On July 13, 2009, and on behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Chairman Sharon Bulova signed a proclamation designating September 2009 as Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Month. At a ceremony on September 9th, Fairfax Supervisor Jeff McKay presented a plaque honoring PRS’ direct support professionals (DSPs) which include Community Support Specialists, Rehabilitation Services Coordinators and Employment Specialists. The ceremony was held at the Bath Street House, a residence for women in recovery from serious mental illness. Bath Street House is a collaborative project, with Robert Pierre Johnson (RPJ) overseeing property management and PRS, Inc. providing mental health support services for residents.
PRS Community Support Specialists help clients improve their independent-living and interpersonal skills, and provide support services to help residents effectively manage their mental illnesses. PRS Rehabilitation Services Coordinators work with clients in the early stages of recovery to help them identify personal goals, recognize individual strengths, needs and potential, and develop skills needed to improve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS Employment Specialists work with clients ready to seek employment to help them ‘choose, get and keep’ community-based jobs. All services provided by PRS’ direct support professionals are designed to promote recovery and to assist persons served in achieving successful community integration.
