Previous DSP Stories

Many moments make me proud but especially when I see individuals reach their goals. Watching them trust you to listen to their needs. I especially love seeing them do things they never thought they could, like learning to swim! 

What makes me proud to be a DSP is the time and effort we put into taking care of individuals. It’s always great seeing a smile on their face when doing something they enjoy or haven’t done before, or that’s a new experience for them. Seeing the individuals’ different personalities is so inspiring. I love the way staff all come together as one to support each other and also how we just make sure individuals enjoy their time with one another. I love the work I do, and I really do enjoy my time getting to know the individuals!

As a professional in the human services field, we don’t necessarily look for or expect praise. We do what we do because it’s a noble profession, a needed profession, and a fulfilling profession. However, when accolades come your way from a parent of an individual you serve, it humbles you.  

I work hard to establish a professional and personal rapport with my individuals and their families. Kenyay’s mom, Ms. Dee, wrote a note to me after an ISP, ” I gained an even deeper appreciation for you after meeting three of your peeps AND two of your aides. You really are a gem and I really do appreciate your hard work and caring heart!” Yeah, I shed some happy tears… not gonna lie! 🙂 Ms. Dee, thank you for trusting us with your son! 

I still don’t look for it but when it does happen, I remember all the reasons I chose this career… it’s all for my peeps!

I have had success utilizing my personal contacts to arrange community outings for participants at Camp Hill West. For example, my landlord, Nino Purpura, owns both local JoJo’s Pasta and Pizza Restaurants and was willing to give Mark B, an aspiring chef and restauranteur, a tour of JoJo’s in Upper Allen. My staff returned overjoyed with Mr. Purpura’s kindness in providing a free pizza lunch for participants and staff! 

Likewise, as an alumnus of Messiah University, I received news of an upcoming one-act matinee performance of “Into the Woods.” As a service to the community, Messiah was only charging one dollar per ticket, so I arranged for two wheelchair accessible seats for participants and two standard seats for staff. My greatest joy was reading my staff’s service note for an individual who exclaimed, “This is amazing!” as he beheld his view of the stage from his wheelchair.

I have never worked as a DSP before, so I can’t begin to explain how much this short time with clients/participants has changed my view of what a career should be like. I really came to understand just how rewarding this job can be when I got to go on my first outing with all the participants. They were so excited that I could go with them and happy to have me around. I felt like my presence was so much more than support staff for them, but more of a mentor, teacher, and friend. I truly appreciate the opportunity UCP has given me and the connections I’ve made in supporting our participants. I’m proud to say I have a career as a DSP for UCP Central PA. 

Just today one of my kids took his first steps. I was so proud not only of my kiddo but also the family who has been working with him so diligently. I feel blessed to have been there for his first steps and we caught the second set of first steps on video for Mom to share with the family.  

In the last few months, I have had a number of kids taking their first steps and it is SO exciting!! Families are excited to share and I am always glad to hear about any first!

This year provided a lot of success stories for individuals that I supported.  

When you work with an individual from the beginning and you help them find a job and start working… and when you go back to their job for a check-in and they say “I have been working at this job for 4 years now,” that bring happiness to them and to me. You can see how much joy and meaning that job brings to their life.  

Success is measured for me by the little wins that our participants have at work each day. Completing a new task without assistance, using the task list and completing everything on the list, and smiling at the end of their workday knowing that they had a good day at work.  

I have grown as person since I started working at UCP and that is primarily because of the participants I have supported. I am thankful to each of them for allowing me to be a part of their employment journey.

My name is Ashley Bretzman, and I am a DSP in residential services. I have been with UCP for about a year and a half. I enjoy getting to watch the residents grow and learn new skills they can use in their day-to-day lives. My memorable moment might not seem huge or significant to some, but as a DSP working with a nonverbal resident, I feel it is a huge accomplishment for us both.  We often struggle to help create goals for him as he can be very stubborn and only want to do certain things. However, we established a goal for him to wash his hands after using the restroom and take private time to maintain cleanliness. He has been working on this for a month or two now and has made significant progress.  

I was working my usual 2-10 shift one day when he was in the restroom. I heard him flush the toilet without prompting! Then I heard the sink running. I went to check on him and he was running his hands under the water (and not just his fingertips like he used to do). He reached out to me for soap and then he rubbed his hands together, washing them appropriately. Now after he uses the restroom, either at home or out in the community, he washes his hands, dries them, and throws away his paper towel. I feel this is a major memorable moment because it shows how the routine and effort DSPs put into working with individuals pays off when they use these daily skills to increase their own independence. Moments like this make me proud to be a DSP.

