Posted on January 6, 2026
The community-based Senior DSP received a citation from Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
Betty poses at the award ceremony with her certificate.
In October, the Maryland Department of Health, along with partners from the Maryland Department of Disabilities and the Maryland Department of Labor hosted a celebration of everyday heroes who go above and beyond to support individuals with developmental disabilities.
Thirty-one “Outstanding Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)” were chosen from over 100 nominations, including Penn-Mar Senior DSP Betty Huggins-Martin. The honorees received individual citations from Governor Wes Moore to say ‘thank you’ for a job well done.
During the event, Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty recognized the transformational work of DSPs and thanked the honorees for providing outstanding support in the award category of community living.
“Direct Support Professionals support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with developing important life skills that allow for meaningful participation in all aspects of their community life,” Secretary Beatty said. “This can include finding and keeping jobs, enjoying recreational activities, and living safely in their homes and neighborhoods. Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of our community system of services.”
Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott called the day’s celebration “a small token of the recognition that DSPs deserve every day of the year.”
Betty remembers being completely surprised when she learned that her supervisor, Lauren Martinez, nominated her for the prestigious honor.
“Lauren is an all-around great supervisor,” she said. “She saw something in my work that she felt deserved public recognition. She always makes it her business to tell me when I’m doing a good job and is quick to show appreciation for the efforts of the DSPs on her team.”
Betty takes a selfie with a person she supports.
Only six months after Betty joined Penn-Mar in August 2022 as a community-based DSP out of Westminster, she was promoted to Senior DSP. Describing herself as a “team player,” she said her supervisor knows she is willing to do anything she suggests or asks.
“I know how busy my supervisor is and I want coworkers on my team and other teams to know that if they need something, I will do the best I can to help and accommodate them. I am very connected with staff, and many DSPs at Penn-Mar reach out to me for advice. I like being a ‘go-to’ person for problem-solving.”
The recent award recognizing her passion for helping people in need was “heartwarming” for Betty. She first provided emotional support and personal care for a neighbor when she was only 14 years old and “just kept going from there.”
Before joining Penn-Mar, Betty supported the elderly and those with Alzheimer’s. Seeing them smile when they succeeded in doing something they usually struggled with made all her efforts worthwhile.
“I get the same feeling today,” she said, “helping the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at Penn-Mar live their best lives.”
Her recent award and the continuing training that Betty has pursued while at Penn-Mar have boosted her confidence and capabilities. She successfully completed a 12-month Professional Development training class, and in February she will obtain her DSP-III Certification, graduating from the Career Ladders E-Badge Academy program.
A natural “go-getter,” Betty pursues additional opportunities to enhance her skills and help her continue to be an outstanding DSP, be it side-by-side training with her supervisor or tuning in to relevant webinars.
And whether it’s helping the people she supports become more independent or devising innovative tools to help them communicate their person-centered wishes, Betty loves that no two days on the job are alike, with every day offering different experiences and breakthroughs.
“I love the direct support work I do in the community,” she said. “Looking ahead, my goal is to be a support team manager.”
That dream, and many more award opportunities, will undoubtedly be in Betty’s future!