09/14/11 In Indiana, over 19,000 people with physical and developmental disabilities rely on Direct Support Professionals for essential support with employment, connections within their community, and basic health and safety needs. As the teachers, cheerleaders and many times the primary advocate for the individuals they serve, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) require a broad range of skills yet they earn an average wage far below the typical American worker.
To honor their important role and highlight the growing shortage of Direct Support Professionals in Indiana, Governor Mitch Daniels has declared September 11-17, 2011 to be Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.
“Pathfinder Services employs over 70 Direct Support Professionals in Marshall and Starke Counties,” stated Sandy Wing, Senior Director of Community Supports for Pathfinder Services. “During this week it is a time that we can offer a special thank you to our Direct Support Professionals for all of the hard work they do each and every day. Thank you!,” Wing concluded.
Pathfinder Services Direct Support Professionals in Day Services and Supported Independent Living services in Marshall and Starke Counties include: Nancy Arriaga, Terri Awald, Andrew Belcher, Christin Belcher, Andrea Blum, Carole Bowen, Diane Burkett, Tara Creighbaum, Sandra Eskridge, Renee Fields, Virginia Forbes, Kathleen Horn, Therese Ley, Kelly Lips, Joanne Mackin, Lori May, Beverly McDonald, Jennifer McKee, Sara Palkovich-Peterson, Beverly Ruggles, Josie Sluder, Glenna Stacy, Tracy Stacy, John Wagner, Sara Yakimicki, and Bea Young.
Direct Support Professionals in Group Home services in Marshall and Starke Counties include: Jessica Allen, Karen Bailey, Pam Berg, Alene Campbell, Bertha Collins, Marie Espinal, Shaylyn Fletcher, Shelley Fletcher, Mary Beth Jorczak, Cora Jakubin, Janice Kaminski, Gina Napier, Ina O’Hara, Connie Salyer, Rhonda Salyer, Bonnie Samuelson, Deborah Shepherd, Ehricha Sherland, Sabrina Spencer, Lucy Steele, Terri Taff, Cheryl Vanderheof, Tanya Vierke, Michelle Wheeler, Ashley Williams, Sarah Williams, Lanette Wireman, Rose Wireman.
Substitutes in Marshall and Starke Counties include: Tom Allen Jr., Jeanette Arriaga, Page Arriaga, Darci Dimmitt, Sandra Furlong, Linda Gilbert Smith, Debbie Godines, Kayla Holdread, Amanda Klumb, Linda Klumb, Bethany Kreft, Pati Meyer, Jessica Pfledderer, Linda Richter, and Mattaline Wilson.
Pathfinder Services would like to thank all Direct Support Professionals! Pathfinder Community Supports offers Supported Independent Living, Group Home Living, Community
Integration Services, Respite Services and Teens on the Town in Marshall and Starke Counties. Pathfinder Community Supports is a division of Pathfinder Services, Inc., a Comprehensive Human and Community Development not for profit organization serving Marshall and Starke Counties since 1984. Pathfinder Services, Inc. serves over 3,000 individuals with and without disabilities throughout Northeast Indiana. For more information on the services of Pathfinder Services, Inc. please call their Plymouth office at (574) 936-5610 or visit www.pathfinderservices.org.