The look of excitement when I took an individual out in a paddle boat at Poe Valley State Park was the best! It was the first time he had ever been on one. Even though he quit helping paddle about 10 minutes into the ride, it was a great day. We have many days like this. Any time I can share experiences with the individuals I support makes for a great day. 

Christian, a resident of UCP’s Huntingdon home, has attended speech therapy for about a year now. His ability to communicate improves each day.  He’s using longer sentences, utilizing a communications device, and attempting new words. The look of triumph on his face when he successfully communicates something new is what makes working in this field so rewarding. Our direct care team works so hard to support him through his challenges. It’s remarkable to watch his continuous improvement and see how proud he is of himself. 

As a DSP, we put our whole hearts into making sure our participants are happy, healthy, and valued. I’m thankful for all the bonds I have made over the last couple of years. The moments I will forever cherish are our dance parties and “spa days” on the weekends. I love coming on shift and having someone waiting on me with a big smile because she’s beyond excited to have a dance party, get her nails painted, and her legs and arms massaged. One weekend I wasn’t able to work because of health complications. When I returned to work, I was reminded how much I was missed. Instead of being upset about missing her spa day, the participant was more concerned about my health. So sweet. Our participants do a good job at making us feel valued. 

I took CS out to our community pool this summer and she enjoyed herself eating lunch, listening to music and swimming. Most of the day she was smiling and rocking/clapping. We even had several people from the community come over and say hi or try to engage in conversation with her since she has lived in this community her whole life. 

I want to tell you about a memory that makes my heart full of joy and continues to inspire me in this job.  

A couple years ago, before I started working at Greenbriar, Adam’s mother passed away. Staff noted that there were several times over the next year that he would start talking about his mother, causing him to become sad and anxious. Knowing that staff had taken him to his mother’s funeral, I asked about the location of her gravesite. I was told “somewhere in New Jersey.” I felt that maybe the one thing Adam might benefit from was a place he could go and talk to his mom, like we do when we visit a loved one’s gravesite. Knowing that “somewhere in New Jersey” was too far for us to go when the need arose, I suggested we plant a tree in the yard at Greenbriar.  

The staff took Adam to Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill where he looked around until he found the exact tree—a beautiful hydrangea tree—that he wanted to plant. We purchased it and then we took on the task of helping Adam plant his mom’s tree. Adam was so happy to have a tree he could go to and tend to, and a place where he feels closer to his mom. He takes pride in watering the tree and watching it grow. He has since placed lights around the tree and a small angel figurine next to it. He’s always eager to show his tree to visitors.   

It brings joy to my heart to know that this one small effort has made such an impact in Adam’s life, and that he has a place he feels he can go to talk to his mom. 

I honestly cannot single out one particular memorable moment, because this job gives me an overall sense of worth and value every single day. The proudest moments I have experienced all revolved around the same thing: when I am able to see that something I have done or taught has helped someone grow. I have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment every day that I am able to come here and see participants enjoying life. Their smiles, laughter, and excitement as they greet me each day is the best feeling any DSP could have.

Nothing makes my day better than knowing I made a participant’s day a good one!!! One memory that stands out to me the most from this past year is the day we took the participants to Lake Tobias. The whole way over in the van ride the individuals were talking about the animals they really wanted to see. Once we arrived, the staff at Lake Tobias was exceptional! They came down on their golf carts and loaded us all up. The gentleman that drove us explained where he was taking us, which animals we were going to see and gave background information on the different animals. He also interacted with the participants, made them laugh and really wowed some of them. The individuals felt so comfortable with this gentleman that they even asked him questions. They fed and petted some of the animals and even had their pictures taken with them. I guess what stood out to me on this day was seeing the confidence and comfort level of participants to interact with Lake Tobias’ staff. They had smiles on their faces the whole day and to this day, several months later, they still talk about it!

One of my CPS participants, Michael E, was having a really hard time. His emotions went from 0 to 100 in an instant. He was anxious, unsettled, and unable to calm himself down, or relax. So I started singing to him and he appeared to respond; he was so focused on me (or the song) that he began to relax. By the end of the song, he had gone from 100 back down to 0. He looked at me and said, “Sing it again.” I think I cried a little from happiness. There was only one thing left for me to do… I sang the song again!

Moments like these are priceless. Knowing that you truly helped someone when they needed you the most is the best feeling in the world!

I had many treasured moments in my previous employment at UCP Alternatives Adult Day program: assisting a non-verbal man with voting in a primary election, figuring out that this man wanted to celebrate Communion at Easter time when he kept pointing to the wine icon on his communication board, walking through the grief process with a number of individuals who lost those close to them, and living through many major news events with “my guys”–such as the Gulf War and 9/11.

