DSP of the Month: Osman Conteh
Congratulations to Osman Conteh April’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Month!
Before becoming a DSP, Osman worked with machines and on computers. Now Osman has worked as a DSP for over 13 years and said deciding to become a DSP was like a Devine Intervention.
“I believe I was destined to make a difference in the lives of the individuals I serve,” Osman said. “I never had any fore knowledge of what this career field was about, but God works in mysterious ways. I have been working for ResCare for over 13 years. What I love the most about working for ResCare is that they make me feel empowered and puts me in a position to be successful in every aspect of my job. They provide me with every resource to do my work efficiently, in other words, ResCare cares about the well-being of the individuals they support in every respect. The staffing has been phenomenal, it’s a family networking and I am blessed to be a part of it.”
Osman was first attracted to the DSP career field when he realized his friend’s wife was working for ResCare.
“Every day she left for work, she has the most positive attitude, and I said to her one day, ‘this must be a very interesting job you are doing,” Osman said. “You don’t see jobs that make you happy like that often, regardless of what the pay is. She said to me, ‘Osman, you will love this job, you are very good with people, you should come and check the place out and see if you can put in an application.’ The next day, out of curiosity, I went to check the place out and immediately when I entered the building and saw the individuals, it was a defining moment for me. I started thinking to myself instantly, how can I help to make a difference in these individuals’ lives. I had never seen a site like this before in my entire life. When I left the building that day, my thoughts and perceptions were completely different about life. It was like me looking in the mirror and asking myself, what if it was me? What kind of help would I want someone to help me with? Then I figured out that I should not be looking for the answer, I should be providing it.”
Angela Knodel has been Osman’s supervisor at ResCare for the last 8 years and said Osman is present and leads with integrity providing support to not only individuals but families, staff, friends, and peers.
“Osman loves his job as ResCare’s Residential Manager and states that it is more than job and he is blessed to serve and support the individuals each and every day,” Angela said. “Osman genuinely cares for everything he does; he puts 100% effort into all tasks. Osman is an active participant in all individuals support plan meetings and assists the team with creating outcomes that are focused on the individuals likes, hopes, and dreams. Osman provides honest feedback to establish the support listed in the ISP is accurate, true, and realistic. Every day is a day for Osman to assist the people he supports in working on achieving their outcomes. He is their biggest fan and supporter. Osman exhibits patience and empowerment and promotes independence when working with everyone from the smallest of tasks, such as assisting with eating to the largest of tasks, such as dealing with challenging behaviors and going to large community events. Osman knows the person-centered plans for everyone and leads others in following the supports specific to each individual. Osman makes a strong effort to establish good relationships with everyone he meets. Osman communicates with all individuals, family members, guardians, staff, and peers in a positive manner and always has a smile on his face. Osman is welcoming to all and is a favorite among the people he supports, the staff he leads, the peers he assists, and the many people he encounters daily. Osman loves to cook for others, garden with his individuals, and host many events to bring people together. Every resident in the home is very excited to see Osman every time he walks through the door.”
According to Angela, Osman has set and maintained high expectations for the home he manages so that anyone that enters the home feels supported and empowered.
“Osman not only cooks for anyone who enters the home, but he ensures the home is spotless and inviting,” Angela said. “He ensures all bedrooms are personalized; everyone has great hygiene and looks their best. Osman has personalized the home to reflect the love of each person who lives there. The individuals in the home love football especially the Cincinnati Bengals! Osman and the individuals are proud of their home showing off their Cincinnati decor! Osman built several raised gardens for the home and the individuals maintain the garden from planting, watering, harvesting, and cooking the fruits and vegetables they grow. Osman’s home supports individuals with high medical needs including two individuals with trachs however, Osman ensures the guys visit the community as much as possible to all of their favorite places such as Entertainment Junction, the Reds games, carnivals, dances, parties, and of course, shopping, and restaurants.”
According to Angela, Osman has received many letters of affirmation thanking him for many things such as, his leadership style, cooking skills, taking excellent care of people, providing positive communication with everyone, and making transitions go smoothly for new individuals.
