Transcript Slide 1
The National Alliance for Direct Support
Professionals and the Florida Alliance for
Direct Support Professional Chapter
Making a World of Difference in Peoples’
Lives
NADSP Mission
The National Alliance for
Direct Support
Professionals promotes
the development of a
highly competent human
services workforce which
supports individuals in
achieving their life goals.
NADSP Vision
NADSP encourages the acceptance of a new vision,
where direct support is seen as a profession.
DSPs assists the individual they serve to lead a selfdirected life and contribute to his/her community; and
encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance
inclusion in his/her community.
NADSP Goals
Improve the status and image of Direct Support
Professionals (DSPs)
Increase opportunities for education, training and
lifelong learning for DSPs
Promote partnerships among people served, DSPs
and families
Support national voluntary credentialing for DSPs
Support policy change at organizational, local, state
and national levels
Chapters (established or in progress)
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
NADSP Tools
NADSP provides State Chapters and DSPs with tools
to assist them in achieving their professional goals:
NADSP Membership
NADSP Web site
NADSP Credentialing and Accreditation Program
Code of Ethics
Frontline Initiative
National DSP
Credential Program
On July 1, 2006, a national
credentialing program for
DSPs was launched by the
NADSP. This credential:
Is industry driven and VOLUNTARY
Establishes national patterns for
work-based learning and related
instruction
Is based on nationally validated
competencies (knowledge, skills,
and attitudes) called the Community
Support Skill Standards, the
NADSP Code of Ethics and DSP
Professionalism
Is flexible, portable, and nationally
recognized
Verification process to confirm DSP
certification status
National DSP Credential Levels
DSP –Registered
DSP - Certified
Training and work sample requirements
DSP - Specialized
Training and work sample requirements
Direct Support Professional Registered
Now available
Requirements
Criminal background check within last 12 months
Required state and organizational training completed
Continuous employment for 6 months in community human
services (can be individual employer who self-directs)
Letter of professional commitment
NADSP Code of Ethics commitment
Cost
$50.00
Re-certification
Not required at this level
Direct Support Professional –
Certified
Now Available
Requirements
Cost
Are a DSP- Registered
Completed an approved education/training program
200 instructional hours
3000 OJT
Two years continuous work with community human service employer (can be
individual employer who self-directs)
Submit professional resume
Update professional statement
Letter of support/recommendation from person supported (or family
member/legal representative as needed and appropriate)
Portfolio including 8 work samples in required competency areas
NADSP Code of Ethics commitment
$150.00
Re-certification
Every two years
20 hours continuing education in community human services
Re-affirm commitment to NADSP Code of Ethics
$50.00
Direct Support Professional Specialized
Available fall/winter of 2007
Four Specialized Certificates
Positive Behavior Support
Health Support
Inclusion
Supervision and Mentoring
Requirements
DSP-certified
40 hours approved continuing education in area of specialization
One year continuous employment with an individual that requires specialized
support in the area of specialization DSP is seeking
Letter of support/recommendation from employer regarding DSP
competence in area of specialization
Cost
$100.00
Re-certification
Every two years
DSP –certified is current
$10.00 (per specialization)
5 hours continuing education in are of specialization
Re-affirm commitment to NADSP Code of Ethics
Competency Areas
Participant
Empowerment
Communication
Assessment
Community and Service
Networking
Facilitation of Services
Community Living Skills
and Supports Education, Training and
Self-Development
Advocacy
Vocational, Educational
and Career Support
Crisis Prevention and
Intervention
Organizational (employer)
Participation
Documentation
Facilitation Relationships
and Friendships
Supporting Health and
Wellness
Develop PersonCentered Goals and
Objectives
Educational Programs
Pre-Approved Programs
U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship
Certification for Direct Support Specialist
College of Direct Support (15 courses including
OJT and portfolio development)
NADSP Accreditation of Existing Programs
Available October 2007
Requires programmatic self-study to determine
congruence with the NADSP endorsed Skill
Standards
On site review by NADSP
Awards
Awards
NADSP Code of Ethics
Person Centered Supports
Promoting Physical and Emotional
Well-Being
Confidentiality
Self-Determination
Integrity& Responsibility
Justice, Fairness& Equity
Respect
Relationships
Advocacy
Frontline Initiative
The NADSP official publication
FI promotes the interests of DSPs who
support people with disabilities in a variety
of community settings
FI offers readers stories and articles that
are of interest to people concerned with the
quality of support to people with disabilities
FI publishes stories and articles from DSPs,
who in turn benefit from sharing their ideas
and successes
FI can be used in a variety of settings
(e.g.staff meetings) as a training and
discussion tool.