I returned to UCP last October, and since then I have worked to help CPS be a “safe place” where participants can share their struggles while continuing to grow and experience a more fulfilling life. When two of the CPS participants informed me that they like coming to our site because “It’s quiet here,” I felt affirmed in trying to maintain a calm, peaceful atmosphere.

Now I want to share a more humorous story that impressed me with one gentleman’s comprehensive understanding of the Covid pandemic and his ability to advocate for himself as an adult. The main office at 55 Utley was decked out for the winter holidays, and our participants at CPS Camp Hill West were invited to visit Santa Claus. Jeff (a CPS participant in his forties) drove his power chair into the decorated conference room and around the Christmas tree. Santa gave him a hearty welcome while his helpers (dressed as Santa’s elves) handed out candy canes and applesauce. Unimpressed by St. Nick’s joviality and treats, my friend confronted the bearded icon by asking, “Are you vaccinated??” I stifled a chuckle while the Jolly Old Elf did not miss a beat and responded, “I am.”

I feel very privileged to work with such precious individuals. The smiles they give when they accomplish the smallest of tasks, and the way they interact with their peers and staff is very special. I feel we can learn so much from the individuals we support if we just keep our hearts and minds open to learn from them. They are truly a blessing.

My most memorable moment of this past year: I took Kayla to one of the creeks in Carlisle on one of the hottest days of the summer! It was a great time and Kayla had lots of fun!

Ever since March 2020, we in Home and Community (H&C) have been trying to get back to “normal.” One highlight of our normal routine was the monthly “family dinner nights” that took place in one of the individual’s homes on a rotating basis, with a group of Home and Community participants and staff. This was a great way to build friendships, work on cooking skills, and develop self-confidence. It also gave  individuals the opportunity to proudly show off their home to their friends.

When Covid came on the scene, we made the tough decision to end “family dinner nights.” Throughout 2020-2021, we did virtual group activities, engaged within the community while practicing safe distances, and refrained from situations where we might put individuals or staff at risk of exposure. We knew our individuals were missing the pure connections that they got from family dinner nights. We also knew we needed to find a way to create more group opportunities to socialize. As things have opened up over the past year, our goal in H&C has been to create engaging group activities and opportunities to socialize that were both safe and fun. We planned bowling trips and pumpkin painting. We took turns getting together in the communities where the participants live, visiting local parks to hold group picnics and luncheons, cook outside, play games, and engage in sporting events (our group is awesome at pickleball!). We also encouraged participation in UCP’s Christmas, Halloween and Summer block parties. Recently we met at a local pizza place where we were about to get 6 of our individuals together for lunch. The individuals were able to see their friends and learn new board games. More importantly, they were able to nurture their relationships, enjoy a new restaurant, and develop new connections. At the same time, our staff were able to connect and catch up in person as well.  What makes H&C so special is that the individuals we support are all kind and they care about the people they meet. We will continue to look for ways to give our individuals long-lasting memories, real connections, self-confidence, happiness, and life satisfaction.

Working with Carol S gives me the opportunity to help her enjoy both the simple and the big things in life. We have to remember there is great satisfaction in playing a game and being silly.

I am a Residential Services DSP, working in a house in Dover with two amazing male individuals. Prior to joining UCP, I was a DSP for a mental health employer. I’ve come to discover that being a DSP is not just something I enjoy, it’s who I am. It’s in my blood to care for those who may need additional love and support.

I have only been with UCP for a couple of months, but I am so grateful to have this experience. Yes, there are some hard days. Everyone, including the individuals we serve, has bad days. But UCP is such a loving place of employment. The leadership really cares about their employees and makes everyone feel like family. My UCP home is the same way; I have a wonderful team I work alongside who are always there for each other and willing to help out as necessary.

As far as describing my work as a DSP, I would say loving, nurturing, caring, never a dull moment, some days harder than others… and some are the best days I’ve experienced. The individuals I work with really are the highlight of my day and I love being able to help them learn new skills in order to become as independent as possible. Some days when I’m having a bad day, it’s honestly the individuals who make it 10 times better. They become like family who you love tending to and worry about when they are sick or having a bad day themselves.

They enjoy seeing you, hug you and even some days say they love you or miss you when you aren’t here. They know we love and care about them as well and that’s why we do what we do. You get to watch them learn and grow with your assistance and they sometimes even teach you something new. The way I see it, if you’re a loving, caring person, you can do this job. It doesn’t take a special kind of person. But being a DSP is itself a special job with a specific title. We need more caring DSPs in our community and our world! Remember: “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.”

