Tia DeFlavia named as ANCOR's DSP of the Year

Friday; April 11, 2008

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) awarded Tia DeFlavia of Special People In Northeast, Inc. its 2008 PA Direct Support Professional of the Year award.

“It is important to recognize the work done by Tia DeFlavia and her colleagues across the country,’ said Peter Kowalski, President of ANCOR. "Tia DeFlavia represents the best of the best among DSPs. Her commitment allows the people they serve to live more inclusive, independent, and self-determined lives.”

ANCOR evaluated nearly 200 nominations of highly-qualified DSPs to select the national and state winners. The chosen winners each demonstrated a commitment to improving people’s social capital, inclusion, and independence.

In her nomination letter, Kathy Brown McHale, Chief Program Officer of SPIN, Inc., noted, “Tia has found a way to encourage each of the women she supports first to have the courage to have dreams and then to be brave enough to work to make them come true. Tia does all of this in such an engaging and positive manner that others she enlists to help are delighted to do it. Tia in turn helps everyone. She is a positive force; an incredible team player who pitches in whenever and wherever needed.”

Tia not only has a gift for supporting people in a wonderful way, she is a gift. Tia makes what was impossible, possible. Not only is she SPIN's gold standard for a Direct Support Professional, but she is now also ANCOR's DSP of the Year. Congratulations!



About ANCOR

The American Network of Community Options and Resources is the premier national association representing more than 850 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 385,000 individuals with disabilities. As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR successfully addresses the needs and interests of private providers before Congress and federal agencies, continually advocating for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. The ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign was established to provide a focus on this critical workforce issue. For more information about the DSP workforce shortage visit www.youneedtoknowme.org.