Direct Support: More Than Just A Job

Valerie Largent is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Team Leader from the ARC of Monroe County. With over 12 years of experience in the field, Valerie is dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities in obtaining the necessary skills to obtain employment. She is passionate about empowering individuals, promoting inclusion in the community, and integrating people with diverse abilities into workplaces.

                

In this episode of DSP Talk, host Gina Scarpa interviews Valerie Largent, a DSP and Team Leader from the ARC of Monroe County. Valerie shares her journey into the field of disability support, discussing how she transitioned from viewing her work as a job to a fulfilling career. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities, rather than focusing solely on their limitations. Valerie highlights the impact of high turnover rates on the individuals receiving support and sees the benefits of having a diverse workforce that can enrich the lives of those receiving services.

Key Takeaways:

• Valerie Largent's journey from viewing her work as a job to a fulfilling career in disability support. 
• The importance of recognizing the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities.
• Building trusting and collaborative relationships with the people being supported.
• The impact of high turnover rates on individuals with disabilities and the need for consistent support.
• The qualities of a great DSP, including compassion, flexibility, and dedication.

Notable Quotes:

•  "A lot of times, people believe that when you see a person with a disability, you're only focused on what they can't do, not realizing all the amazing things that they can do." - Valerie Largent
• "It's remembering that you're there to assist them and not to do it for them." - Valerie Largent
•  "If you have the compassion and the drive to give people the best lives that they can have, if you believe that every person deserves a fair chance, then this is the field for you." - Valerie Largent

Resources:

The ARC of Monroe - The Arc of Monroe | Supporting Those with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities (arcmonroe.org)

The Regional Center for Workforce Transformation - Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation | Code of Ethics & Core Competencies for Direct Support Professionals

To listen to the full episode and gain more insight into Valerie Largent's experiences as a DSP and Team Leader, tune in to the DSP Talk podcast. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and valuable perspectives in the world of disability supports.

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