09/19/2026
DSP Appreciation Week is held every year in September. Providers across the country recognize it. Although many roles are needed to run an organization like Reaching Beyond Limits, the DSP is one of the most critical yet often overlooked roles.
What is a Direct Support Professional? They are trained caregivers who work directly with individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities to help them live independently and participate fully in their communities.
Since 2015, we have hired and celebrated our DSPs, from the co-founders who were the first RBL DSPs, Amy & Robyn, then our first officially hired DSP, Clarissa Davis, to today, a team of 18 full-time Day Program Direct Support Professionals. We continue to recognize the effort, time, and love given.
On Monday, we began the week with a video of DSPs over the years, beginning with our co-founders, Amy & Robyn, highlighting our longest-tenured staff who have been promoted and grown from DSPs into new roles while still making an impression. Tuesday afternoon, we treated our DSPs to “dirty sodas.” Wednesday, we handed out awards. Thursday, we gave out paid time off. On Friday, we gave the DSPs a paid afternoon off to do what they wanted while the Leadership Team and Administrative Support Team handled their daily tasks.
➡️ Clarissa Davis, hired in August 2015 as a DSP, now plays a crucial role as Executive Assistant and is relied upon to support all operations.
☑️ Brad Rusnock, hired in February 2016 as a DSP, is now our Operations Officer.
✳️ Then, Brian Kuklewicz, hired in June 2016 as a DSP, has moved into a trusted Incident, Safety, and Quality Manager role.
🔆 Andy Kovalski, Caleb Bellas, and Sue Brandenburg were all DSPs and now provide Behavior Services as BSCs.
💟 Jennifer Olshefski & Danielle Billings began their journey with RBL as DSPs and are now our Full-Time Program Specialists.
💎 Shea Klimek joined us as an HR Intern, accepted a role as a DSP after graduating from college, and is now our Director of Human Resources.
🎯 In 2019, we hired Melanie Fisher as a DSP; today, she is our fearless leader at the Day Program, leading the team every day in providing quality, compassionate direct support to the consumers who attend our Day Program.
Enjoy these photos of our week —