The Code of Ethics - Research and Training Center on Community

A publication of the NationalAlliance for Direct Support Professionals

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InitiativeVolume 10 • Number 1 • 2012

•“Starvationcaseshowsabuseinstatesystem”(Dayton Daily News,Ohio,January8,2012)

•“Streamwoodhealthworkerchargedwithabusingdisabledboy”(The Daily Herald,Illinois,December20,2011)

•“SummitneededonvulnerableIowans:Incidentsraisequestionsaboutstateof-ficials’responses”(The Gazette,Iowa,September22,2011)

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Frontlinenotes•2

CarryingforwardJFKJr.’svision:NADSPupdate•3

OnourwaytoCircleK:LivingtheCode•4

Frompersonaltoprofessionalethics:Aholisticapproach•5

Storytelling,DSPs,andtheCodeofEthics:Arecipeforlearning•6

Morethanjustapaycheck:HowtheCodehasimpactedmypersonal,professional,andcommunitylife•7

Avitaltool:Self-advocacyleaderCarrieVarnersharesinsightsontheCodeofEthics•8

Continuingthetraditionofbridginggaps:WhytheCodeappliestoeveryoneinpolicyandservices•9

TheRIGHTDecisionMethod:Anapproachforsolvingethicaldilemmas•10

Firstthingsfirst:CurrentNADSPinitiatives•12

Frontlineresources•13

NADSPsupporting&affiliateorganizations,statechaptersandcontacts•14

By Tom Harmon

2011wasawakeupcallforallinNewYorkState’sintellectualanddevelop-mentaldisabilitiesservicecommunity.Itbeganwithafront-pagearticleintheNew York Times, “Atstate-runhomes,abuseandimpunity”(March12,2011).NewYork,however,wasnotalone.

Herearesomeotherrecentheadlinesfromaroundthecountry—

Continuedonpage15

InsideWhat’s

NADSP Code of Ethics Let’s pledge to live by the Code

2

Frontline InitiativeissupportedthroughacooperativeagreementbetweentheNationalInstituteonDisabilityandRehabilitationResearch,U.S.DepartmentofEduca-tion(#H133B080005)andtheResearchandTrainingCenteronCommunityLiving(RTC)attheInstituteonCommunityIntegration,UniversityofMinnesota.TheopinionsexpressedarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsoftheRTC,Institute,UniversityofMinnesota,ortheirfundingsources.

Frontline Initiativeisavailableinalternateformatsuponrequest.

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EditorAnnieJohnsonSirekAssistant editorJenniferReinkeManaging editorLoriSedlezkyGraphic designConnieBurkhartWeb www.nadsp.orgEditorial boardTonyAnderson,MikeBray,LisaBurck,SusanCopeland,KristineFoss,RichardGarnett,TomHarmon,SusanJakoblew,MaryLawson,JosephMacbeth,ScottOsterfeld,LoriRaymond,CourtneySwilley

NADSP StaffJosephMacbeth,ExecutiveDirectorJohnSauer,WorkforceDevelopmentCoordinator

NADSP Board of DirectorsLisaBurck,PresidentDonCarrick,VicePresidentJeanneDesjardins,SecretaryRegisObijiskiJayMackeyTonyThomasStephanieMarshJamesR.MeadoursJerriMcCandlessSusanCopelandJuliePriceDavidLiscombCarolBrittonLaws

NADSP Foundation Board of DirectorsLisaBurckRegisObijiskiJohnRoseTonyThomas

Contribute to Frontline InitiativeIfyouareinterestedincontributingtoFrontline Initiative orreprintinganarticle,pleasecontact—

AnnieJohnsonSirekResearchandTrainingCenteronCommunityLivingE-mail:joh02055@umn.edu

Frontline

WelcometoourFrontline Initia-tiveontheCodeofEthics.DirectSupportProfessionals(DSPs)oftenexperienceethicallycomplicatedsituations,andtheyfrequentlyfindthemselvesunderintensescrutinyfromsupervisors,fam-ilymembersandregulators.ThepublichasrecentlyreadmanyaccountsofDSPsbehavingunethi-callyintheirprofessionand,mostimportantlyandsadly,topeopletheysupport.Thereality,however,isthatmostDSPsperformethicallyastheygrowandfosterrelation-shipswiththepeopletheysup-port.Since2001,theNADSPCode

ofEthicshasbeenaliving,breath-ing,anddynamicresourcetohelpDSPsintheirdailydecision-makingactivities.DSPLoriRaymondandProgramCoordinatorBethanyToledo(onbehalfofDSPBelindaSowers)offerinsideperspectivesofhowtheCodeofEthicshasbeenasignificanttoolintheirev-erydaywork.Self-advocateCarrieVarneralsosharesherimportantperspectiveonwhattheCodeofEthicsmeanstoher.BecausebeinganethicalDSP

requireseffectivedecision-makingskills,thisissueincludesseveralar-ticlesthatcanbeusedtofacilitatediscussionatastaffmeetingoramongcoworkers.InanoverviewoftheRIGHTDecisionMethod,

