On Direct Support Appreciation Day held September 28th 2007 Governor Lynch signed a yellow flag and helped us kick off the
DSP Yellow Flag Campaign.
Barbara Wilson of From the Heart Studio & Gardens started the DSP Yellow Flag Campaign as a way
to promote and build awareness about the DSP career.
People seeking employment in this exciting and
rewarding field are declining because the work of a DSP often goes unrecognized. The turnover rate is high. Organizations struggle as they use limited funds to continually train and hire new employees and meet the rising costs of care. Inadequate wages force DSPs to work extra jobs or seek other careers. The stress on the DSPs, their families, the people with whom they work and the organization they work for is enormous.
What can we do? When the DSP career is valued and seen as a respected profession the field will flourish. Qualified candidates entering the field will increase. The turnover rate will decease. The lives of the DSP and the people with whom they work will be more
consistent and fulfilling and promote career longevity.
We are asking people with whom DSPs work, families, friends, and organizations to make a yellow flag to recognize and show their appreciation and support for the Direct Support Professionals in their life.
We hope everyone will make a flag and
show DSPs your support. We encourage
all 50 states to join us and show their
support each year by proclaiming the
4th Friday of September
DSP Appreciation Day
and fly your flags with us.
Join us on Sept. 26 2008
at the Capital in Concord NH.
For more info e-mail us at
heartstudio@verizon.net
