Category: Advocacy Corner

Celebrating Direct Support Professionals: The Unsung Heroes of Independence

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

Behind every small victory at Las Trampas, there’s a story of dedication, compassion, and unwavering support. It’s a story rarely told—but this week, we’re changing that.

The heroes of these stories? Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)—the everyday champions who empower individuals with developmental and physical disabilities to live with independence and dignity. They’re not in it for the praise. They’re in it for the people. And they deserve more than just a moment of thanks; they deserve lasting recognition.

Why DSP Recognition Week Matters

DSP Recognition Week isn’t just a pat on the back. It’s a loud and clear reminder that these professionals are not just caregivers—they’re life-changers.

At Las Trampas, DSPs assist individuals with everything from daily living skills to personal advocacy. They build meaningful relationships and help create pathways to freedom, growth, and self-expression. Whether it’s helping someone take their first walk to a local café or supporting a choice that empowers autonomy, DSPs are there—every step of the way.

The Unseen Impact of DSPs at Las Trampas

Here’s a peek into the magic that happens at Las Trampas every day:

  • A participant learns to speak up for their preferences—finally using their voice.
  • Someone who once relied on constant supervision now shops independently.
  • Confidence blooms, bit by bit, because someone believes in them.

None of these milestones happen by accident. They happen because a DSP showed up—again and again, with heart, patience, and skill.

But while their impact is enormous, their visibility is not. Across the U.S., DSPs remain underpaid, under-supported, and under-recognized. That’s not just unfair. It’s unsustainable.

Support Work Is Real Work

This week is about more than appreciation. It’s about calling it what it is:
Support work is real work.

And it’s time we start treating it that way. That means:

  • Fair pay for skilled labor
  • Access to training and development
  • Ongoing recognition for the emotional and physical labor involved
  • Stability and benefits that reflect the essential nature of their role

At Las Trampas, these aren’t just wishes; they’re commitments. The organization actively invests in its DSPs by offering professional growth opportunities and celebrating their impact not just one week a year, but every single day.

Why Recognition Alone Isn’t Enough

Here’s the truth:
Gratitude feels good, but it doesn’t pay the bills.

The systemic issues facing DSPs can’t be solved with celebration alone. What they need—and deserve—is a commitment to advocacy and change.

That includes:

  • State and federal policy reform
  • Increased funding for disability support services
  • Community awareness and education
  • Advocacy from families and allies

Because when DSPs thrive, everyone benefits, especially those who rely on them for a full, independent life.

Amplifying the Voices That Matter

To make meaningful change, we have to listen. We have to lift up the voices of DSPs and the people they support. That’s why Las Trampas encourages DSPs to share their stories, challenges, and ideas.

When we hear directly from those on the front lines of care, we build better systems, stronger communities, and a future where support work is seen, valued, and sustained.

So… What Can You Do?

Whether you’re a policymaker, family member, employer, or just someone who believes in equity, there’s a role for you to play in honoring DSPs. Here’s how you can help:

  • Speak up: Advocate for fair wages and better funding
  • Share their stories: Help raise awareness in your networks
  • Thank a DSP: A personal message of gratitude goes a long way
  • Support organizations like Las Trampas: Your donations make a direct impact
  • Vote with intention: Support policies that uplift caregivers and people with disabilities

More Than a Week: A Call for Long-Term Change

This isn’t just about a moment of recognition; it’s about setting a new standard.

A future where Direct Support Professionals are no longer invisible.
A future where support work is treated like the skilled, essential labor it truly is.
A future where people with disabilities get the care they need from professionals who are valued, supported, and heard.

At Las Trampas, that future is already taking shape. But we need more voices, more allies, and more action to keep it growing.

Let’s Make Sure Their Work is Never Invisible Again

Join us in celebrating and uplifting the Direct Support Professionals who make independence a reality for so many. This DSP Recognition Week, let’s move from gratitude to action—and from action to lasting change.

How Everyday Actions Build a Legacy of Empowerment and Inclusion

Posted on by Shannon Cherry

What if your greatest legacy wasn’t in the accolades you earn, but in the lives you touch?

August is What Will Your Legacy Be Month.

Legacy. It’s a big word. It feels heavy, almost too grand to define. But when you peel back the layers, it’s really just about this: the impact you leave behind. And surprisingly, it’s not always in the grand gestures or lifetime achievements. Sometimes, legacy lives in the smallest acts—a kind word, an outstretched hand, or the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table.

The Truth About Legacy: It’s Not What You Think

When people hear “legacy,” they often picture names on buildings, big donations, or fame that outlasts a lifetime. But real legacy is more than that. It’s more personal. More human.

It’s:

  • Helping someone find their voice when the world isn’t listening.
  • Creating space for others to grow, thrive, and lead.
  • Choosing inclusion over indifference, every single time.

Legacy isn’t reserved for the wealthy or the well-known. It belongs to all of us.

Las Trampas: A Living Legacy For 67 Years (and counting)

What began as a modest school has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of support services, friendship, and independence.