“Osman has so many examples that could be shared to show how much he makes the lives not only more meaningful but the best day every day,” Angela said. “Osman supports an individual who had a g-tube for several years. The individual stated that he missed eating food, and it had been many years since he was able to have food by mouth. Osman requested a swallow study during medical rounds to advocate this desire and Osman took the individual to the swallow study and patiently fed him and discussed the importance of this to all medical professionals. They received the news immediately that the individual had passed the swallow study and would be cleared to eat a pureed diet with thickened liquids! The individual no longer has a g-tube and eats all meals by mouth, which to some seems very small but to this individual it was everything. The individual loves assisting Osman with cooking and is so appreciative of Osman ensuring his dream of eating again came true. Osman supports 8 men with high medical needs, and each person has a positive story in the home with Osman!”
As of recent, Osman was selected as a finalist for the ANCOR National DSP of the Year Award. The annual awards program aims to recognize outstanding individuals who deliver long-term services and supports to people with I/DD. Throughout the year, ANCOR highlights the award recipients’ compelling stories to demonstrate the valuable role DSPs play in ensuring people with I/DD have access to the countless benefits of community life. Osman was among 54 recipients that were celebrated during a ceremony in San Diego, California, on Wednesday, April 9.
Osman said he couldn’t be more honored to be a recipient of a national DSP of the Year award because being a DSP is nothing but a blessing!
“I thank the Lord Almighty for favoring me to be a blessing in the lives of the individuals I serve,” Osman said. “This award is important to me because it shows clearly to me that, I don’t do what I do to show to people what I do, but I do it because it is the right thing to do for others who are looking forward to being loved. We take a lot of things for granted and have no idea how we have been graciously favored by God. One of the favorite parts of my job is interacting with the individuals. Some of them are non-verbal, but when you interact with them, you bring out the most precious smiles and laughter that you cannot imagine. It keeps them healthy, and they build trust in you which in turn puts me in a better position to communicate and connect with them. Others should really get into this career field so that they can discover how blessed they are, get to understand how they have been taking a lot of things for granted, and how they can make a difference in someone’s life that will live with them for the rest of their lives.”
Osman said he could share memories for hours about the individuals he serves but ultimately working with these individuals have made an everlasting and permanent dent in his life and he will forever be grateful for that.
We hope you have an amazing time at the ANCOR DSP of the Year awards, Osman! Congratulations!
Continue reading below to see 3 of Osman’s nomination letters for the ANCOR DSP of the Year award!
“I would like to congratulate Osman for his nomination. Matthew has experienced a lot of change the last few years moving to several different locations, ending at the H3 home. Osman welcomed Matt with open arms. Osman has created this beautiful home for these men, all decked out in the Bengals theme. There are pictures of the men hanging up and it has a family atmosphere. Osman encourages the men to participate in helping with the garden, picking vegetables, and then making delicious meals. He takes the time to find their interests and builds on that. Every time I go to the home, Osman is there with a smile. The men are always clean, shaved, and their hair looks nice. Osman is a jack of all trades from chef to barber, but his caring personality and the love he has for the men he serves is beyond words. This also reflects through his staff, as they also seem happy with their jobs. From every ounce of my being Osman, THANK YOU for everything you do for Matthew. You are a fantastic manager with a lot of pride in what you do.”- Lisa Fairchild, Matthew’s Mom
“I want to say how thankful I am for Osman and all that he’s done for my little brother, Peyton. Osman’s dedication to the residents, including Peyton, means so much to my family and me. At first, we were hesitant about placing Peyton in a group home, unsure if it was the right decision, especially since Peyton is nonverbal and can’t tell us directly how he feels. But Osman has made us feel confident that it was the best choice we could have made! He goes above and beyond to make sure Peyton is comfortable, happy, and well taken care of, and for that, we are so, so grateful. Not to mention the impressive veggie garden he’s got growing in the backyard!” – Keith Ransom
“Osman was my first manager ever at the current company we are at, and I am very grateful for that. Osman was the first person in my life to ever give me guidance that was genuine and with the goal of bettering me as a person. He has taught me how to properly cook, clean and even do laundry, which are life skills I will value and carry with me forever. I recently started as a residential manager, and without the knowledge I have gained in my 4 years of working for him, this would have never been possible. He is the most caring person I have ever met. Not only for his individuals, but for his home staff and coworkers as well. I believe Osman is the best person.” – Reva Johnson
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 Monday, May 5.