Direct Support Professional (DSP) Appreciation week is September 11-17, 2022. We appreciate everything that DSP’s do every single day to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities in our community.

KCBDD is excited to announce the winners of our annual Direct Support Professional Appreciation Awards for 2022. Each year we recognize at least three DSP’s right here in Knox County for their hard work, dedication and determination to make the world a better place for everyone. We give out awards in three categories; the “WOW! Award,” which is a person that is warm, outstanding, wonderful and has a way of making lives better for everyone they meet. Our “Rockstar Rookie Award” is a DSP that has been working in that position for less than a year, has gone above and beyond and has made a positive difference. Our “Calm in the Eye of the Storm” award goes to a person who remains calm when things get dicey and always has a way of diffusing the chaos that can sometimes happen.

Our WOW! Award winner for 2022 is Morgan Velliquette. Morgan is an Independent Provider who has changed the life of the gentleman that she supports in a wonderful way. Her nominator said, “Morgan has changed the life for this 71yr. old gentleman. Not only does she care for his personal care needs, but she and her family have embraced him and included him in their family gatherings. On Memorial Day weekend this gentleman went home with the provider and joined her family for a fun filled weekend or riding in a side by side off road vehicle through the mud and on the trails. He had the time of his life. She also was able to locate his mother's grave in Youngstown, Ohio and she has taken him a few times to visit her graveside. This was very meaningful to him.

Our Rockstar Rookie award for 2022 is going to two different DSP’s that have made a wonderful difference in the lives that they have touched; Kelly Lewis (New Hope Industries) and Jasmine Lewis (Gantt Homes) One of Kelly’s nominators said, “Kelly started working at NHI in January of 2022. Kelly is new to this field and put a lot of time and effort into her training. She was originally hired to work in the HPC department with individuals in the community. When we had an unexpected staff departure in the ADS, Kelly willingly stepped up to cover that spot. She has developed a great rapport with the individuals in her area and co-workers. The individuals in her area love her and are always happy to see her when they arrive. Kelly takes turns sitting with a different individual every day for lunch. She has taken a very person-centered approach to her group and knows them well. She is always eager to try new things and visit new places. She also drives a bus for NHI in the afternoons and will pick up a morning route when needed. In her short time with us, she has worked hard to build connections and relationships with everyone and has become a vital part of our days here at NHI. We appreciate her willingness to do whatever is asked and her dedication to the people that we serve!” Jasmine was nominated several times and her nominators said “Jasmine is a wonderful hard-working star employee. She goes above and beyond and makes those we support feel like they are part of a family. She never stops working, she strives for excellence in all that she does, she goes above and beyond all expectations. All the individuals we support as well as her coworkers adore her drive and dedication. Jasmine’s positive outlook, strong determination and drive is a quality that is hard to find when faced with challenging situations. I am so proud of her. The sky is the limit for Jasmine, and we are blessed to have her on our team!”

Our Calm in the Eye of the Storm award winner for 2022 is Bev Roscoe. Bev is an Independent Provider who works with several people in our program. One of her nominators said, “Bev has been working with the individual she supports for over three years. Bev has become so important to him, and she has amazed me on what she is willing to do on her own time & dime for the person she supports. To give his aging mother a break, she started taking him to her home a couple nights each week - which he LOVES! She created a bedroom for him (purchasing the hospital bed he needs), a lift for their non-accessible tub that gently lowers him into his bubble bath (which he REALLY loves!) - all out of her own personal funds! Bev and her husband love him like he's family & he loves them right back. “