityWorksNJ Institute for DisabilitiesOaks Integrated Care Primepoint HRMS & PayrollQuality Management Associates ReliasResCareRue InsuranceSchenck, Price, Smith & King, LLPStaplesSERV Achievement CentersTarrytown Expocare PharmacyThe Occupational Training Center of Burlington CountyThe P.I.L.O.T. Services.

Lastly, NJACP values the continued support of it’s Strategic Partners, whose generosity not only makes this event possible, but supports all of NJACP’s events, and helps make webinars and other training possible:

Arlington Heritage Group Butler Human Services DCM Associates Delta T Group eVero CorporationInterstate Fleet Services Matthijssen Business Systems Meeker Sharkey & Hurley Mercadien MobilityWorks Relias Rue Insurance Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP Staples Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy