At Via of the Lehigh Valley, we know that great support starts with great people. That’s why we’re proud to announce that Via has been selected to receive the 2026 Moving Mountains Award, a prestigious national honor recognizing innovative workforce development practices that improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
Presented by ANCOR, the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), the award recognizes organizations that are helping Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) build meaningful, long-term careers through professional development, career advancement opportunities, ethical practice, and ongoing learning.
Via is being recognized for its DSP Engagement: Growing Careers at Via initiative, a comprehensive effort designed to strengthen and support the DSP workforce. The initiative focuses on reducing turnover, encouraging professional credentialing, creating clear career pathways, and ensuring DSPs have opportunities for growth, recognition, and engagement throughout their careers.
For Via President and CEO Lisa Walkiewicz, the award reflects the organization’s commitment to investing in the people who make its mission possible.
“This recognition belongs to our Direct Support Professionals, whose skill and dedication change lives every day,” said Walkiewicz. “Growing Careers at Via was born out of a workforce challenge, and it affirmed what we’ve seen firsthand: when you treat direct support as a profession with national credentials, a clear career ladder, opportunities for growth, and a genuine voice for DSPs, people build lasting careers. In turn, the individuals they support receive more consistent, person-centered, community-integrated care.”
The initiative recognizes an important truth: when DSPs are empowered to succeed, the people they support benefit as well. By investing in continued education, professional credentials, and leadership opportunities, Via is helping build a workforce that is skilled, engaged, and prepared to deliver high-quality, person-centered support.
National leaders in disability services have taken notice.
“Via is demonstrating how investments in training, credentialing, career advancement, and DSP engagement can strengthen the direct support workforce and, ultimately, improve the quality of support people with disabilities receive,” said Amy Hewitt, Director of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration.
The award serves as a celebration of Via’s DSPs and the vital role they play in helping people with disabilities build the lives they choose. Their commitment, compassion, and professionalism make a difference every day throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Representatives from Via will formally accept the award during the opening plenary session of the Reimagining Quality Conference in Baltimore this October.
As Via continues to invest in its workforce, the organization remains focused on creating opportunities for employees to grow, advance, and thrive because when careers grow, so do the possibilities for the people we support.
