Frankie Pelster, a 14-year employee of Rosewood Services, has earned a national award from ANCOR, the leading voice in Washington, D.C., for community-based disability services providers.
Pelster, Rosewood’s Employment Network Specialist, has been named the “2025 Kansas Direct Support Professional of the Year.” She was recognized on April 9 during an awards ceremony at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel, along with 53 other DSP winners from across the nation. They were selected by ANCOR from a record-total of more than 500 nominations from across the nation.
“I am honored and humbled to win such a distinguished award,” exclaimed Pelster. “I genuinely love serving in the varied roles that I have, that help people with disabilities. The work itself is so rewarding, but winning the award is a pleasant surprise and it feels wonderful to be recognized in such a major way. I thank Rosewood Services for giving me so many opportunities to thrive and succeed in my field of work.”
Under Pelster’s guidance for the past decade, Rosewood Employment Network has led the way in the state of Kansas for successfully placing people with disabilities into the area workforce. Utilizing two programs within the state of Kansas, nearly 60 people in Rosewood Employment Network now work, or are in job-search mode within the program, which serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.
Additionally, Pelster serves as the lead sponsor of Rosewood Miracle Workers Aktion Club, helping members to coordinate community service projects. Those efforts include conducting a community crayon and coloring book drive in the fall and organizing a community blanket drive each winter. She also serves on the Great Bend Kiwanis Board of Directors, this year serving as the club’s treasurer. Pelster is also an active participant in Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK).
For her leadership efforts, Pelster was named “Kiwanian of the Year,” by the Great Bend club last year. In 2023, she won the “Barbara Bishop Support Staff of the Year Award,” for her leadership involvement with SACK.
“We are extremely proud of Frankie for being recognized as “Kansas DSP of the Year” by ANCOR,” said Rosewood Services CEO Tammy Hammond. “Frankie’s involvement, loyalty and commitment bring so much energy and encouragement to those we serve with disabilities at Rosewood. She is a true difference-maker for them in so many facets of their daily lives. We are fortunate to have her as a longtime employee at Rosewood Services.”
Since 2007, ANCOR’s annual DSP of the Year awards recognize outstanding DSPs who deliver long-term services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The awards celebrate the important role DSPs play in ensuring people with I/DD have what they need to thrive, and be included in the community.
“It is truly a pleasure to hear stories day in and day out about the magic that DSPs make possible as they deliver services that are nothing short of transformative for people with I/DD,” said Barbara Merrill, CEO for ANCOR. “It’s the very reason ANCOR began the DSP of the Year Awards program nearly two decades ago.”
