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DDAWNY: 'I Love My Job' campaign looks to recruit direct support professionals

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Tue, Jan 29th 2019 12:15 pm

The Developmental Disability Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY) has launched a recruitment campaign called “I Love My Job.” The campaign aims to recruit direct support professionals (DSPs) to not-for-profit human service organizations throughout Western New York, including Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Batavia, Corning, Olean, Jamestown and the Finger Lakes.

A DSP is a person who assists individuals with disabilities with a variety of tasks in home and community settings. Job responsibilities typically include assisting people with activities of daily living and supporting individuals in settings that support community inclusion.

The DDAWNY member agencies, comprised of nearly 50 units, report a DSP vacancy rate of nearly 20 percent across the region. The aim of the campaign is to recruit and retain qualified candidates to fill these positions.

Wendy McCarthy, association manager for DDAWNY, said she wants to raise awareness for the high demand of DSPs across the region: “Direct support professionals are the frontline staff that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families rely on for support on a daily basis. Staff turnover of DSPs in agencies is hard on everyone, but even more so on the people being served. We are looking to recruit people to our field who are reliable, compassionate, patient and committed to this type of work.”

There are currently 62 open positions on ilovemyjob.careers.

“There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing you are making a direct and positive impact on a person’s life,” McCarthy said.

About DDAWNY

The Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York is a collaborative group of member voluntary agencies that provide services to people with developmental disabilities. While honoring individual agency missions, it is the intent of the alliance to assist agencies to develop relationships, promote unified strategies and share risks for the mutual gain with and for the benefit of people with developmental disabilities. Learn more at ddawny.org.

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