28
Oct
2025

Matt Barry Received the 2025 Direct Support Professional Family Relationship Award

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Keystone Human Services is proud to announce that Matt Barry, Direct Support Professional (DSP), is the 2025 recipient of the Pennsylvania Advocates and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR) Direct Support Professional Family Relationship Award.

Matt takes a person-driven approach, helping people build confidence and empowering them to achieve their goals and make decisions. He actively listens and communicates clearly, respectfully, and honestly with people accepting services, families, and coworkers.

For over six years, Matt has supported one man who communicates without speaking. This man was used to following the direction of others and rarely left the house. Matt helped him feel empowered to make his own choices and express his wishes. By paying attention and offering opportunities to explore activities, Matt helped him discover that he enjoys art and going for walks, especially in the park to observe nature.

This man is now doing his own grocery shopping. With Matt’s guidance, he plans meals, creates grocery lists, goes to the store, and has even explored new foods.

Every weekend, Matt facilitates a visit between this man and his mother. For years, their mother-son relationship had been challenging, but Matt worked to create a positive environment built on feelings of trust and safety for the two of them to rebuild the relationship that both of them wanted. Now she visits regularly and they are happy to have each other in their lives. Her son especially enjoys her cooking.

Matt also works in another home, where he has taken a leadership role. He makes sure everyone is updated and helps people accepting services to schedule visits with family and friends. He helps people to take charge of their lives and plan their week, so they know what to expect and each day flows the way they want it to.

Matt is an outstanding DSP. He makes people feel heard, that their voice matters and is important.

Join KHS in congratulating Matt on receiving this year’s PAR DSP Family Relationships Award!