AnnieJohnsonSirekdiscussesausefulframeworkforsolvingethicaldilemmas.RuthLuckassonoffersanimportantdistinctionbe-tweenpersonalandprofessionalethics,andNYSACRAPresidentTomHarmonexploreshowtheprincipleswithintheCodeofEth-icscanbeusedwhenDSPsfindthemselvesinsituationsforwhichtheymaynotfeelwelltrained.Asanorganization,NADSP

hastakenactioninencouragingDSPstodotherightthing,allofthetime,andLisaBurck,presi-dentofNADSP,describesanewinitiativetorecognizeexcellenceinDSPwork.Inaddition,RichardCohen,ExecutiveDirectoroftheDisabilitiesRightsCenterofNewHampshire,sharessomeimportanthistoryinregardstosomeofthepolicyinitiativesasrelatedtotheCodeofEthicsandthedisabilityrightsmovement.Wehopeyouwillenjoythis

issueasyoulearnmoreaboutap-plyingtheNADSPCodeofEthicsinyourworkasaDSP.~Theeditors

notes

3

By Joseph M. Macbeth

AsIwasrecentlygoingthroughaboxofhistoricalinformationabouttheNADSP,oneletter,datedMay22,1996reallycaughtmyat-tention.Thisletterwasacalltoactiontolaunchanewinitiativetoestablisha“NationalAllianceforDirectServiceWorkers”.AsfarasIcouldtell,thismayhavebeenthefirsttimetheseideasweretakingshapeandputintoaction.Theauthorwentontoexplainthatacommittedgroupofprofession-alswantedto“helpdevelopacomprehensiveagenda,informedpublicpoliciesandeffectivestrate-giestostrengthenandredefinetheemergingroleofthedirectsupportworkforce”.TheauthorofthatletterwasthelateJohnF.KennedyJr.IamproudtosaythatwearecarryingonJohn’svisionandwehopethatyoucontinuewithusaswe“MakeaWorldofDifferenceinPeople’sLives”.AsIreadandlearnedmore

aboutthebeginningsoftheNAD-SP,itbecamecleartomethatwehavealreadycontributedagreatdealtothefieldofintellectualanddevelopmentaldisabilitiesandoneofourearliestcontributionsistheCodeofEthics.Inthelate1990s,DirectSupportProfession-als(DSPs)fromaroundthecountryattendedfocusgroupsoveratwoyearperiodtogivetheirinputonthevaluesoftheprofessionandtheyeventuallyidentifiedninebroadareas.TheseareaswereusedtocreatetheframeworkfortheCodeofEthics.Subsequently,moreDSPsandotherdisabilityadvocatescametogetheragaintofurtherdevelopandfinalize

theCodeofEthicsin2001.Nowwidelydisseminated,thisbodyofworkoffersDSPs,individualswithdisabilities,serviceorganizationsandfamilymembersastandardofconductandprofessionalism.Asyou’llreadinthisissueofFrontline Initiative,theCodeofEthicsisapowerfulanddynamicbodyofworkthatcontaintheidealsoftheprofession.Theyarenotsome-thingthatoneshouldbeaskedtosimplyread,signandfollow.Ihavehadthegreatprivilege

oftravellingaroundthecountrywithmycolleague,JohnRaffaele,wherewe’veprovidedthousandsofDSPsanopportunitytobeim-mersedintotheCodeofEthics.Duringthesesessions,participantsareaskedtonavigatethroughamazeofethicaldilemmasthatconfrontthemonaregularbasis.Afterthese“ethicalencounters,”weprovidetheopportunityforthemtosharesomeoftheirownexperienceswithethicaldilem-maswhileworkingasaDSP.Sometimesthesestoriesareheartwrenchingandsometimestheyaresubtle-butallofthemreflecttheincredibleresponsibilityofthe

NADSP update

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Carrying forward JFK Jr.’s vision

directsupportroleandhowtheyareoftenaskedtomakecriticaldecisionswithoutnotice.Often,thedecisionsthataremadecanbeamatterofhappiness,health,safety,lifeanddeathfortheper-sonwhoisreceivingsupports.Asafacilitator,Icanliterallyseethemomentwhenaparticipant“getsit”–there’sanodofunderstand-ingthattheirworkhasaroadmapandoncethatmapisconsulted,theguessworkofbeinganethicalpractitionerisremoved.