FADSP Mission
To promote the development of a
highly competent human services
workforce which supports individuals
achieving their life goals.
FADSP Guiding Principles
Enhance the status of direct support professionals
Provide better access for all direct support
professionals to high quality educational experiences
and life long learning
Strengthen the working relationships between DSPs,
self-advocates, families and other consumer groups
Promote system reform which provides incentives for
educational experiences, increased pay, etc
Support the development of a national voluntary
credentialling process for DSPs
FADSP Organizational Goals
The goal of FADSP includes promoting the interests of
the direct support workforce by:
Promoting the direct support profession as a viable
career opportunity,
Keeping FADSP members aware of pertinent national
and state issues,
Exploring ways to make NADSP accredited
credentialling programs available to DSPs in Florida
Supporting and encouraging participation in legislative
campaigns both on a national and state level
FADSP Organizational Framework
Membership
Advisory Board
Adminstration
FADSP Chapter Goals and Objectives
Establish and maintain active FADSP membership and a
defined organizational structure
a) Maintain an active Advisory Board and conduct
monthly meetings
b) Establish an organizational charter, mission statement
and membership structure by October 2007 – DONE!
c) Organize a meeting in conjuction with Florida 2008
ARF’s Annual meeting for FADSP members for
learning, reflection and the creation of a strong
agenda
d) Hold bi-annual membership meetings
Goals and Objectives con’t
Promote FADSP and increase membership
a) Generate at least 20 members by February 2008
b) Disseminate a bi-annual newsletter
c) Make presentations about workforce issues and
FADSP activities at board meetings, advocacy
groups and local/regional conferences of
organizations such as SEAAMR, USPRA Florida
Chapter, FAPSE, ARC Florida, Family CAFÉ and the
Interagency Council.
d) Develop and implement a strategic recruitment plan
involving regional recruitment
Goals and Objectives con’t
e) Publish information about FADSP
f) Meet with regional employment boards and private
industry councils to inform them about the direct
support workforce and to seek support for training and
education programs
g) Make contacts at agencies that support people with
disabilities and enlist their support
h) Enlist the support of self-advocates and families to
understand the importance of and the need for
promoting the direct support workforce and
encourage them to present positive personal
experiences
FADSP Long Term Goals
Organize a direct support professional recognition day
that includes public recognition for the direct support
workforce
Organize a statewide conference that brings direct
support professionals together with self-advocates
and policy makers for learning and reflection
Incorporate the Florida Alliance for Direct Support
Professionals
Strategies for Building Our
Chapter
Continue to make contacts at agencies throughout the
State that support people with disabilities.
Provide training to DSPs on grassroots lobbying
related to the direct support workforce and how they
can impact their local and state legislators
Encourage regions/areas to develop local DSP
groups that support the FADSP
Encourage the support and action of family members
and self advocates.
Strategies con’t
Work through professional associations/organizations
to promote the goals and mission of NADSP and
FADSP
Identify key people in your community that support
your efforts through their personal involvement or in
kind support
Seek funds from foundations, state human service
agencies, etc to support coalition building efforts
around workforce development. Meet with
foundations, the DD Council and policy makers to
stimulate projects and research that will benefit the
direct support workforce