Homer’s Brian Ormond has been named a 2025 Direct Support Professional of the Year, honoring his work as a Direct Services Provider at South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services. As a direct services provider, Ormond works directly with clients experiencing intellectual or developmental delays and assists them with reaching individualized goals, like becoming more social in public settings or gaining greater autonomy over daily tasks.
The award comes from the organization ANCOR, which is described in an April 14 press release from SPBHS as “the leading voice in Washington for community-based disability services providers.” Ormond is the only Alaskan to be honored among 53 other awardees, selected from more than 500 nominations across the nation. ANCOR described this year’s nomination list as “a record-breaking total.”
Development Director Ashley Moore of SPBHS said the local organization is very proud of Ormond and his dedicated work serving community members.
“We are thrilled to celebrate his award, which represents his incredible work,” Moore said. “More importantly, we recognize that his dedication enables true community inclusion for the people we support. His supports are an example of the transformative power of community-based, person-centered supports and services.”
According to the April 14 release, the awards — which have been given annually since 2007 — seek to “raise awareness about a direct support workforce in crisis. Inadequate investments in this essential workforce have led to a decades-long severe shortage of DSPs, which risks being exacerbated significantly as Congress weighs substantial cuts to Medicaid, the program funds most services delivered by the direct support workforce.”
Lori Kress, president of ANCOR’s board of directors, said she began her career as a direct support professional and has witnessed firsthand just how powerful a difference a qualified and committed DSP can make in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“DSPs of Brian’s caliber truly raise the bar on what it means to deliver world-class support,” said Kress.
Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer for ANCOR, said it’s “a pleasure” to hear stories day in and day out about the magic that DSPs make possible as “they deliver services that are nothing short of transformative” for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
“It’s the very reason ANCOR began the DSP of the Year Awards program nearly two decades ago,” said Merrill. “And it’s why we very much look forward to celebrating outstanding professionals like Brian.”
Ormond and the other 2025 honorees were recognized during an awards ceremony in San Diego on Wednesday, April 9, during the association’s annual conference, ANCOR Connect.