Joseph Macbeth is the Executive Director of NADSP. He can be reached at jmacbeth@nadsp.org or 518-449-7551.

Inthecomingweeksandmonths,theNADSPwillbejoiningourStateChaptersin“OperationEthics,”where,inavarietyofways,wehopetoreachasmanyDSPswithinformationabouttheCodeofEthicsandprovidethemwithourwalletcardsandbracelets.

4

On our way to Circle K

By Bethany Toledo and Belinda Sowers

ItwasApril,2009whenBelindaandTeresafirstmet.Teresawasaforty-fiveyearoldwomanwithRhettSyndromewholivedathomewithherparents.ThisisastoryofBelindaSowers,aDirectSupportProfessional(DSP)inZanesville,Ohio,whosecommit-menttolivingtheCodeofEthicsgreatlyimpactednotonlytheper-sonshesupported,butanentirecommunity.WhenBelindabeganworking

withTeresa,muchofTeresa’sdayconsistedofsittinginherwheelchairoronthecouch.AfterparticipatinginTeresa’sroutineseveraltimes,BelindawonderedwhatelseTeresacoulddo.Af-terwatchingTeresacarefully,BelindanoticedthechangesinTeresa’sfacialexpressionswhenhermotherturnedthepagesofhermagazines.BelindawonderedifmaybeTeresalikedbooks,andstartedbringinginteractivebookstoworkwithher.Teresareactedwithsquealsoflaughter!Belindabeganresearching

RhettSyndromeandcouldnotfindanythingsayingthatTeresacouldnotlearn.Teresaalreadyknewhowtoshakeherhead“no,”butrolledhereyesfor“yes.”BelindabeganteachingTeresatonodherhead“yes”instead.Itworked!BelindabeganaskingTeresayes/noquestionsasawaytostartprovidingTeresasomechoiceinherdailyschedule.Forexample,insteadofleavingTeresainthelivingroomwhileshemadedinnerforher,Belindawouldaskherifshewantedto

tosupportingTeresa,Belindahasprioritizedperson-centeredplan-ning,andhasclearlypromotedTeresa’spersonalandemotionalwell-being.WithBelinda’ssup-port,Teresahashadopportunitiestoself-directherlifeandbuildrelationshipswithmembersofhercommunity.Belinda’srelationshipwithTeresa’sfamilyrespectfullyresemblesthatofapartnership.IfyoudrivethroughNewConcordonanydecentspring,summer,orfallday,youarelikelytoseeBelindaandTeresacontinuingtomaketheirroundstovisittheirfriendsandneighbors.

Bethany Toledo is the MRI Program Coordinator and the Mideast PATHS Regional Coordinator in Zanesville, Ohio. She can be reached at pcbethany@

prodigy.net.

Belinda Sowers is a DSP at Muskingum Residentials, Inc. in Zanesville, OH. Belinda received the Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) DSP Award this past fall. Belinda is also a Professional Advancement through Training and Education in Human Services; Certificate of Initial Proficiency (PATHS CIP) graduate.

joinherinthekitchen.Teresanod-dedyes,andhermotheragreed.Belindatooktimetobuilda

relationshipwithTeresa’smother,andaskedherquestionstogainhertrust.ItwasbecauseofthisbuilttrustthatTeresa’smomagreedtoBelinda’srequesttotakeTeresaoutsideandsitontheporch.Thenexttime,Belindaaskedtogooutbacktotheswing,thendownthebackalley,thenallofthewayintotown.Itwasn’tlongbeforetheywerespendingtwohoursout,thenthree.Theywouldvisitthemanthatworkedinthehardwarestore,thelibrary,thentoCircleKforaspecialtreat,andsometimestheymadeitallofthewaytotheendoftowntotheIGA.Teresa’sparentshadneverseenhersohappy.Everyoneno-ticedahugedifferenceinTeresa;shehadfewerearinfections,sleptbetter,sheevenstartedtogetatan.Andherlaugh,itwasconta-gious!Oneday,themanagerfrom

