Congratulations to our April Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Month, Haylee Richards!

As the Assistant Program Manager for Inspiration Studios Inclusive Wellness, Haylee has spent the past year helping build a program rooted in growth and opportunity for the people it serves!

Haylee’s path into the field of human services was a natural one. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications from Trine University in December 2023, she knew she wanted a career centered on supporting others.

Before stepping into her role as a DSP, Haylee worked in childcare at the Great Miami Valley YMCA. That experience, combined with her lifelong exposure to the field through her mother, who worked in special education, helped shape her passion. Growing up, Haylee spent time in her mother’s classroom, learning an important lesson early on: differences should be embraced, not excluded. That perspective continues to guide her work today.

Haylee’s journey with Inspiration Studios began on a milestone day, the very first day the Inclusive Wellness program launched. From the start, she has been a driving force behind the program’s development, helping to build it from the ground up alongside her team. Every lesson, activity, and experience in the program is meant to be shaped by the interests and needs of the individuals who attend, creating a space that is both engaging and empowering.

“The thing I like most about working at Inspiration Studios is getting to see the clients’ wins every day,” Haylee shared. “We really try to gear the program towards their interests, so seeing them succeed at what they want to learn is always rewarding.”

One of those wins stands out as especially meaningful. Early on, Haylee and her team discovered that many participants had never visited a library or had a library card. What started as a simple observation turned into a new opportunity, regular monthly visits to the Lane Library. Now, many participants proudly have their own library cards and look forward to each visit. These trips have sparked new interests in learning, from recognizing letters to building spelling and comprehension skills.

In one particularly memorable moment, Haylee worked one-on-one with a participant who, with focused support, was able to recognize letters and spell their name for the first time. According to Haylee, it’s these moments, both big and small, that define the impact of a DSP.

Haylee’s impact extends far beyond daily interactions. Kimberly Steigerwald, Inclusive Wellness Program Manager at Inspiration Studios and Haylee’s direct supervisor, shared:

“Haylee has been a driving force within the Inclusive Wellness program. She is compassionate and respectful to every client, every day. She is working hard on our literacy pillar and identifying clients who want additional assistance in literacy and finance. Haylee is often the go-to person for clients needing extra assistance. She is working to develop a new curriculum and intramural activities as well. She embraces an ‘if it’s not fun, why do it?’ mentality that we’ve been working to build in our small community.”

Steigerwald, who first met Haylee while they were both working at the GMV YMCA childcare program, added that when the Inclusive Wellness program launched, “she was the first person I wanted to join me in this adventure.”

Alongside her daily work with clients, Haylee is completing her Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport (set to graduate in May 2026), all while helping lead curriculum development during a time when the program has relied on a small team. Steigerwald also highlighted Haylee’s resilience and dedication, noting that she has persevered through the challenges of entering a new field, building relationships with clients, and even stepping up to support the program during unexpected circumstances, including when Steigerwald was hospitalized at the end of 2025. “She is a very valuable part of my program,” Steigerwald shared.

While the work can be challenging, Haylee emphasizes the joy it brings. “Genuinely, I get to have fun every day,” she said. “There are hard days, but I learn just as much from our clients as they do from us.”

Through her dedication, compassion, and commitment to person-centered support, Haylee has helped create an environment where individuals feel valued, capable, and excited to learn. The Inclusive Wellness program has grown into a place participants look forward to, a reflection of the care and intention Haylee brings to her role each day.

Congratulations to Haylee Richards, BCBDD’s DSP of the Month, for her outstanding contributions and the difference she continues to make in the lives of others.

If you know a DSP that is going above and beyond for those they serve every day, nominate them for May DSP of the Month using the form below. Nominations are due by Monday, May 4.