Posted on April 17, 2026
– DSP Amanda DeStefani Wins ANCOR’s 2026 Award for Person-Centered Supports –
April 17, 2025
Baltimore – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is proud to share that the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) has named Penn-Mar Direct Support Professional (DSP) Amanda DeStefani a winner of the 2026 ANCOR Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards, in the special category of “Person-Centered Supports”.
By prioritizing person-centered support, Amanda has empowered individuals to move beyond the sidelines and create new bonds with the community. As a quiet yet powerful leader, Amanda models best practices for her colleagues, mentoring new team members while advocating for the DSP workforce at the state level. For instance, when a staff member connected with an individual who rarely left the building, Amanda encouraged that staff to take the lead. With support, the individual began going out into the community every week, a breakthrough Amanda facilitated by stepping back and recognizing another’s strengths. This ability to lift others up is a testament to her leadership style.
Her innovative spirit also reflects Penn-Mar’s commitment to growth and improvement. Within her day program group, she consistently introduces meaningful, skill-building experiences, from mock job interviews to community caroling, helping ensure each person she supports builds confidence and independence.
“Amanda represents the very best of what it means to be a Direct Support Professional,” said Greg Miller, President and CEO of Penn-Mar Human Services. “Her ability to listen deeply and turn a person’s interests, whether it’s a love for literature or a simple request for an ice cream social, into a path for growth and self-advocacy is remarkable. She doesn’t just provide support, she creates a platform for people to lead their own lives with confidence and dignity.”
Beyond creative projects, Amanda emphasizes inclusion, ensuring no one feels left out, which is why she also leads Penn-Mar’s self-advocacy group, where she encourages the people in the IDD community to identify issues important to them. For example, on Developmental Disabilities Day, she helped participants prepare talking points for lawmakers, motivating them to share their views. For those hesitant to speak, Amanda respectfully advocated on their behalf, ensuring their concerns were represented.
Her recognition by ANCOR serves as a testament to her dedication to the DSP profession and her unwavering commitment to the Penn-Mar mission to help others Live Courageously.
For more information, please contact Roger Mecca at roger@vitaminisgood.com.
About Penn-Mar Human Services
Penn-Mar Human Services is a nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Live Courageously, whether that’s securing a job, being an active member of their community, building independence, or developing new relationships. Penn-Mar accomplishes this by supporting people on their own unique personal journeys. Founded in 1981, Penn-Mar operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. They support 400 adults with disabilities daily through an array of customizable services. www.penn-mar.org.
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