Let’s rewind to 1958. A group of parents, determined to give their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities a better life, came together and started something powerful. That spark became Las Trampas, an organization that’s been empowering individuals and building community ever since.

And here’s the real magic: everything at Las Trampas is built around empowerment. It’s not about what someone can’t do. It’s about discovering what they can do—with the right support, encouragement, and opportunities.

Empowerment Over Pity: Shifting the Narrative

Let’s be real: society hasn’t always been great at embracing people with disabilities. Too often, their identities are shaped by limitations, rather than potential.

But Las Trampas flips that script.

Here, inclusion isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the blueprint. Staff and volunteers don’t just serve, they listen, learn, and walk alongside. Every goal set, every step taken, every success celebrated is a thread in the fabric of a growing legacy.

And isn’t that what legacy should be about?

What Can You Do to Leave a Legacy?

You don’t need to start an organization or write a check with lots of zeros (though hey, if you can, go for it!). Building a legacy begins with what you choose to value, day in and day out.

Here are a few ways to start:

1. Share Your Time

Volunteering is one of the most impactful gifts you can give. Whether it’s spending a few hours a week with someone who needs support or lending your talents to help run a program, time invested is legacy built.

2. Tell Your Story

Never underestimate the power of your voice. Sharing your experience—especially about inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment—can inspire others to take action too.

3. Support Causes That Align With Your Values

A small monthly donation can help Las Trampas and similar organizations continue their work. Your contribution becomes part of a much bigger story.

💡 Fun Fact: Studies show that philanthropy not only benefits communities, it also increases happiness and well-being for the giver. Talk about a win-win!

4. Advocate for Inclusion

Speak up when someone’s being left out. Challenge stereotypes. Celebrate diversity out loud. These micro-actions, multiplied across communities, create massive shifts.

The Ripple Effect: Legacy in Motion

Think of legacy like a pebble tossed into a pond. The initial splash may be small, but the ripples? They go on and on.

When one person is empowered, they pass it on. A confident voice inspires others to speak. A welcoming hand builds a stronger community. Before you know it, your one small action has turned into generational change.

And that’s what Las Trampas has been doing for decades. Their legacy lives in every skill learned, every goal achieved, and every moment of independence their participants experience.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

In today’s world, where division and exclusion often grab headlines, the work of organizations like Las Trampas becomes even more critical. They remind us that real strength is in our humanity, and real legacy is in lifting others up.

We all crave purpose. We all want to know we made a difference. And the truth is—you already can.

So… What Will Your Legacy Be?

Here’s the thing: you’re building your legacy right now. With every decision, every act of kindness, and every moment of courage, you’re writing your story.

So ask yourself:

  • Are you empowering others?
  • Are you building bridges?
  • Are you choosing inclusion, even when it’s hard?

And most importantly, are you willing to be part of something bigger than yourself?

Because Las Trampas is here, doing the work. You can be part of it, through your time, your voice, your support, or simply by believing that everyone deserves a chance to shine.

Let’s Build a Brighter Future—Together

At the end of the day, legacy isn’t about what we leave behind; it’s about what we start now. And at Las Trampas, every moment is a new chance to empower, include, and inspire.

Because legacy isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. And it starts with you.

Ready to make your mark?

From the Executive Director–A Year in Advocacy

Posted on by Las Trampas

My name is Daniel Hogue, Executive Director of Las Trampas. I have worked in the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) service industry since 1993, starting as a direct care worker. Now, in my role as a leader, I am constantly asked about the state and future of our field.  Now, more than ever, this is an important topic that should be addressed. It’s my hope to address concerns, successes, and opportunities for action that will help people with developmental disabilities and the I/DD community.

In the human services field, we as care takers, social workers, and people who work from the heart tend to speak lightly, politely, and focus on the work to be done. Leaders in the I/DD service industry understand that there are many competing interests within the state. We are not used to taking a hard stands. This has to change. While it sounds alarming, the viability of the I/DD service system is on the brink of collapse and it’s time for us to find our voice.

Yet another year has gone by without increases to I/DD funding. The state budget approved by the legislature and the governor at the end of June again neglects to fully fund programs and services for this vulnerable population. So, what are the impacts! Well, to put it frankly, if you have a child or family member with I/DD who receives services, they may be at risk.

Since 2003, state funding for I/DD services has essentially been a downhill spiral with minimal increases offsetting serious cuts during the 2008 financial crisis. So what does this mean.  It means that providers, and more importantly the people served, have to make do with extremely limited resources, and often times, to simply do without. Full-time professional positions like speech language pathologists, a full program staff with clinical training and experience, budgets for transportation and community integration, and more, all of these program components have been cut or seriously reduced over the past decade. Meanwhile, mandates continue to come down from the state level to do more do more, with less, all while the state holds record surpluses.

Each month, I will be discussing the ramifications of the current state including the impacts on providers and the people served as well as how the system is coping, advocacy efforts, progress and setbacks, stories of success in the midst of tough times, and things that you can do to support people with developmental disabilities. I hope you’ll join me!