What’s Happening on the ANCOR Connected Community: DSP Recognition Week, Origins of Innovation, and More

The ANCOR Connected Community (ACC) is where the ANCOR Community comes together, no matter where you are. If it’s been awhile since you’ve logged into the ACC, there’s no time like the present to check out what you’ve been missing and jump into the conversation! This article offers a brief snapshot of what you’ve been missing.

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is an annual week of celebration in which providers and others uplift direct support professionals and the vital day-to-day work they do. This year, DSP Recognition Week is September 7-13, and ANCOR members are already getting their celebrations in order!

On the ANCOR Forum, several members are sharing what they have planned, and seeking other ideas to add to or expand their celebrations. With a variety of shifts and work to be done throughout the community, it can be difficult to make sure every DSP is recognized and celebrated, so a discussion of logistics is also helping to ensure every DSP can be properly honored and thanked for their work.

DSP Recognition Week is one of our favorite weeks of the year, and we can’t wait to follow along on social media to see how providers across the country are celebrating this vital workforce.

The Origins of Tech Innovation in Provider Organizations

A fascinating thread has followed a fascinating question! Technology innovation is always critical to increase efficiency and streamline processes. But where does that come from?

One ANCOR member started a thread seeking to gain insight on whether tech innovation is generated top-down, bottom-up, or somewhere in between. Some organizations have dedicated IT departments that can lead most of these changes, while others do not, but they all find ways to innovate.

The thread has prompted some fun insights, with some noting a more streamlined process while others discuss a wide open approach. Ultimately, everyone noted that there is rarely a singular source for innovation, and the importance of empowering all staff to be curious and unafraid to make suggestions that might make their—or someone else’s—job easier.

Did You Know?

Did you know that any time ANCOR hosts a webinar, an ACC community is created for all registered participants? This means that in addition to absorbing the content from the webinar, you can join or start an active discussion with those who experienced the same content and are grappling with similar issues.

This can lead to deeper discussion of the themes and and lessons, and help gain insights into practical applications from other webinar participants. Additionally, you’ll be able to find slide decks and handouts from the session. This is especially great when you register for a series, such as our newly announced series on mastering networking for I/DD professionals, as it allows you to get up to date on your own time.

So the next time you register for an ANCOR webinar, follow your invite to the discussion on the ACC and help get the conversation started!

André Floyd is ANCOR’s Communications Manager.