I work at the Carlisle apartments which differs from the other UCP residences in that the individuals live independently in their own apartments, with only the level of supervision needed. Residents have a good bit of leeway and the opportunity to do many things on their own. They go to the local gym, attend special events, meet with friends for outings, etc. We’re just there to support them as needed. Some go to community programs and others to local employment, and the staff are responsible for transporting them to and from.

Recently, I was able to take three individuals with me to a Senators ball game and we all had a great time. It’s times like those—when the individuals are experiencing something new or different—that it’s easy to see the impact we have on their lives. But I was reminded today by my supervisor that it is not always the big things we do that make a difference, but the small ones as well.

I have worked in this field for 17 years now and would not change a thing. Sure, some days are stressful. Some days you just want to throw in the towel. But in the end, to see the individuals smile and say they had a great day makes all that disappear. Then you look forward to a better day tomorrow.

My meaningful moments were over a year of four-days-a-week virtual visits to my home because of the COVID shutdown. Because of Jessica Ranck’s expertise, creativity and commitment, I did a variety of fun and educational projects every day. It was tough staying home every day, but Jessica created a great program for me. I looked forward to my visits every day! I learned a lot and had fun, too! Thank you, Jessica, for being there for me!

In March of 2020, I was let go from my job. I have had services for my two sons for years with other agencies. I finally decided to be my sons’ caregiver and DSP since we are always doing everything together anyway. This way I know my sons are getting the help they need, and I know that things are getting done the right way. The problem with other agencies and other caregivers is that the turnover is so great. My sons would get used to one person and then they would leave and they would have to wait a long time for another support person. This way I am always available and we don’t have to worry about the worker leaving us (since I’m here to stay)! I truly enjoy working with my sons on a one-on-one basis and it gives us bonding time also.

Being one of the many DSPs that were able to keep working, and keeping our individuals cared for and entertained, even though most of the programs have been closed due to the pandemic… what makes me proud is that we are still able to get individuals out on outings.

A pandemic obstacle was being able to be there for individuals, even though there weren’t many places open for outings, we made the best out of it by going to parks and enjoying the outdoors.

At the end of March or beginning of April, I was asked to work one-on-one with an individual from Harrisburg. I am not going to lie; the prospect had me very nervous, first of all because I knew nothing about him and secondly because he wasn’t from the Newport day program. But I decided that I wanted to explore something new and I agreed to take on this opportunity. I can honestly say 100% that I did (the right thing) because this participant totally became like a best friend to me!!!! We got to explore so many wonderful places together. We joked, laughed and got to know each other better the more we spent time together!!!! We even participated in the monthly picture (raffle) where our names were put into a drawing and we actually won!!! I noticed that back when I first started going to this participant’s house, he would always be watching TV when I arrived. Later on, whenever I walked into his house he would be sitting at the table waiting for me… that melted my heart!!!!

My challenge before this pandemic (which at the time I didn’t even realize was a challenge) was really taking the time to get to know the participants. During the pandemic, I started thinking about it because of the one-on-one time spent getting to know an individual’s strengths and weaknesses, their likes and dislikes. It made it so much easier when it came to working with the participant.

Thank Heaven for the CPS Home program during the Covid lockdowns! Laura’s Dad and I live in separate households and we both work jobs that require us to work sometimes from home and sometimes from our offices. DSPs Tammy and Lisa were able to be flexible with the locations and schedules, enabling both of us to work at whichever location was needed, often changing on a daily basis. I don’t know what we would have done without them! They kept Laura content and engaged all day so that she didn’t mind being stuck at home all the time, plus we were able to keep everything in line at the office. Thank you UCP and all of the DSPs!

When the pandemic hit and we were all forced to change directions in how we could safely provide services to our individuals, Home CPS was born. I had the privilege to work in Home CPS while my program was closed. As a supervisor, I don’t often get the opportunity to interact for extended periods of time with my participants; home CPS was my chance.

I was invited into Laura’s home and into her life. I got to know her as a participant, not just at program, but in life. I watched her flourish in her life roles as a daughter, a friend, an aunt, and a teacher. Laura taught me, or at least reminded me, that some of the simplest things turn out to be the most profound such as looking at the clouds and talking about what you see, sitting quietly while watching creatures in nature do their thing, or just laughing and being silly. Laura communicates several different ways: sounds, gestures, signs, and her iPad. I realized that on some occasions in the past, I misinterpreted a sound or gesture. The look on her face when she knows her message got across is priceless! I found out that Laura really likes to “crochet.” Her giggles and her smile when holding the yarn to make sure it wouldn’t tangle as I made the stitches melted my heart. As you can see from the pictures, Laura is modeling some of the creations she helped make. Laura’s determination to do things on her own is a lesson we could all benefit from. Being able to help her communicate and socialize with others is an incredible feeling. Laura taught me that human connection is essential to a person’s well-being and it can be accomplished without words.