CircleKaskedBelindatobringTeresaonacertaindayatacer-taintime.Theyhadhadacementramppouredandtheywantedhertobethefirsttouseit.BelindahascontinuedtoensureTeresaisincludedinhercommunityaroundher.Together,theyhavetraveledtothelocalhighschoolforamusi-calconcert,totheareapooltowatchthekidsswim,totheparkforfireworksandoutdoormovienights,andtherearemanymoreplansinthemaking.Belinda’sactionsillustratesev-

eraloftheprinciplescentraltotheCodeofEthics.InhercommitmentFr

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Living the Code

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State-o

f-the-art definition

From personal to professional ethics

By Ruth Luckasson

Theethicswelearninourperson-allives—tohelpothers,behon-est,befair,bekind,berespectful,trytodogoodintheworld—guideusinouractionswithotherpeopleandmakeourcommunitiesbetterplaces.Thesepersonal eth-icsareusuallynotwrittendowninoneplace,butarecarriedinourhearts.Parentsandcommunityleadersinformallyteachusperson-al ethicsthroughoutourlives.Strongpersonalethicsare

necessary,andcanbeabasisforethicalactionsinourworkasDi-rectSupportProfessionals(DSPs).However,theprofessionalworkofprovidingdirectsupportpresentsuniquechallengesandquestionsandrequirestheguidanceofpro-fessionalethics.Professionalethicsarediffer-

entfrompersonalethicsinthatprofessionalethicsare—

•Writtendownina“code”inordertobecomepartofwork,training,andemploymentcon-tracts;

•Formallytaughtthroughprofes-sionaldevelopmentandcoursessothateveryemployeehastheopportunitytolearnandapplytheethicalprinciples;

•Carefullydesignedtocoveruniquesituationsintheprofes-sion.

Aprofessionalcodeofethicsiscriticaltohelpindividualworkersmakebetterdecisionsintheirdailywork.Professionalethicsguideouractionstobemoreconsistentwiththevaluesoftheprofession.Havingacodeofethicsmarkstheprofessionasatrueprofessionin

theeyesofothersandunitestheprofessionaroundahighstandardofactions.Asaresult,theprofes-sionismorelikelytoberespectedforitscontributions.

Writingacodeofethicsandadoptingitisacriticalstepinthedevelopmentofatrueprofession.Directsupportisaprofession,andadheringtotheNADSPCodeofEthicsisessentialforeverymem-beroftheprofession.Giventhecriticalnatureofpro-

fessionalethics,whatshouldbedoneinordertohighlightprofes-sionalethicsinworkwithindividu-alswithdisabilities?

For DSPs themselves,itisessentialtolearnandfollowtheNADSPCodeofEthics.

For provider agencies,itisessentialtoincludetheNADSPCodeofEthicsinalltrainingandtoincorporateitinallpoliciesandprocedures.

For state and federal funders, itisessentialtorespectandincorporatetheNADSPCodeofEthicsinfundingandmonitor-ing.

Asaprofessionalorganiza-tion,NADSPmustpromotewidediscussionoftheprinciplesoftheNADSPCodeofEthicsandcon-tinuallyupdatetheCodesothatitreflectsbestpracticesinthepro-fession.ItisalsocriticalforNADSPtoprovideopportunitiesforallmemberstoengageincontinuouslearningandpracticeofhigheststandardsofprofessionalethics.Inconclusion,personalethics

areanessentialfoundationtopro-fessionalethics.Butprofessionalethicsgofurther.TheNADSPCodeofEthicsprovidesanethicalframeworkforworkers,agencies,funders,organizations,andindi-vidualsreceivingsupports.Beingaprofessionalinthisfieldmeansful-fillingprofessionalresponsibilities.ThisincludesapplyingtheNADSPCodeofEthicstoallaspectsofprovidingdirectsupport.

Ruth Luckasson, J.D., is a Regents’ Professor and Professor of Special Education at the University of New Mexico. She can be reached at ruthl@unm.edu.

A holistic approach

Direct support is

a profession, and

adhering to the

NADSP Code of

Ethics is essential for

every member of the

profession.

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Storytelling, DSPs, and the Code of EthicsA recipe for learning

By Direct Support Professional Alliance of New York State (DSPANYS)

Civilizationwouldnotbewhereitistodayifnotforstorytelling.Longbeforewrittenlanguageandpens,paper,theprintingpress,andelectronicmedia,simplestorytellingimpartedwisdom.Thehistory,traditionsandlawsofmostoftoday’ssocietieshadtheiroriginsinoraltradition,theshar-ingofstories.Storytellingstillhasitsplace.

