EPI Employee Named Iowa DSP of the Year

posted on Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Waterloo, IA - The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) has awarded Barb Edsill of Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI) the distinction of Iowa’s DSP of the Year. The Direct Support Professional Recognition Award program was started by ANCOR in 2007 to acknowledge the commitment and courage of the direct support professionals (DSP) who work to ensure community inclusion and full participation for hundreds of thousands of Americans with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

[Barb Edsill (left), Iowa DSP of the Year, pictured with Stacey Winter.] 

Edsill has worked in EPI’s CHOICE Day Habilitation program for nine years. She was nominated by her co-workers for continuously going above and beyond creating memorable experiences and always putting those she serves first. One of 238 nominations Edsill was chosen as one of 40 state winners.

The ANCOR Direct Support Professional Recognition Award is judged on criteria in concert with the overall philosophy of ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign to raise awareness and compensation for the direct support workforce. Among other criteria, nominees are judged on their effectiveness in building social networks, meaningful and productive participation in the community for the people they serve and advocating or effecting change on behalf of people with disabilities.

“There were so many inspiring and deserving nominees that it was difficult to choose the final winners,” said Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO.  “ANCOR takes great pride in recognizing and honoring the remarkable work done by these professionals.”

ANCOR announced the winners from 39 states and the District of Columbia as State Direct Support Professional of the Year recipients during the ceremony in New Orleans recently. They will receive their awards from ANCOR and gift cards from College of Direct Support (CDS) in conjunction with ANCOR’s Governmental Activities Seminar, September 13, 2010, in Washington, D.C.  Vignettes showcasing the individual stories of all winners will be posted at www.youneedtoknowme.org.

Through its National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR advocates for increased federal funding to support training opportunities and higher wages for DSPs employed by private providers. ANCOR is committed to passage of HR 868, The Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act of 2009.  This federal legislation would increase Medicaid funding for support and services for people with disabilities specific to increase wages for community-based DSPs.  People with disabilities would benefit through stabilization of this high turnover workforce.  Direct support services are funded through Medicaid reimbursements; reimbursement rates are set by state governments.

About ANCOR
The American Network of Community Options and Resources is the premier national association representing more than 850 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 385,000 individuals with disabilities.  As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR successfully addresses the needs and interests of private providers before Congress and federal agencies, continually advocating for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. The ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign was established to provide a focus on this critical workforce issue. For more information about the DSP workforce shortage visit www.youneedtoknowme.org.