Trinity Services celebrates dedicated frontline staff members during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

Trinity Services, Inc. is celebrating all of its dedicated frontline staff members who support people with disabilities during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week this Sept. 12-18.

Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide individualized care to people with developmental disabilities and mental illness, ensuring they have all of their basic needs met and that they are able to pursue and achieve the goals they set for themselves. Their work may include assisting someone with eating, showering or taking medications; helping someone learn how to type or write; or helping someone participate in different activities to enrich their life.

Trinity Services employs approximately 1,000 people throughout Illinois, and DSPs make up the majority of these employees.

When the pandemic began, DSPs quickly realized the enormity of the life-threatening situation, particularly for the people they support - many of whom are medically vulnerable. More than 100 DSPs voluntarily moved into group homes temporarily to eliminate shift changes and keep people as safe as possible for days, weeks and even months at a time. These sacrifices saved lives.

"DSPs are the backbone of our organization," said Thane Dykstra, Ph.D., President and CEO of Trinity Services. "They are integral to our mission and have the most direct impact in the lives of the people we support. They are so valuable, and they deserve to feel and understand how valued they are every day of DSP Week and beyond."

Trinity Services encourages all who know a DSP to take time and effort to thank them during DSP Recognition Week. Trinity also encourages all to remember the importance of DSPs during future legislative sessions, as they deserve to be paid commensurate to their vital work. DSPs deserve gratitude for all they do for others.

Trinity Services, Inc. is a 71-year-old, nonsectarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness flourish and live full and abundant lives. Trinity serves roughly 5,500 people in more than 30 communities in Northeast, Central and Southwest Illinois. To learn more, visit www.trinityservices.org.