When dinner time turned serious at The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s Hoyte Community Home, three dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) sprang into action to save a beloved resident’s life. Their quick thinking and skilled response prevented what could have been a tragic outcome and exemplified the extraordinary care provided daily by The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s community home staff.

At dinner time on July 9th, 55-year-old Trey Bass, a resident with disabilities, who has called The Arc Caddo-Bossier home for over 32 years, began choking on his meal. What happened next showcased the professionalism, training, and dedication of three remarkable DSPs who have devoted decades of their lives to caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Georgia Carter, who has served The Arc Caddo-Bossier for nearly 25 years, was the first to notice Trey’s distress. “I just so happened to turn around and look towards the Trey sitting at the table, and I noticed he was in distress,” Carter recalled. Without hesitation, she ran to Trey’s side and began administering back blows.

When Carter’s initial efforts weren’t enough, Malcolm Cannon, an 18-year veteran DSP, immediately took over. “When I ran over, I attempted to help him, and he was starting to go down. His body weight was like dead weight and we were attempting to keep him upright,” Cannon explained. Working alongside Assistant House Manager Rasheeda Means, who has been with The Arc since 2000, the trio moved Trey to the living room and continued their life-saving efforts.

The three direct support professionals demonstrated the value of their extensive training in CPR, first aid, and emergency response. As Trey’s condition worsened – his face turning purple and blue from lack of oxygen – the team remained calm and focused. Carter immediately called 911 while Cannon and Means continued working with Trey, following the emergency operator’s instructions to encourage coughing rather than risk pushing the obstruction further down.

“We asked, can he drink water? And they said, no, don’t let him drink water. Have him to constantly cough, just cough. Because you don’t want to push the object further down. You want it to come up and out,” Carter explained.

Their persistence paid off. After what seemed like an eternity, Trey was able to cough up the large piece of food that had been blocking his airway. The relief was immediate as color returned to his face and his breathing normalized.

For these three DSPs, saving Trey’s life was more than professional duty – it was family caring for family. “I’ve been here 18 years, and the guys have become like family.   It doesn’t seem like a client-staff relationship.  I’ve become close to all of them,” Cannon shared.

Carter echoed this sentiment: “My kids are grown, so while these are not my kids, I can’t go more than two days without seeing them.”

“At The Arc Caddo Bossier, the safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority. We take great pride in our staff for their unwavering commitment, ongoing dedication to training, and their ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.” says Deborah Hill, The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s Director of Community Homes

Trey has been a cherished member of The Arc Caddo-Bossier family since March 26, 1993, and has lived at the Hoyte Home since March 27, 2018. Known for his love of sports, particularly volleyball and kickball, Trey has a special fondness for all holidays, with Halloween and his birthday being particular favorites. He participates in the Frost Day program and brings joy to those around him with his enthusiastic spirit.

“Trey is a very lovable person. He smiles a lot,” Carter described. 

A Legacy of Care and Innovation

The Arc Caddo-Bossier opened the first community home in Louisiana in October 1977. This innovative approach proved that there could be alternatives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that would allow those who lived there to thrive. Today, The Arc Caddo-Bossier currently owns and operates eight community homes throughout Northwest Louisiana, serving more than 50 people with round-the-clock care.

The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s Community Homes meets each individual’s needs through a person-centered plan customized to every person who lives in one of our homes. This incident exemplifies how well-trained, dedicated staff make this personalized care possible.

The heroic actions of Carter, Cannon, and Means highlight the critical need for skilled, compassionate DSPs in our community. We are committed to offering the program’s services through a skilled and competent staff of direct support professionals (DSPs), managers and supportive administrators.

Being a DSP is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single day. Our DSPs receive comprehensive training in CPR, first aid, de-escalation techniques, and person-centered care. They help residents with daily living skills, accompany them to community events, and provide the support that enables people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives in their own homes.

“Most of all, everybody can’t do the type of work that we do,” Carter noted, highlighting the special calling required for this profession.

The Arc Caddo-Bossier is actively seeking dedicated individuals to join our team of DSPs. If you’re looking for meaningful work that makes a real difference, we want to hear from you. Our community homes operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing numerous opportunities for full-time and part-time employment.

The rewards of being a DSP extend far beyond a paycheck. As Means explained, “I love to just come in and see them. I love to see Rory. Hey, everybody has their own thing about them… They all have their own little special.”

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Since 1954, The Arc Caddo-Bossier has been a vital resource for people with disabilities in Northwest Louisiana, offering community homes, employment services, children’s programs, and advocacy.

For more information about career opportunities as a Direct Support Professional, 

contact J.D. Stewart, Human Resources Director, at 318.221.8392, ext. 227 or jstewart@thearccaddobossier.org

The Arc Caddo-Bossier does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.