BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ANCOR, the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) announced today that Via of the Lehigh Valley has been selected to receive the 2026 Moving Mountains Award, a prestigious national honor recognizing organizations that use innovative workforce development practices to improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
The award recognizes service providers that are helping Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) build meaningful, long-term careers through training, professional credentials, career advancement opportunities, ethical practice, and strong partnerships with the people and families they support. Award recipients are selected based on their commitment to the core principles promoted by NADSP, including lifelong learning, career growth, ethical decision-making, and collaboration.
Via is being recognized for its DSP Engagement: Growing Careers at Via initiative, which focuses on reducing DSP turnover, building a credentialed professional workforce, and creating a visible, career ladder that rewards growth and longevity. The initiative also emphasizes employee engagement, recognition, advocacy, and flexible training to prepare DSPs to provide person-centered, community-integrated support.
“We are honored to receive the 2026 Moving Mountains Award,” said Lisa Walkiewicz, President and CEO of Via of the Lehigh Valley. “This recognition belongs to our Direct Support Professionals, whose skill and dedication change lives every day. 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. When our DSPs grow, the people they support thrive.”
“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. “Through its commitment to professional development and workforce innovation, Via is creating meaningful pathways for DSPs to build their skills, advance their careers, and view direct support as the profession it is.”
Representatives from Via will accept the award during the opening plenary session of the Reimagining Quality Conference, taking place October 4 to 6 in Baltimore.
About Via of the Lehigh Valley
Serving our community since 1952, Via’s mission is to help people reach their full potential through a rewarding career, meaningful relationships, and an enriching community life. Via creates pathways to success through vocation, inclusion, and advocacy. Led by 2023 Woman of Influence Award winner, Lisa Walkiewicz, President
and CEO, Via was named a Top Workplace in four consecutive years, from 2023 through 2026, by The Morning Call.
In a typical year, Via provides services to 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Bucks, and Berks counties. These services include vocational exploration, community employment, educational activities, volunteer and recreational opportunities for teens and adults, early intervention therapies, and inclusive education for young children. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more.
About the Moving Mountains Award
The Moving Mountains Award is one of the nation’s leading recognitions for disability service providers that are strengthening the direct support workforce. Recipients are recognized for creating opportunities for professional growth, encouraging ongoing learning and credentialing, promoting ethical and person-centered supports, and fostering collaboration among direct support professionals, people with disabilities, families, and advocates.
Information provided to TVL by:
Christine Bell
