ANCOR Names Janae Baptiste As 2014 Direct Support Professional Of The Year For Louisiana
Honoring work in support of community living for people with disabilities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Donna Betzer
Volunteers of America
(o) 504-486-8667 | (c) 504-722-9575
dbetzer@voagno.org
New Orleans, LA (May 6, 2014) - The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) recognized Janae Baptiste of Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans as the 2014 Direct Support Professional of the Year for Louisiana.
“We at Volunteers of America are so proud of Janae. This award recognizes the dedication she has to support people with disabilities and reflects the quality of services provided by Volunteers of America,” said James LeBlanc, President/CEO of Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans.
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) - also referred to as caregivers, personal assistants and direct care or homecare aides - provide daily support services for the many Americans living with disabilities. Janae has assisted Dot, diagnosed with Schizophrenia, for the past few years. With Janae’s support, Dot has gone from homelessness to maintaining the same home for four years and has re-established family relations that had been long lost.
“DSPs are on the front lines supporting people with disabilities and ensuring those individuals are granted full inclusion in their communities,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “It is absolutely essential that individuals, like Janae, are given the recognition and respect they deserve.”
ANCOR’s Direct Support Professional Recognition Award is given to those who personify the values of ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign, which works to ensure a well-trained and sustainable direct support workforce. Nominees are judged on the work they’ve done to build social networks, substantive community participation and advocating for the people they serve.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men returning from prison, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart-and ultimately the spirit-of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.
About ANCOR
The American Network of Community Options and Resources is a national trade association representing more than 800 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 400,000 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. Through its National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR seeks to obtain the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct support workforce. ANCOR provides organization, professional, leadership development and networking opportunities and services and is continually working toward partnerships and collaborations that advance our vision, mission and goals. Its prime goal is to be the indispensable leader, resource and advocate for a diverse private disability services network that ensures full citizenship and engaged community participation for people with disabilities of all ages. For more information about ANCOR, visit www.ancor.org.