On August 19, 2025, our leadership team came together for a full day of connection, planning, and celebration. The day helped us think about the future, check in on our strategic goals, and honor the amazing work of our Support Partners (Direct Support Professionals/DSPs).
Starting the Day with Vision
Our Directors began the morning with activities that helped us imagine what success could look like in the future. These exercises helped everyone feel connected and excited about the work ahead. We also spent time talking about our strategic goals, what has been accomplished, and how we can keep moving forward together.
Lunchtime Celebration: Honoring Our DSPs
At noon, our Executive Director, Marian Frattarola-Saulino, welcomed our DSP honorees and guests for a special luncheon. The first three honorees—Ambrose, Marelys, and Keriann—were recognized for their outstanding work and leadership in direct support. Each received a personal letter from Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon praising their dedication to person-centered support and their inclusion in the book, “Direct Support Workforce Solutions: A Guidebook of Strategies for Individual and Collective Action Toward Workforce Stability“. The book highlights their work as a model for others across the country.
We also honored Cathy Hinkle and CL Mannings, two Support Partners who are retiring this year after more than a decade of service to people with disabilities and their families. Their long-standing commitment and service have made a lasting impact on our community.
During the luncheon, we heard from three inspiring speakers:
- Amy Hewitt, a national leader in disability services and Director of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, gave the keynote speech. Amy has spent her career helping people with disabilities live full lives in their communities. She spoke about how important DSPs are and why they deserve better pay, training, and support.
- Sally, Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, shared updates about her work with the DSP Project and reminded us how much DSPs matter in everyday life.
- Jeremy Yale, Bureau Of Policy And Quality Management Director with the Office of Developmental Programs also spoke, confirming that DSPs play a critical role in helping people with disabilities to live everyday lives of their choosing.
We also heard directly from our DSP honorees, who shared advice, stories, and ideas for how employers and lawmakers can better support their work. Chief of Staff for Senator Kearney attended the luncheon and reiterated the importance of sharing personal stories with elected officials.
Here’s a short video to get a feel for the luncheon:
Video credit: Myra Brown, Community Support Facilitator
Afternoon Planning
In the afternoon, leaders from teams across the organization came back together to review our plans and make sure we’re on track. We talked about what’s working, what needs more attention, and how we can support each other to reach our goals. This feedback will help to inform the refresh of our Strategic Plan this fall.
A Personal Reflection
At the end of the day, the strongest feelings were pride and gratitude.
Pride in this amazing community of people who come together around a shared mission, vision, and values. Pride in the work our support partners do every day in partnership with people with disabilities and their families. Pride in the leadership, teamwork, and mutually supportive relationships that were so clearly present throughout the day.
And deep gratitude for the opportunity to be part of something so meaningful to so many. Gratitude for the chance to work alongside people who are thoughtful and committed to making a difference.
This year, Values Into Action celebrates its 20th anniversary. And this week, I celebrate 16 years of service with the organization. It’s been a journey filled with learning, growth, and purpose. I’m thankful every day to be part of this mission and to help shape a future where everyone is valued, included, and supported.