Honestly, every time that I pick up my participant and see a beaming smile on her face makes me proud to be a DSP. I love that she feels safe enough to openly share her thoughts, feelings, and opinions with me. We have a lot of fun together and awesome conversations. Every aspect of the job makes me proud.

Last April, I began working virtually (through at Home CPS) with a young man who had never played BINGO!! I thought to myself ‘How can I teach him how to play BINGO online?’ So I Googled it. I taught him how to make his own BINGO boards with a grid system (since he already knew how to play tic-tac-toe) and found a website that visually showed him what number was being called, as well as what numbers were already called. And he LOVED IT!!! We began playing BINGO every time I worked with him, sometimes for upwards of half an hour!

About three months into the pandemic, UCP was able to move to remote CPS. I went to work setting up a schedule of things we could do together online twice a day. The first week we launched our remote CPS, I was actually on vacation with my family in Virginia. I knew this was going to be a great way to bring our individuals back to the program without the risk of physically bringing them back!! It soon became the highlight of my day—twice a day—to log on and see the smiling faces of our individuals, waiting to do a craft with me, or cooking up a new and fun food to try. We did exercises and several popular line dances. We read stories and did scavenger hunts. The most popular activity was bingo and I sent out prizes to the winners. Family and caregivers shared how the individuals would anxiously be waiting for the time to log on and participate in the activity of the hour. Soon, other individuals from other programs started joining and it was a screen full of smiles and happy faces.

I feel like in the time when it seemed like the whole world came to a screeching halt, I was able to reach out to our individuals in their homes and make everything seem just a little better, for one hour at least, two times a day. I have since moved to residential, as there was a great need to support individuals in the homes where they live, thanks to UCP. I am happy to say that I have met the most fun-filled, joking, laughing, respectful, gentlemen at Greenbriar. Every day is a new adventure. Every day is filled with laughter and excitement. I am not sure if I have changed the lives of any one individual while I have worked for UCP but, I will say that they have ALL changed my life forever. So, even though this is my job, it is much more than that. It is my life, my livelihood, my inspiration.

I have only been a DSP for approximately one month now. When I applied to this position for an internship, I did not realize that it would be the best decision of my entire life. I have had the incredible opportunity to work with some of the best individuals I have ever met, and I am beyond honored to have made an impact in any of their lives so far. One of the moments that makes me proud to be a DSP is truly a simple one; for others, it could be something so small that they would not have even noticed. For me, however, this showed me that I was truly in the place that I was meant to be! I was on an outing with three participants, and we were out at a park for a picnic. While sitting there, a participant who does not normally connect deeply with his staff was sitting near me. I have had the opportunity to really work with this participant and to get him to agree to participate in activities and outings that he had not agreed to before! When I asked him if he was okay, he responded like this: he looked at me, moved to sit closer to me, smiled at me, and said, “now I am.” Seeing the comfort and joy in his eyes when he was simply able to sit beside me, I knew that I was truly making an impact in his life. I have been able to encourage him to try new things, reach to go out of his comfort zone, and more! I now get to watch him smile, laugh, dance, and socialize with his peers more than I have ever witnessed. I am beyond blessed and grateful for the opportunity that I have been given by interning with UCP. I will forever remember these “small moments” because, to me, they will have the largest impact and continue to make me the most proud to be a DSP!

I have been able to connect the Shippensburg program to an indoor gymnasium within the campus of Shippensburg University. This has allowed participants to have a reliable and safe option to remain active and healthy while exercising. So far, they have been able to play volleyball, tennis, walk the indoor track, and more! They have all LOVED having this new opportunity, and I have already witnessed their energy levels and personal confidence increasing each time they attend!

Both my wife and myself are able to do our full-time jobs, working from home, knowing that Alex is well cared for, active and engaged in the community.

There’s no single moment to describe as our son Alexander’s caregiver, Natalie, has been so good for so long. Right from the start, she and Alex bonded very well. She shows a sincere interest in keeping Alex’s experiences varied and entertaining. From trips to the library, local parks and stores all the way to Lake Tobias, Natalie makes sure Alex is frequently getting out of the house. She uses his iPad for all sorts of educational videos (from YouTube and other sites) as well as his favorite types of music. We’re so grateful for Natalie.

