OLDS — Town council has declared Wednesday, Sept. 28 to be Disability and Family Support Worker Appreciation Day in Olds.
This is the second consecutive year that town council has made the proclamation.
It came at the request of five organizations that provide support to families and individuals regarding disabilities, community and social inclusion, and building healthy families in Olds and area.
According to a request for decision (RFD) in council’s Aug. 22 agenda package, those five organizations are Accredited Supports to the Community, Fisher Farm Residential Association, Olds Association for Community Living, Padnoma Support Services, and Regional Living Skills.
Collectively, each year, they serve about 180 adults with disabilities and more than 400 families.
The services rendered are mostly funded through government contracts or grants, although some organizations offer some help on a private pay-for-service basis.
“The approximately 250 employees of these organizations live in and around the community of Olds, (are) active in our community and supporting the local economy,” the RFD said.
“Disability and Family Support Workers contribute a necessary service in our community. They are trained to assist people in all aspects of their lives,” it added.
“These support workers are essential to the well-being of those they support.
“Support Worker Appreciation Day is an opportunity to recognize all the people who provide care and assist with the success of these service provider groups.
“lt will also allow us to say thank you and to recognize the important role they all serve in our community.”
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions placed even greater pressure on the support sector, Olds and Area Service Provider Group joined together in 2020 to create a Disability and Family Support Workers Appreciation Day within their organizations.
There was not much funding, so it was pretty low key. Employees were presented with homemade cards of appreciation and soup or side dishes.
Group leaders vowed to do more.
So in 2021, they asked town council to declare the last Wednesday of September as Disability and Family Support Worker Appreciation Day in Olds.
Dana Wild, executive director of Accredited Supports to the Community, addressed council in support of the proclamation.
“This type of support is essential to the lives of the people that we support, many of whom, without it, would face institutional living, social stigma, isolation, unaddressed physical, emotional and medical needs and family breakdowns,” she said.
“When these diverse needs are met, it also serves to lessen the person’s dependency on involvement with other systems, such as justice, health, home care or child intervention.”
Unfortunately, she said, Olds and area residents know very little about the work that these employees do and the impact it has.
“Front-line disability and family support workers do not wear a uniform. They do not drive a marked vehicle or work in a specific building,” Wild said.
“They are trained to blend in and provide support as required, such as attending medical appointments, buying groceries, helping people to volunteer, work and socialize in the community, provide education and support for parents and families and ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children to learn and grow.”
Mayor Judy Dahl agreed that not enough is known about the valuable service these employees provide in the community “so this is very, very important, in my opinion.”
She said she plans to share the information provided with others.
A motion making the proclamation was carried easily.
