Recognizing workers

To the Editor:

The week of Sept. 13-19 has been designated at the national and state levels as “Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week.” It is appropriate to recognize and honor the important role that direct support workers play in the lives of people with disabilities and in the communities where they live and work.

Direct support professionals provide support that allows people with disabilities to stayed connected to communities and assists people with disabilities to live meaningful and productive lives. During this time of the COVID pandemic, the important roles that direct support professionals play have become even more apparent, and many committed and dedicated workers have continued to support people with disabilities through this difficult time.

Locally at STEP, Inc., direct support staff have continued to work with our clients with disabilities throughout the pandemic, helping them maintain their community-based jobs, sometimes as essential workers. After the end of the state’s stay-at-home order, STEP direct support staff continue to work hard looking for ways to help STEP clients safely return to a more usual routine and to reconnect with people and places. It has become apparent that the commitment these staff have to the people we work with is one of STEP’s greatest strengths and will help us to come through the pandemic.

STEP would like to take this time to publicly recognize and thank STEP employees for the valuable work they do that makes a difference every day, especially in this time of uncertainty. We are grateful for their perseverance and dedication.

Susan Eisenmenger

executive director, STEP, Inc.

Fairmont