3Rivers Voices at the Table
Two employees are proudly representing 3Rivers on the Direct Care and Support Professional Advisory Council and we are excited to recognize Claire Kanuma and Michelle Smith for lending their experience, insight, and voices to this important work.
Established in 2022, the Council brings together direct care and direct support professionals from nursing homes, assisted housing, residential care, assisted living, and home care across the state. Their collective frontline voice helps inform policy decisions affecting thousands of professionals and the quality of services they provide. Claire and Michelle’s participation gives 3Rivers a valuable voice in those conversations.
MEET CLAIRE KANUMA
Residential Care Coordinator, 3Rivers | Advisory Council Member
Claire Kanuma has dedicated the past 10 years to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has served as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), Residential Lead, and now Residential Care Coordinator. Through every role, her passion for direct support and making a positive difference has continued to grow.
Claire has served on the Direct Care and Support Professional Advisory Council since October 2025. As a former DSP, she understands both the challenges and rewards of the profession. She joined the Council to be a voice for direct support professionals and to advocate for the people they support.
For Claire, quality support begins with the person providing it. She believes every interaction matters—and that a DSP’s attitude, compassion, and professionalism can have a tremendous impact on someone’s day. A caring, positive approach can help a person feel valued, confident, and supported. Claire hopes her work on the council helps strengthen the profession and reinforces the important role DSPs play in helping people live full and meaningful lives.
“Supporting and advocating for DSPs can only make things better for the people we support. Every day, we have the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life.”
— Claire Kanuma
MEET MICHELLE SMITH
Training Mentor, 3Rivers | Advisory Council Member
Michelle Smith has spent the past six years building her career at 3Rivers, beginning as an overnight Direct Support Professional (DSP). She later became a DSP Float, working in homes across the organization and supporting many different teams, individuals, and living environments. The experience broadened her perspective and strengthened her understanding of the many ways quality direct support can positively impact people’s lives.
Michelle’s dedication to the profession was recognized in 2024 when she was named our DSP of the Year. When the opportunity arose to become a Training Mentor, she saw it as another way to make a difference.
Today, Michelle helps prepare new employees for success through training, mentoring, and ongoing support. She believes one of the best ways to advocate for people receiving services is to ensure staff have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide high-quality, person-centered support. One project she is especially proud of was partnering with a person receiving services to develop American Sign Language (ASL) training, which has been shared with both 3Rivers employees and members of the community.
Since the merger, Michelle has divided her time between the Southern and Central regions, giving her the opportunity to learn from additional homes, staff, and people supported by 3Rivers. She brings those experiences to the advisory council, where she hopes to learn from direct support professionals across Maine, contribute to conversations about the future of the profession, and bring new ideas and best practices back to 3Rivers.
“I want to be part of the conversations happening across Maine so I can learn, advocate for our DSPs, and bring those ideas back to help strengthen the support we provide every day.”
— Michelle Smith