GREENFIELD, NH — In a special ceremony recently held at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, Jack Jarvis, of the US Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, congratulated JAN BEVACQUA and JON DASH for becoming the first two individuals in New Hampshire to complete the national apprenticeship program for direct support professionals.

"Direct Support Professionals" play a vital role in enhancing the daily life of individuals with disabilities by serving as: connections to community resources; personal care assistants; and providers of residential, employment, leisure/recreation, and social/interpersonal/behavioral supports. During a typical day, these staff will assist those who need help with activities such as getting dressed, personal grooming, preparing meals and supporting them in the work place. Beyond these tasks, direct support professionals model and teach appropriate social behaviors, and build communication skills and support in personal relationships.

According to director of residential services Jon Eriquezzo, Crotched Mountain employs more than 200 direct support professionals who work either at the rehabilitation center in Greenfield, NH or in local communities throughout the state. "Within the human services field, there is a general consensus that direct support workers do not always receive proper training," Eriquezzo explains. He identifies this problem as a contributing factor that has led to a high turnover rate nationwide. "Crotched Mountain," remarks Jarvis, "is taking the lead here in New Hampshire to address this ongoing concern by investing considerable time and effort to establish a registered apprenticeship program for direct support professionals. Jan and Jon can be proud of their accomplishments and dedication to the profession. Everyone benefits from this program – especially the clients who are receiving services from organizations and individuals who are committed to quality training and education."

The apprenticeship program for direct support professionals is comprised of 144 classroom hours of instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training experience. Upon successful completion of the program, Crotched Mountain rewards its employees with an increase in salary. The criteria to earn certification is based upon national skills standards that were set forth by the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) in Cambridge, MA. There are currently more than 29,000 apprenticeship programs across the nation for more than 800 occupations. Further information is available through the New Hampshire Department of Labor website: http://labor.state.nh.us/apprenticeships.asp.

JAN BEVACQUA, of Antrim, NH serves as manager of "Hawthorn Heights," one of fifteen residences for students attending Crotched Mountain School. She joined the organization in 1994 and has dealt extensively with the process of transitioning students from residential care to community settings. JON DASH, is a residential counselor at "Dogwood Manor," another of the residences, who also lives in Antrim. He has been employed by Crotched Mountain since 2002 and serves as an apprenticeship supervisor as well as a mentor for newly hired employees. He is a 2001 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College where he earned a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies. This June, Bevacqua and Dash will be traveling to Atlantic City, NJ to give a presentation at the Eastern Seaboard Apprenticeship Conference about their experiences.

At present, two more Crotched Mountain employees are working to complete the requirements for the apprenticeship program. "Our goal is to enroll up to 20 direct support professionals each year," states Eriquezzo. The apprenticeship program will greatly improve the quality of life for our residents by providing a career ladder and well-deserved recognition for our direct support professionals. In time, these heroes will no longer be unsung."

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing more than 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.

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