As a Physical Therapist working with children birth through 3 years, I get to share a lot of “firsts” with parents. It is hard to pick just one moment as I really LOVE my job! I was working with a kiddo and scheduled a weekend visit to include Dad. We were working on the steps… The kiddo had been doing them a little with his family and had taken a little spill, so he was fearful.

We had worked on the steps the week before with just Mom. This week, even though there was some fear and minor complaints, within one hour we were able to see big improvements. He went down an entire flight of stairs. It was great to hear the parents talk about the changes they were seeing!

I just want to thank ALL of my daughter’s therapists and ALL of UCP for the support and love we have received during the past two years! There have been some hard times and amazing times with my daughter. I feel so much stronger and supported by you all! Every step and every “inchstone” (milestone) she makes is just a miracle to me. I can’t thank you enough! You are ALL amazing and I couldn’t imagine having any other TEAM supporting us!

I would like to nominate Ashley Wormsley for any recognition that you might be able to give! A cruise? A Disney trip? SHE IS SO DESERVING OF THIS AND MORE! Ashley stepped into Alicia’s supervisory role seamlessly! Ashley has helped Emily and her job coaches immensely with her new job. She has gone above and beyond by taking Emily for her TB test, her fingerprints, offered to take her shopping for uniform pants, initiated all the online pre-employment tasks with Emily, and, is even scheduling time to take Emily to get her ID renewed.

Ashley took Emily to get her hair fixed when Emily gave herself a Moe from 3 Stooges haircut! She offered to pick Emily up on a Sunday night, on her off time (her family time), so Emily could get back from vacation in time for her and Jenny to go to the pending apartment for their meeting. I can only imagine the amount of calls Ashley gets, even when she’s off, because she wants the girls to feel that sense of security. She made endless calls to Emily’s doctor in Hershey for her script refill and was prepared to go to the office in person because the staff was not returning my calls or hers! Superb! Caring! Kind! Thoughtful! Compassionate! Dedicated! Top notch employee!

Please accept this lengthy email as a chance to recognize a stellar employee! Please use this for performance reviews! Pad her personnel record! You’ve got yourself a great leader in Ashley!

Thanks, in advance, for giving this amazing employee a pat on the back!

Isolation was our biggest concern last year with Covid. With lockdowns, restricted visits, and all the cautions of the last year, we were pleased all the DSP staff responded with grace, patience, understanding, and a willingness to do what it took to help Christian continue to thrive. He came through last year healthier and happier and giving those big smiles and thumbs up. Thanks to all the DSPs. UCP – U Care about People.

“Chuck” as we call him (It’s a Peanuts Charlie Brown thing) still faces challenges but the shift to UCP has been a very smooth transition. He is now 28 years old and he continues to make strides. He enjoys his house and all the staff that work tirelessly to support him. Christian is doing better with all his activities now that he and the staff are able to go out in the community and access social, recreational and leisure activities not possible a year ago.

Everyone at UCP works so well as a Team. We feel as though we are all valued and are equal participants in the decisions that impact Christian. He is eating healthier and the staff provide him with fruit and healthier options and he lost over 40 pounds by making good food choices. There are so many people involved to ensure his supports are in place and the care and sensitivity shown him is amazing. In particular, the house supervisor Matt really does an excellent job of keeping open lines of communication and all the staff are trained, know what to do and are engaged with Christian, thereby providing him with a caring and safe environment. The DSP staff are engaged and active and Christian has bonded and is much more at ease and just seems to be happier than a year ago. While always providing options and choices, the DSP staff treat Christian with respect and dignity, understanding his differences that make him unique. We thank you all!

I’m happy to share our wonderful experience with UCP. I couldn’t have asked for a more loving, stable and caring home for my brother Ray to live. The moment when I would leave the house after visiting my brother and it didn’t seem that he “cared” whether I stayed or left… that let me know we selected the best place for him.

I feel that I’m a part of something that truly makes a difference. I view any challenges we may come across as learning experiences. I just wish I would have become a part of this awesome team years ago.

I’ve only been with UCP for 5 months, but I have seen the impact on individuals not being able to go to their day programs and not being involved in the community. Our individuals experience the same emotions as much as anyone else. They had lives before the pandemic too. They went out to eat and did various group activities. The UCP team came up with ways to overcome the isolation even if it was a limited amount of individuals meeting at a park to play bingo, or creating activities to do in the home when going out in the community was simply not possible.

UCP is a unique team that truly has all the individuals’ needs at heart. I’m proud to be a part of it.

Due to COVID restrictions over the past year, I’ve had to learn and adapt to new ways to get the individual I support out into the community because of her refusal to wear a mask. So we started going for outdoor walks in parks and by the river. We also began taking extended car rides which she enjoys. I also started offering more activities to keep her safe at home, including house duties to help with her independence. These included food prep, cooking, helping wipe down tables, and playing games. The memories are heartwarming things we share: like when she says “thank you” when certain things are done for her or some of the funny things she says, or her smile.

