DSP of the Month: Charlene Crank

Congratulations to Charlene Crank, April’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Month!

Dating back to kindergarten, Charlene says she always felt as though she had a connection with those who had disabilities. Once Charlene made her way into the workforce, she started her own business and employed a man with developmental disabilities. This is when she says she knew that working with those with disabilities was her true calling.

Charlene began working with the DD community as a sub in the Hamilton City School District. After Charlene’s mother passed away, who she had been taking of, Charlene took an interview for a position at Fairfield Home Health Agency.

“I interviewed with Lisa Spicer who was working at Fairfield Home Health Agency at the time,” Charlene said. “Once Lisa decided to take a position at Blessed Homecare, I wanted to go with her and my clients wanted to stay with me as well. I took an interview with Lisa at Blessed Homecare, and became a part of the team! Lisa knew I would love the job and I trusted her to show me the ropes!”

Lisa Spicer, Director of Operations at Blessed Homecare, says that she felt so lucky when Charlene responded to the Blessed Homecare ad, noting that she is a wonderful addition to the team.

“Charlene said she had never done this type of work before and she said she wished she would have known about the role of DSP years ago,” Lisa said. “She is a Downright Spectacular Person (DSP) that has worked with several individuals at Blessed Homecare for a couple of years now. Charlene is constantly looking for ways to improve daily living and exciting community outings to make everyone feel included and recognize the importance they have in this world.”

“Charlene has a huge heart, and all the individuals enjoy their time with her and name her as someone that is important to them within their ISPs (individual support plans). She is quick to offer assistance if help is needed with anything at any time. She has opened her home for respite care to help one of our families and just goes above and beyond always.

“She has taught individuals how to bake, cook, and even knit! I would love to see her receive public recognition as we all appreciate her so much!”

“Charlene will say that she doesn’t do anything special, because she doesn’t realize that she IS special. She is a blessing to all of us!”

According to Charlene’s co-workers at Blessed Homecare, she takes the relationships with the individuals she serves very seriously and strives to go above and beyond to help them achieve their goals.

“Once we had an individual that was going to be new to the agency and just decided to walk to the store,” Lisa said. “On the way home, her bags were busting, and groceries were falling. She called me, but I was in Clermont County. I called Charlene, who had never met this individual, but when I told her what was happening, she rushed right to where this young lady was and helped her to gather up her groceries and gave her a ride home. She told me not to worry about paying her anything. This was just the ‘right’ thing to do.” 

Currently, Charlene has five people she supports regularly in Butler County and Lisa says she has had an outstanding impact on each person.

“One of Charlene’s individuals, Tiffany, wanted to learn how to knit,” Lisa said. “With great patience, Charlene taught her how. She will face-time Charlene whenever she wants, and Charlene takes the time to listen and help her with whatever she is going through. She has taught her how to make various meals and they are currently working on laundry. Charlene advocates for Tiffany so that she can learn life skills. They do amazing crafts and always have fun doing a wide variety of things. Tiffany communicates more than she ever has, where she would rarely try to have a conversation in the past.”

Charlene says one of her favorite memories working with Blessed Homecare thus far is all the progress she has seen Tiffany make.

“Tiffany was so quiet and had no confidence and eventually started to open up to me,” Charlene said. “One day while we were making pizza and cookies at my house she said, ‘Charlene, I want you in my life forever.’ I just melted when she said that. Tiffany confides her hopes and dreams with me. I taught her how to crochet and she took off.  She has made Christmas presents, a cover and pillow for her bed, a rug, and we made matching shirts for a Valentine’s Day dance. I mean she has evolved so much because she feels like she has something to offer.”

Lisa said one of the most outstanding things she had ever seen a DSP do was when Charlene opened her home to a young man named Brett for a respite.

“The family had out of town plans and could not find an opening at camp and Charlene didn’t hesitate to offer her home,” Lisa said. “She has taken Brett to many sporting events, bluegrass festivals, and even bought one of his paintings from the Inspiration Studios.”

“Brett is my respite visitor,” Charlene said. “He lives with his brother and his family. Sometimes they need to go out of town for events and Brett comes here. He has his own bedroom and bathroom. He even gets up and starts the coffee in the morning! He feels right at home here. He really likes my husband. You will see a great picture of him along with my husband, grandson, and son-in-law when we went to the Miami Redhawks game. We all think the world of him. He painted me a beautiful picture. I have it in my foyer.  I also have purchased some of his stained glass from Inspiration Studios. He is very talented!” 

Charlene says being a DSP has made her life happier; she now feels more fulfilled than ever!

“Being a DSP change lives,” Charlene said. “And without you even realizing it, you find out that everyone has some sort of difficulty including yourself. You are rewarded by making what may have been impossible become possible for these wonderful people. Everyone needs to support and realize organizations like Butler County DD make lives matter. Our people need to be seen and heard and I am happy to tag along for the ride.”

Do you know an amazing DSP who deserves to be recognized for everything they do? Nominate them below! Nominations for May’s DSP of the Month are due by Friday, May 3.