“The backbone of our field and heart of our work force” Editor’s Note — Featured on this page are profiles of two state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities workers who were recently honored for their excellence in providing direct support to consumers as part of Direct Support Professionals Week. The OPWDD website stated these workers were being recognized for being the “backbone of our field and the heart of our work force.” CSEA is also recognizing the contributions of these outstanding employees and will be featuring profiles of more of the honorees in upcoming editions of The Work Force. To learn more, visit: http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_careers_training/careers_in_direct_support/ dsps-2013-main. Toussaint helps create strong bonds MANHATTAN — A few blocks north of Wall Street, Lystra Toussaint is dealing with a different kind of bond than the ones typically handled in the financial district. Preparing dinner and getting individuals ready for a movie night, Toussaint, a CSEA member and direct support professional who works at a group home run by Metropolitan DDSO, works with a team to make every day in their lives fulfilling. “Our individuals don’t ask for much,” said Toussaint. “Some days, they just want to talk or you may do something silly to make them smile. That makes their day.” Toussaint was among several direct support professionals statewide recently honored by the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities during Direct Support Professionals Week. Toussaint praises her co-workers for working as a team to provide the individuals with the best possible service “They all come here to give their all,” said Toussaint. “We have to be at our best.” For the past seven years, Toussaint has helped provide many services for about a dozen, multicultural men and women. Along with appointments, Toussaint and her co-workers also fill their days with activities. “There are so many things that we take for granted like riding the train, going to Coney Island and picking up shells,” said Toussaint. “It’s not the big things; it’s the little things.” Toussaint, a married mother of two children, said it still saddens her when people look at her individuals “like they are aliens,” who shouldn’t be seen in public. “They are a little different from you and me, but they have many of the same needs and desires,” she said. Toussaint related a time when individuals wanted to start a book club and two individuals volunteered to read a chapter out loud. “The individuals watched in amazement and then discussed the chapter,” she said. “It was heartwarming.” Toussaint fears that such memories and the daily investment she and her co-workers make in these individuals will come to a cruel and unnecessary end with the state promoting the Stone strongly committed to helping individuals GLENS FALLS — Making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities has been motivating CSEA member Dale Stone for 18 years. His commitment to his work, coupled with a willingness to go the extra mile, have earned him recognition by the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Stone did direct care work for 10 years in group homes in Washington and Warren counties. For the last eight years, he has done supervisory work. He now oversees operations of several Capital District DDSO group homes. “I miss the direct care work very much,” said Stone. “I didn’t realize how much I would miss it. You spend so much time it becomes like a family.” Stone still makes it into the field when a consumer needs help. If a consumer moves from a group home to an apartment or during other times of transition, Stone is available to help. Recently, an individual became homeless after being evicted from his apartment. Stone helped him collect his belongings and find him temporary housing. “He was in a really bad place,” said Stone. “His mother had died and he was depressed.” Stone spent a lot of time with the man, visiting with him, taking him out for meals in an effort find out what he needed and to help him adjust to the many changes he was confronting. Stone helped him get past some issues and eventually the man was able to again move to his own apartment.The man felt strongly about reaching that goal, and Stone helped him achieve it. Lystra Toussaint helps serve a meal at the Metropolitan DDSO group home where she works. closure, consolidation and elimination of state services. “It’s going to affect them,” said Toussaint. “Seeing all the familiar faces for so many years, it’s uprooting them from a friendly place and throwing them out into the wilderness.” — David Galarza Dale Stone, at Capital District DDSO offices. “He’s doing well,” said Stone. “We were able to be there for him and get him going in the right direction. That’s what we do.” — Therese Assalian 6 The Work Force October 2013
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