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1. How long have you worked at Dungarvin; in the IDD industry?

I started my first job in this field on May 1, 2000, with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, serving the Marion/Dillon area. I remember the interview like it was yesterday. The Executive Director told me, “You don’t have any experience in this field.” I replied, “You’re right—I don’t. But I want to work in this field, I’m eager to learn, and if you give me a chance, you’ll never regret it.” That was the start of my journey.

My first role was as a CTH II Coordinator, where I supervised five group homes and two House Managers. About two and a half years later, I stepped in as an Interim Residential Administrator. After relocating to Charlotte, I transferred to Chester-Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs, where I worked as a Service Coordinator (similar to a Case Manager).

In March 2022, I joined Dungarvin as the Area Manager for Louisville. At that time, we served 21 participants. Three years later, I was promoted to Area Director for both the Louisville and Bowling Green regions.

2. Why do you have a passion for this work?

I’ve spent my whole life helping people in some capacity. With this field in particular, I didn’t know at first how much I would grow to love it. When I started, I had no prior experience with individuals with intellectual disabilities, so I had to learn everything: how to communicate with those who were nonverbal, how to de-escalate when participants became aggressive, and most importantly, how to truly understand their needs.

This field has captured my heart, and I’ve never looked back. Thinking about the people we serve makes me smile—it’s more than a job, it’s a calling.

3. What do you most value in a friend or a co-worker?

Authenticity and teamwork. I love working with genuine people who bring their whole selves to the table and are committed to a shared purpose. When we can collaborate with heart and honesty, great things happen. I thrive around real people—#synergy

4. What would you most like to see happen in your state to better serve people with disabilities?

I often ask people who work in this field: Would you want your loved one to live here? That’s where we have to start.

I want the individuals we support to thrive, not just survive. I want to see them travel, explore, and experience life beyond what many think is possible. They should be going to Vegas, taking cruises, getting passports—doing things that others might assume are out of reach.

We go to work, go on vacations, chase dreams—those we support want to live life to the fullest too. We must open our hearts and minds to what’s possible and help create those opportunities.

5. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?

I love Dungarvin and the incredible team I work with. They are genuinely good people. I can’t think of a better place to be!

Everyone on my team does this work not just with their minds—but with their hearts. It’s more than a job to them, and you can feel it in how they show up for our participants.

That level of commitment, care, and integrity is priceless. I’m proud to be a part of a team that truly gets it—and lives it. #TeamUS

Cindy Lowe is a shining example of the success that can come from Family Home Provider Services at Dungarvin. Cindy has been at Dungarvin Kentucky for several years and supports Beth and Sarah, assisting them to become healthier, happier and more involved in their communities. 

Cindy ensures that Beth and Sarah are integrated in their local community. She helps them to participate in dances, attend camps and classes at the YMCA and regular trips to the movies. They also vacation together! This winter, the trio had a wonderful time on a Christmas trip to the Great Wolf Lodge, which was full of swimming and dance parties each evening!

“Cindy always does what is best for Sarah and Beth,” shared Paula Pulley, Senior Director. “Beth has lived with Cindy for several years, a move which has shown to have had a major impact on Beth’s life, and Sarah moved in with Cindy a little less than a year ago and her life has improved drastically since.”

Beth was struggling with her health before meeting Cindy, and since moving in, Cindy has encouraged Beth to make healthy choices and has improved her overall physical activity through increased activities both ladies enjoy. 

“The care that Cindy has for Beth and Sarah is evident,” shared Paula. “You can hear the smile in her voice when she speaks about them and gives her team updates on their daily lives. Cindy Lowe is the perfect example of what a Family Home Provider should be, and I think she is a star here at Dungarvin Kentucky. A true success in the lives of her two clients.”

We are blown away by staff like Cindy. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for those you support!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     CONTACT

April 2, 2025                                                            Tony Baisley, Communications Manager, 612-386-8289

Recognition honors professionals exemplifying workforce that empowers community inclusion for people with intellectual, developmental disabilities (I/DD) 

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN –ANCOR, the leading voice in Washington for community-based disability services providers, has announced that Minnesota-based Dungarvin has seven recipients in this year’s DSP of the Year award. The Dungarvin winners join a total of 54 honorees in the 2025 edition of ANCOR’s annual Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards program. This year’s awards garnered over 500 nominations from across the nation, a record-breaking total. 

“Dungarvin is so proud of each of our winners,” said CEO Lori Kress, who is also the president of ANCOR’s Board of Directors this year. “We look forward to celebrating all of the dedicated DSPs for this important recognition representing their incredible professionalism and work ethic. More importantly, we recognize that their collective dedication enables true community inclusion for the people we support in Minnesota and across the country,” shared Kress. “The supports they provide are an example of the transformative power of community-based, person-centered services.” ANCOR recognized the following Dungarvin team members as state winners: 

Since 2007, ANCOR’s annual DSP of the Year awards recognize outstanding direct support professionals (DSPs) who deliver long-term services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The awards celebrate the important role DSPs play in ensuring people with I/DD have what they need to thrive and be included in the community.  

These awards also 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 the funds the vast majority of services delivered by the direct support workforce. 

“I began my career as a direct support professional, and so I have witnessed firsthand just how powerful a difference a qualified and committed DSP can make in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” stated Kress. “But DSPs of this caliber truly raise the bar on what it means to deliver world-class support.” 

Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer for ANCOR, added: “It is truly 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 I/DD. It’s the very reason ANCOR began the DSP of the Year Awards program nearly two decades ago, and it’s why we are very much looking forward to celebrating these outstanding professionals in San Diego next week.” 

Each of the Dungarvin winners and the other 2025 honorees will be recognized during an awards ceremony in San Diego, Calif., on Wednesday, April 9, from 7:30-9:30 am (PDT) during ANCOR Connect ’25, the association’s annual conference. Members of the press interested in attending the awards presentation should contact Sean Luechtefeld, ANCOR’s vice president for membership and communications, at sluechtefeld@ancor.org or 571.207.9108.

About ANCOR 

For more than 50 years, ANCOR has been a leading advocate for the critical role service providers play in enriching the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). As a national nonprofit trade association, ANCOR exists to advance the future of supports and services for people with I/DD.  

About Dungarvin 

Dungarvin is a family-owned organization that provides services and personalized community-based supports for children and adults with disabilities. The Dungarvin mission influences its approach to person-centered care: “Respecting and responding to the choices of people in need of supports.” Dungarvin believes each person has their own set of aspirations, goals, strengths, and dreams. Over the past 50 years, Dungarvin has grown to provide supports to over 10,000 individuals across 15 states. Dungarvin’s long and stable history demonstrates its unwavering commitment to quality, reliability, and integrity. If you would like to learn more about the organization, please visit www.dungarvin.com.