Vadnais Heights City Council Honors DSPs

During this month’s city council meeting, Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer signed an official proclamation declaring the week of September 8-14, 2024, as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Attending the meeting were Merrick Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Mel Deschon, Teea Gillespie, Jessica Henderson, Melony Nace, Teresa Nelson, and Rebecca Vaillancourt who gladly welcomed the city’s gesture of appreciation.

DSPs are crucial to the work of Merrick, Inc. Unfortunately, they rarely receive the thanks they deserve for the work they do. 

DSPs are the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. They are the primary providers of community-based long-term support services for thousands of individuals with disabilities in Minnesota and provide a broad range of individualized supports, including meal preparation, medication assistance, personal care and life skills training, mobility, and work and life enrichment opportunities.

Merrick could not realize its mission without DSPs. Thus, they deserve our gratitude.

Starting Monday, September 9, follow Merrick on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MerrickInc/ to see all the ways we are celebrating our DSPs.

Learn about more ways you can celebrate DSPRW at https://www.ancor.org/event/direct-support-professional-recognition-week-2024/.