Pony Bird employee Adrian Brogan recently was named the 2024 Direct Support Professional of the Year by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) organization.

Pony Bird serves people with developmental disabilities in Jefferson County and surrounding St. Louis area, offering community living, community services, employment and family support programs. PonyBird also trains Special Olympics athletes.

The Direct Support Professional of the Year award honors outstanding professionals who provide long-term services and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and make sure they have what they need to thrive and be included in the community.

Brogan and 54 other honorees were chosen out of 492 nominees for this year’s award. One honoree was chosen from each state, and then five additional honorees were selected for special awards. Brogan, a direct support professional at Pony Bird, received one of the five special awards, in the category of relationships.

Sara Sucharski, Pony Bird’s president and chief executive officer, said she and other members of the organization are proud of Brogan.

“We are thrilled to celebrate her award, of course, but more importantly, we recognize that her dedication is powering true community inclusion for the people we support,” she said. “We cannot think of anyone who more clearly demonstrates the transformative power of community-based supports, and we’re so grateful that ANCOR has recognized Adrian with this national honor.”

The awards ceremony was held April 10 in Santa Fe, N.M., during ANCOR Connect ‘24, the association’s annual conference, which was attended by more than 1,200 people.

Unfortunately, Sucharski said, Brogan was unable to attend the event in person, but Pony Bird accepted the award on her behalf.

Brogan, 58, of Hillsboro has worked at Pony Bird for seven years. She was honored at Pony Bird’s May 20 board meeting, when state Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway persented her with a proclamation and Brogan received the ANCOR award.

Sucharski said direct support professionals typically help people who have significant and intellectual disabilities with their day-to-day care, adding that what makes Brogan stand out is her willingness to go above and beyond for those in her care.

“I think what’s really special about Adrian is she takes it a step further to truly try to ensure the individual has a very thriving life and tries to help them accomplish whatever their interests and goals are. She really gets to know them on a very personal level,” Sucharski said.

She said Brogan’s dedication was exemplified when she helped a young woman who loved jewelry making, arts, and crafts start and develop her own jewelry business.

“Adrian helped fulfill and support that passion and encouraged her to keep doing more,” Sucharski said. “She just makes those connections on a very personal level to find out what are your interests, what do you like to do and how can I help you accomplish that?”

Sucharski said Brogan is one of many amazing employees at Pony Bird.

“She’s a wonderful person, very kind and compassionate. She embodies the type of employee that Pony Bird’s looking for.”

Sucharski said there is a serious shortage of direct support professionals, and Pony Bird has four openings right now.

She said the job is not easy, but it’s fulfilling because the professionals feel like they make a positive impact at work every day.

“This is not a job for everyone. You have a significant responsibility in ensuring the lives of individuals with disabilities,” Sucharski said.

To be eligible for the job, and applicant must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

“We do provide all the training. We have competitive pay and benefits, particularly for our full-time employees,” she said.

Sucharski said Pony Bird has different opportunities and settings for employees, with some of their clients having significant needs, and others who are more independent and just need limited oversight.

“There’s a lot of variety in how people can be involved in this industry,” she said.

For more information about applying for a direct support professional job or other position at Pony Bird, visit its website at ponybird.org.