Central Aroostook Association
honors staff for job well done
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Gov. Paul LePage has proclaimed Sept. 7-13 as 2014 DSP Recognition Week, and officials with Central Aroostook Association are doing their part to honor the direct support professionals (DSPs), behavioral health professionals (BHPs) and ed techs that make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
“We’re having a weeklong celebration to honor our more than 100 employees,” said Kim Grant, director of residential services at CAA.
The week consists of the leadership team visiting every program, daily drawings for gift cards, and much more.
“Our board of directors sends out a thank-you note to all the staff, we deliver fruit baskets and cakes to the staff of the different programs, and we also hand out a thank-you card from the leadership team, as well as a gift to all the DSPs, BHPs and ed techs,” said Grant. “We recognize and thank them all during this week.”
CAA has been honoring its staff in this way for several years.
“We want our employees to know how valuable they are to us and the folks they work with,” Grant said. “We think they deserve that recognition. A DSP, BHP or ed tech is a tough job; not everyone’s cut out for those positions. It takes a really talented person to be able to evolve to work that position, so we definitely think they deserve the thanks and praise, and wish we could do more.
“The feedback that we get is that they love receiving the recognition for a job that they — and we — consider well done,” she said. “They respect the folks that they work with, and the folks they work with respect them back, and this is another way for us to recognize their efforts and reward them for a job well done.
“It starts with them; they’re the ones that give Central Aroostook Association the name and why we’re here doing what we do. A direct support professional builds a close relationship that’s respectful with our individuals with disabilities, and allows them to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in their community. That’s what we’re all about,” she added.
Among the programs provided by CAA include residential services; adult services; children support; community case management; shared living; work services; home and community support; and OTC, which is a special purpose private school.
For more information, log onto www.caarc.com.
