The New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) hosted its sixth annual Heroes Recognition Awards on Sept. 19.
Each year, this event honors Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) from across the state who are making a positive impact on the lives of their clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There were 32 individuals recognized in 2025.
“I am humbled and incredibly honored to recognize the true heroes of our field – our Direct Support Professionals,” said Libby Vinson, CEO of NJACP. “DSPs are the foundation of the community-based system of care in the IDD community – consistently demonstrating compassionate care, dedication and fostering independence to all those entrusted to their care.”
Each year, NJACP coordinates with its 75-plus agency members to compile nominations for DSPs in New Jersey who have gone above and beyond their roles and responsibilities to deliver the highest quality of diligent care.
The 2025 Heroes Recognition Awards were made possible through the support of advertisers and these businesses and organizations: Beacon Specialized Living New Jersey, Inc., Quality Management Associates, Inc. (QMA), Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD), Eden Autism Services, Elwyn New Jersey, Everas Community Services, Oaks Integrated Care, SERV Achievement Centers, Dreams in Motion II, Kelsch Associates New Jersey and The P.I.L.O.T. Services.
For more than 25 years, the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) has been assisting their member agencies as they provide quality support and services for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD), such as autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, communications impairments, vision and/or hearing impairments, medical conditions, physical disabilities and more. NJACP advocates for high standards and professionalism in the human services sector, particularly among community providers.
