Marion, IN – Carey Services has announced its participation in National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. The week of September 7 through 13 has been designated as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week; Indiana Gov. Mike Pence recently issued a state proclamation in honor of the week.
“The Carey Services direct support professionals, or DSPs, help individuals and families to turn abilities and barriers into opportunities every day in several Indiana counties,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president/chief executive officer. Carey Services employs 220 DSPs who provide daily services for residents and their families in Grant, Blackford, Hamilton, Wabash and Cass counties.
“National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week is a time to demonstrate our gratitude locally for the dedicated individuals who work at Carey Services,” Allbaugh said. “These staff work amazingly hard, and they care very much for the people they serve.”
Carey Services staff will have several activities to assure the DSPs feel recognized during this celebration week, Allbaugh said.
DSPs are the people who work as direct care workers, in‐home support workers, personal assistants and attendants to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live independently in communities of their choosing. With an industry staff shortage, Carey Services is routinely looking for good, hardworking individuals to work as DSPs.
Carey Services is the premier local provider of home and community‐based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Carey Services was established in 1954, and is celebrating 60 years of service during 2014. The vision of Carey Services is “Carey Services envisions all people, regardless of their abilities or barriers, as empowered and equally valued members of the community.” Carey Services is an accredited, community based, not‐for‐profit agency providing an array of services to people with disabilities and other low income individuals and families.
Carey Services serves as the Arc Chapter for Grant and Blackford Counties and as a United Way organization. Supports and services are determined through person‐centered planning, where consumers and their families direct the planning and allocation of resources to meet their individual life goals. Call 765‐668‐8961 or visit their new website at www.careyservices.com for more information or to seek employment opportunities. Individuals can also visit the Carey Services Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Careyservices
The Eighth Annual Carey Services Duck Race created quite a splash, raising the most money ever and also being the first year it sold out 2,500 tickets.
The race, conducted June 28 at the Marion Splash House, raised almost $31,500 for the agency. Money will be used to help agency clients. This year also was the first year all 2,500 tickets were sold. The event, in fact, sold out two days before the numbered rubber ducks began their swim through the Splash House’s lazy river.
Much of the event’s success is because of the volunteers and the sponsors who support it, said James Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. Sponsorship also increased this year, including a major sponsorship from Round Robins Bingo, and many other local businesses and individuals provided sponsorships.
First prize was $1,500, while second prize was $500, and third prize was $250. In total, 16 prizes were awarded. Other major prizes included two $250 gift certificates to Lowden Jewelers, and prizes also were donated by the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers and Fort Wayne TinCaps. Several other local businesses also provided prizes.