The Backbone of the Mosaic Workforce

Every year, the second week in September is set aside as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which this year is September 8-14. Direct Support Professionals, often called DSPs, are the employees and Home Providers who work directly with people we support. DSPs are the backbone of the Mosaic workforce, and without them, we would not be able to fulfill our mission to empower people.

Direct Support Professionals work in a variety of situations. Some work in group home settings or on one of our two campuses. Some are Home Providers through Mosaic at Home. Others help with day services or in-home support as needed. Our DSPs respond to the day-in-day-out needs to support people in the way they choose to live.

Mosaic’s theme for Direct Support Professional Recognition week this year is “Direct Support: it’s a work of heart.” It hits the nail on the head for DSPs, because if you speak with any of our seasoned DSPs, they will tell you they do this work because they LOVE the people they support. 

The work of DSPs can be physically and emotionally draining. They are there for what are often the best times in someone’s life. Examples may be when people learn to do something new and are excited about it, or they get to go somewhere they’ve never been or see someone they’ve been missing. But on occasion, they’re also there when people are experiencing hard times, such as loneliness or loss or feel angry or hurt. 

DSPs know how to love, even when it is hard. That’s why our theme calls direct support a work of heart. Expanding on the theme, we write:

Direct Support Professionals have
A voice that encourages
A face that smiles 
An ear that listens 
And a hand that helps 
All wrapped up in a heart to serve.

If you know or interact with any DSPs this week, please make sure to thank them for the work they do. Everyone likes to hear words of appreciation and encouragement.