FromAesop’sfablesandJesus’parablestomoderndaycoursesinlaw,nursing,socialworkandotherprofessions,storiesorcasestudiesplayakeyroleinlearning.Theymakeabstracttheoriesreal;theyputfleshandbloodonbareboneprinciples!AndsoitshouldbewithDirectSupportProfession-als(DSPs)andNADSP’sCodeofEthics.Everyday,inmanyways,DSPs

liveouttheCode.Thatisgood.Butoften,theydon’trealizeit,andthatisnotsogood.It’snotsogoodbecausewhenDSPsrunintodifficultsituations,needtomakedecisionsbutdon’tknowtheCode,theywillhavedifficultymakingtherightdecision.TheCodeistheretohelpDSPstocon-sciouslyorpurposefullymaketherightdecision,andnothappenonitbyluckoraccident–orworse,makethewrongdecision.That’swherestorytellingcomes

in.HeatherDaigneault,aDSPwiththeARCofRensselaerCountyandDSPANYSRegionalVicePresident,foundaverysimplewaytosparksuchdiscussion.ShetookthenineprinciplesoftheCode,cuteachoneoutandgluedittoan

indexcard.ShethendistributedtheindexcardstoasmallgroupofDSPsshewasmeetingwithattheARCDayProgram.Sheinvitedhercolleaguestogiveanexampleofwhattheyhavedoneorseenwhichillustratedtheprincipleonthecardtheywereholding.Itopenedthedoortoanhourlongconversationduringwhichevery-onegainedadeeperunderstand-ingoftheCodeandhowitcanbeappliedintheireverydaywork.Thatdeeperunderstandinghap-penedbecausetheysharedtheirstories.WhatDSPdoesn’thaveastory

totell?Whatlessonsarewaitingtobelearned?NotonlycanyouhelpeducateyourfellowDSPs,butyoucanalsoinformthewidercommunity.Storytellingisanes-sentialstrategyinadvocatingforourworkforceandindividualswhoreceivesupports.Policymakersandleadersoforganizationsneedtohearaboutyourexperiencesonthefrontlines.Yourstoriescaninformtheirdecisionstoadvanceourfield.Aswetellstories,weshallalwaysensureandmaintainconfidentialityofindividuals.ThisisanimportantprincipleinourCode.Confidentialityinpracticeandadvocacyreinforcesthefoun-dationofourprofession.Readthestoriesbelow,shared

byDSPsduringNYSACRA’sandDSPANY’sannualconferences,andthinkabouthowtheseDSPsappliedtheCodetotheireverydaywork.(MorestoriescanbefoundintheseriesofpublicationsVoices from the Frontlines availableonlineat:http://www.directsup-portprofessional.org.)

Cancer scareAwomanhadasignificantfamilyhistoryofbreastcancer.Duringanannualphysicalexamination,thetypicalyearlymammogramwasnotorderedbythephysician.TheDSPwhosupportedthewomannoticedthisandquestionedwhy.Thephysician’sofficeindicatedthatthemammogramwasnotorderedbecausethelastthreehadcomebacknegative.Thedoctorhadwantedtoholdoffonthemammogramforthreeyears,ratherthancontinuetodoitonayearlybasis.ButtheDSPinsisted,citingthewoman’sfamilialhisto-ry.Shespokewiththenurseandthenthephysician,andprevailed.Themammogramwasdone;itrevealedbreastcancer,whichiscurrentlyundertreatment.

Coming up rosesAyoungmanregularlyattendedadayhabilitationprogramwhereoneofhisactivitieswaspackag-ingsponges.Hewasproductive,butextremelyboredandunhappy.ADSPworkingatthedaypro-gramknewtheyoungmanandknewthathelovedgardeningathishomeonweekends.TheDSPsuggested,andtheyoungmanagreed,thattheylookforajobinthegardeningbusiness.Togethertheywenttogreenhousesintheareaandeventuallytheyoungmanlandedajobwateringandfertilizingplantsseveraldaysaweek.Heloveshisnewjob.Notonlyisitmorefunthanpackagingsponges,itpays$7.25anhour.

DSPANYS is the New York State Chapter of NADSP. More information can be found at www.dspanys.org.

