​​​​​​​TuscBDD will host career fair

TuscBDD, along with local businesses that provide services for people with developmental disabilities, will host a career fair and hiring event on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tuscora Park Dining Hall, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia.

Many people living with developmental disabilities in Tuscarawas County rely on paid caregivers called direct support professionals. DSPs help people live as independently as possible through various responsibilities that could include meal preparation, transportation, personal care, assisting with working or volunteering in the community and more.

“My name is Belinda, and direct support professionals like Luke help me live my life the way I want. I need help to do things like scheduling my transportation to work and grocery shopping,” said Belinda Kirby, a person who receives DSP services through a local provider called Advocates for Success.

“I’m a direct support professional, but I have also become Belinda’s friend through my work here at Advocates for Success,” said Luke Bordner, Kirby’s DSP. “I enjoy supporting Belinda so that she can live her best life.”

Due to the statewide DSP shortage, local providers attending the career fair are seeking to immediately fill DSP positions with people who want a career in hands-on care for people with disabilities.

“DSP employment has historically been a niche field that was not visible in the community because in the past people with developmental disabilities spent most of their time in a sheltered environment. These days people with developmental disabilities are fully engaged in their community. Because of the visibility factor, the general public wasn’t aware of the opportunities available within the field, but we are here to change that,” said Kerri Silverthorn, TuscBDD community relations and special projects coordinator.

Over the last two years, TuscBDD has put forth an effort to focus on how to creatively support local providers and DSPs. “We believe it is important to support the businesses that are providing the care for the people that we serve so that they can easily offer the best services possible. This is one of the biggest reasons why it is important to raise awareness about this career field,” Silverthorn said.

For more information about the career fair, email Chris Sapp at csapp@tuscbdd.org or call 330-339-9769.