Carinne Buzzuto, The Arc of Warren County’s Training Coordinator and Self-Advocacy Adviser, Will Receive the Exceptional Direct Support Professional of the Year Award from the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network

Washington, N.J., March 22, 2021 – The Arc of Warren County’s Training Coordinator and Self-Advocacy Adviser, Carinne Buzzuto, will be receiving the Exceptional Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year Award from the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network and New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project (a program of The Arc of New Jersey). This event will be held during their virtual Award Luncheon on April 17, 2021.

“This is the first year the New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network is presenting this Award,” says Ashley Ritchey, Director of the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project.  “Carinne was chosen by our Board of The New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network and its participants for her capacity to provide exceptional, person-centered and comprehensive supports to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This award is also meant to acknowledge a Direct Support Professional who infuses the principles of self-advocacy in their work.”

Carinne has been a staff member of The Arc of Warren County for 20 years.  She has held multiple positions including Direct Support Professional, Coordinator of Independent Living/Life Skills Coach. She has been a Training Coordinator for the past 13 years and the Self-Advocacy Adviser for the past several years.

Carinne has continued to serve in the role as Direct Support Professional even while holding the positions of Training Coordinator and Self-Advocacy Advisor. She continued to work in group homes that are managed by The Arc of Warren County and has worked part-time as a DSP for other Agencies.

“I humbly accept this recognition, but also want to acknowledge many of my other colleagues for the exceptional work that they do,” says Carinne Buzzuto. “I know that our commitment makes an impact on the many individuals who we serve. I see that what we do makes a difference from their expressions and their smiles.”

The New Jersey Statewide Self-Advocacy Network is an affiliated program run by self-advocates with support from the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project.

Please click here to register this event. Visit www.NJSelfAdvocacyProject.org for information and resources for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Arc is a national organization that serves individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their family members since 1950.  The Arc of Warren County is one of 700 chapters of The Arc and serves more than 1,100 people annually for the past 66 years.  Programs include residential group homes and supervised apartments, day services, community-based supports, advocacy services, recreation and summer camp, Special Olympics training, early intervention and a wide variety of additional social services.