Working as a DSP has been very rewarding for me. I have built relationships with not only the individuals that I serve, but their families as well.  I’ve enjoyed coordinating outings into the community that I knew my individuals would enjoy. I’ve encouraged new experiences and a lifetime of memories! To me, making a difference in others’ lives is what CPS is all about!

I couldn’t choose just one experience, rather I chose one individual who I believe I have made an impact on. When I first started working at UCP, David was very set in his own routine. He had a favorite spot at the table where he sat every day. He had specific activities that he chose to work on throughout his day. David was not very social other than the occasional “Hi” to his staff and peers. When UCP evolved into more of a community-based program, David was reluctant at first to try new things. This was a major change in his daily routine, but with my support and support from staff, he started to enjoy going out into the community. A trusting relationship formed between us over the years. David became a social butterfly and enjoyed talking to new people within our community. He started to come to me and tell me places that he would like to go in the upcoming weeks. (Eventually he also began telling me of peers and staff that he would enjoy the experiences with.)

Even though David is nonverbal, I have come to understand his form of communication. David can tell lengthy stories through his gestures. I feel the changes over the past couple of years have given David more choices in his daily life. He has numerous activities that he enjoys in program, is very talkative with anyone who visits, and he enjoys community outings. On most days, he would not attend an outing before talking with me first. He wanted me to go over his outing location and peers/staff that would be joining him. At times, David would need my encouragement to either go on outings or complete a program task. Any time staff had a difficult time understanding his gestures or found it difficult to work with David, they would call me over and I could usually resolve the issue.

I worked with David in learning more traditional sign language to add to his own sign language. He learned a lot of new signs and often used them throughout his day. He started to have “nicknames” of staff closest to him. Those nicknames were in the form of animals. His nickname for me was “Miss Kitty” because he knew that I liked cats. He would ask for me by using the hand gesture for “Kitty” on all of my days off. Because of our close bond, I have attended all of the birthday parties he has invited me to. Not only have I impacted David’s life, he also has made an impact on mine!

I enjoy working with all of our individuals. Each has their own unique personality, likes and dislikes that creates a special relationship between them and staff. It is fulfilling to help each individual reach their daily goals, and work with them to build their independence so they can live their lives with more control, and dignity. Just to see our individuals learn and take those qualities with them in their day-to-day life is a blessing.

A memorable experience I had with one of my individuals was the day he first started turning on his own water at the sink, and then turning it back off. You could tell that being able to do that task was really important to him, because ever since then he wants to do it himself each time he washes his hands.

I think what I enjoy the most is when my individuals are so filled with excitement when they accomplish a goal or try something for the first time. But especially when we learn and see new things together. And when they are treated and accepted the same as you and me; we’re all different in our own unique way. That is what I enjoy about working in a direct support role.

There are so many memorable moments, it is hard to choose just one. But I have a first for me, when we took our individual to an “Everybody Plays Park” in Selinsgrove. It is a park designed for individuals with special needs. I was just in awe when one individual who uses a wheelchair became so excited… all she wanted to do was swing on the swing. Well, she got her chance and it just melted my heart. I can’t explain the emotions I felt to see the amazing joy coming from this individual. And that is why I do what I do.

My son, Kevin Smith, has been a part of the UCP family in Camp Hill for over 30 years.  During that time, Ruth Ann Ryan has been an important part of Kevin’s life.

He began visits to UCP at Linda Lane shortly after we moved to the area in 1985. He received vital physical therapy when he was young, but he also began to form bonds and even friendships with the staff. Kevin has Down Syndrome and he developed Autism during this period, so he did not become close to many people. Ruth Ann was the major exception. Kevin made it clear that she was special to him. When he entered the room and saw her, he immediately gave her a big hug. If you know Kevin, you know he doesn’t like to touch people, so a hug is a big deal for him. Even his mother and I have to ask for a hug before we get one, but not Ruth Ann.

Kevin’s Autism seems to prevent him from doing anything spontaneously. He will not even go to the toilet without being asked. So to keep Kevin involved you really need to know and understand him. Ruth Ann excels at that. She knows what he likes, what he doesn’t, and what he needs to do whether he likes it or not, and she gets him up and a part of the group. She has learned to interpret his signs and respond to them. I believe that’s the reason Kevin responds so well to Ruth Ann. She really “gets” him and he knows it.

