Shirley Ross – West Virginia Direct Support Professional of the Year
For almost 30 years, Shirley Ross has dedicated her life to supporting her clients. She has spent decades assisting clients in building close relationships and through her efforts, clients have been reunited with family members, joined social events and clubs in their communities, and discovered or maintained a religious community.
Shirley takes her role seriously as an advocate and caretaker. She has taken new employees under her wing, teaching the basics of the role and sharing her wisdom and experience. Shirley instills in others the drive toward perseverance and commitment to meeting the established goals and the desire to exceed expectations. Shirley fosters an environment of growth and development, knowing that the seeds she plants today will blossom in those who will fill her footsteps in the coming years. Her gentle approach and steadfast belief in our services have been the foundation for many employees and will no doubt continue to be a driving force as they become the new leaders of tomorrow.
Shirley has a way of breaking down seemingly complicated situations. She gains inspiration from past success stories and tailors her service to the specific needs of those she supports. One of her clients was often written off as “a grumpy old man” who was set in his ways and resistant to support. Through her time with him, Shirley established a meaningful rapport and was often the driving force behind teaching gentler ways of responding to others. While others didn’t see the ability to change this client’s mindset, Shirley rose to the challenge, helping him navigate to have better relationships. She had another client with whom she worked through refusals and aggressive behavior to ensure they could attend their local senior center. She advocated on the person’s behalf, increasing awareness of her challenges and proactive ways to communicate during her visits, allowing the client to continue attending and further develop a support system. For another individual, as caregivers shifted and documentation began to lose specifics, Shirley came forward to ensure all were aware of his relationship with a friend from church, advocating on his behalf to have the information retained in his plan and to ensure he continued to have routine visits to build his relationship further. Where this critical piece of information for him could have been lost and created a challenge to personal relationships, Shirley ensured it would be maintained in the years to come.
Shirley always knows the right thing to do, no matter the situation. She encourages accountability for her clients to better their lives. Regardless of how long Shirley worked in the field, she remains committed to her team’s goals and takes responsibility for the outcomes achieved. She has an improvement mindset, always identifying ways to improve when needed. She works diligently, focuses on the mission, and seizes opportunities to mentor others. Shirley is, without a doubt, a servant leader focused on the people around her, full of positive approaches and new possibilities that she communicates regularly, making her an absolute example of a star DSP.
Media Coverage
The Journal