We held a big birthday party for Kevin’s 30th Birthday.  When Ruth Ann showed up at our house, Kevin beamed, even before she gave him his gift. She is such a special person in his life. She has become close to the whole family and speaks with us frequently, about Kevin, but also about our other children and grandchildren. She’s not just doing her job, she is genuinely interested in all of us.

I believe Kevin will always remember Ruth Ann. We have worked with many fine professionals while Kevin has been with UCP, and we are grateful to all who have helped and guided him, but Kevin chose Ruth Ann as his best friend early on and she has filled the role with love and compassion. Ruth Ann will always have a special place in our hearts.

Having the opportunity to work as a DSP for UCP Central PA before my retirement in two years has been a unique and wonderful experience.

Most of my families do not speak English and it is for me a commitment and a responsibility to serve and help them. They open the door of their home and of their heart and that for me is priceless. It is also  priceless to see the looks of satisfaction and joy when working together they see that their children have made great progress or have reached their goals.

We work with great sensitivity, respect, and flexibility depending on the needs of each family. We are present every time they need us… whether it’s to translate the label of a toy they got or a document they received, or to celebrate their successes. We also know how to listen when they just need to vent.

I am well aware that every time I receive a referral and visit a family I am proudly representing UCP Central PA.

With the experience I have received working as a DSP, I am determined that once I return to Puerto Rico I will work as a volunteer for UCP of PR.

It is very difficult for children to pronounce my name. It is for that reason that for years children and their families call me “Nonni.”

I have been working since February with a family from Nepal. We had a positive connection from the beginning. Recently, we have had to do Tele-Intervention due to COVID-19. In each session the child told me in Nepali, “I want Nonni come home.” A month ago, we visited this child in person on two occasions and when we arrived, the child was at the window saying: “Nonni is here, Nonni is here!”

Two weeks ago the child had a Speech Therapy consult. The therapist called me afterwards to tell me how much the child’s family loved us. She was also curious as to why the child called her “Nonni” the entire time she was there. She had to say: “You can call me Nonni, it doesn’t matter as long as you play with me!” And we both laughed.

It can be really fun to work with Carol. She enjoys the same things that we all enjoy: relaxing and listening to music, taking car rides, eating good food, and taking walks. Sometimes she says or does something funny, and it can really make me laugh. it is a privilege to work with her and serve as her DSP.

I enjoy nearly everything about my role as a DSP. I love getting to know the participants and I especially love taking them on community outings. There is so much to learn about each individual, and they’re all such loving and appreciative people. Every day is different. I love coming to work. Nothing feels better than arriving to work and getting big smiles and hugs.

I haven’t been in the field long, but I’ve had plenty of memorable experiences so far. One memory that makes me smile happened during my first few weeks at the Upland house. I had never used a Hoyer lift before, and I was very nervous. The individual who required the lift walked me through each step and was very patient if I made a mistake or was clumsy.

Another fun memory happened at the Dover house. A mother rabbit had made her nest in the backyard. When the babies were big enough to start exploring around the nest, we spent an evening on the porch watching them learn about the world.

I enjoy the daily change and grind of working with our individuals. Every day is a new challenge or a new accomplishment, and each accomplishment comes with new rewards and smiles.

One very memorable time was working with one of our troubled individuals who had just gotten out of a difficult place. I was told he was aggressive and violent. We hit it off immediately. The 16-hour shift that I spent with him was filled with movies, playing video games, and laughs. He helped me make dinner and then we played video games the rest of the night till it was bedtime.

What I enjoy the most about being a DSP is the comfort that the individuals have with you.  The way they consider you family due to the fact that most of them don’t have family members to receive love and affection from.  Forming a bond with each individual and watching the excitement on their faces when you walk in the door is a feeling that is indescribable.  Helping individuals better themselves, and giving them a chance to learn and do things they possibly never could is what being a DSP is all about.

One memorable experience also explains why I continue to do the job I do.  One of the individuals that I support on a day-to-day basis has formed an extremely strong connection to me.  When I first started working with her, she was nonverbal, and had multiple behaviors each day due to not being able to communicate her wants and needs. Over time, she interacted with me, and I would have a conversation with her whether she talked back to me or just looked at me.  At that point, anything was progress with her.  Fast forward to a year and a half later; she now says small phrases, and can tell you what she wants… including “I get a shower”… “I want milk”… “I want water” and much more.  She no longer has multiple behaviors a day. Instead, we have learned she has a full sense of humor, and enjoys joking with her staff.  She is very self-absorbed, and loves to hear staff tell her how “cute” and “pretty” she is; she even says the same things when she looks at pictures of herself.  So, I would say that my favorite memory is helping my individual find her voice, and listening to her now talk and laugh every day.