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By Lori Raymond

WhenIfirstreadtheCodeofEthicsfromtheNationalAllianceforDirectSupportProfessionals(NADSP),Ihadawarmphysicalreactionandasmilegrewfromtheinsideout.TheCodeofEthicsdescribeswhatbeingaDirectSup-portProfessional(DSP)trulymeans—theygetit!TheCodeencom-passesalltheresponsibilitiesandvaluesoftheworkwedo.Ihavehadtheprivilegetowork

asaDSPforovertwentyyears.Thishasbeenimportantworkformeandhasinspiredandtaughtmetobeamoreacceptingandforgivingperson.Ihavebecomemoreawareofbiasandjudg-mentsfromwitnessingjudgmentspeoplehavemadeaboutme,theworkIdo,andthepeopleIhavesupported.EverydayIhaveanopportunitytolearnhowtobeabetteradvocateandeducateoth-ersaboutpeoplewithdisabilities.Forexample,IapplytheCodeofEthicstotheinteractionsIhavewiththepeopleIsupport.ImakesureIspeaktopeopleandnotatpeople.Iampurposefulaboutthedaybeingabouttheirgoals,needs,anddesires,andnotmyown.Iapplytheprinciplessimplybyrememberingtotreattheper-sonIamsupportingwithrespectanddignityineverysituationandencouragehisorhergrowthandhappiness.Itcanbedifficulttocomeout

ofthecaretakingroleandremem-berwearehelpingthepeoplewesupportliveself-directedlives.Itisimportantthatweadvocatefortheirneedsandwantsanden-

couragethemtobuildtheirownrelationships.ItisnotaboutusasDSPs;itisaboutthemandhowtheywanttobeengagedwiththeirlives,thecommunityaroundthemandtherelationshipstheychoosetobuildanddevelop.IthasbecomemydesireandpassiontohelpothersseethepeopleIamsupportingaswholepeople,notjusttheirdisabilities.Ihavelearnedtheimportance

ofbeingconnectedwithone’sowncommunity.Forexample,oneofthepeopleIhavesupported,Ray,wantedtovolunteerwiththeelderly.AsRayandIconnectedwiththeeldersinthecommunity,Raylearnedhowtoadvocateforhimself,buildnewfriendships,anddevelopvaluablesocialskills.SupportingRayandhelpinghimconnectwitheldersinthecom-munitywasarichexperienceforme.ImostenjoyedexperiencingcommunitymembersseeingRayforhimselfandnothisdisability.

More than just a paycheck

DS

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AsaDSPcommittedtotheCodeofEthics,Ireceivemuchmorethanmyweeklypaycheck.Iamengagedinworkthatisenrich-ing,rewarding,andlife-changing.LivingbytheCodeofEthicshaspositivelyimpactedhowIinteractwithothersinmypersonal,pro-fessionalandcommunitylife.Howcoolisthat?

Lori Raymond has had over twenty years experience working as a Direct Support Professional with children, adults and the elderly. She is currently working on her degree in Human Services, and is working to build a NH chapter for NADSP. She is currently raising five teenagers and is an activist for human rights. Lori can be reached at fitchick38@comcast.net.

How the Code has impacted my personal, professional, and community life

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Frontline InitiativeinterviewedCarrieVarnertolearnaboutherinsightsintotheNationalAllianceforDirectSupportProfessionals(NADSP)CodeofEthics.CarrieisanempoweringleaderintheSelf-AdvocacyMovement.SheservesasaBoardMemberofTheArcMinnesota,inadditiontoherworkwithAdvocatingChangeTogether(ACT)andtheSelfAdvo-catesMinnesota(SAM)Network.

How did you learn about the NADSP Code of Ethics?Carrie:IheardabouttheNADSPCodeofEthicsataconven-tionthatmyselfandthreeotherself-advocateshostedforvariousagenciesinSouthernMinnesota.Theconventionfocusedonhowtoimplementself-advocacyintotheircurriculumsandphilosophies.

Why do you think the Code of Ethics is important? Carrie:TheCodeisimportantbecauseDirectSupportProfes-sionals(DSPs)areheretohelpandassistpeoplewithdisabilitiestotheirfullestpotential.IftheCodewasn’tinplace,peoplewithdis-abilities,aswellasDSPs,couldbesubjectedtowidespreadfraud,abuse,andneglect.TheCodecan-notbeleftunchecked.

Why is it important to speak out about the Code of Ethics?Carrie:SpeakingoutabouttheCodeishuge.Likemanythingsintheworld,newideasandattitudesareconstantlyhappeninginthedisabilityfield.Weneedtospeak

outabouthowtheCodecanbeimplementedtobestaccommo-dateDSPsandindividualswhoreceivesupports.Atthesametime,weneedtomakecertainthatloopholesandbottlenecksdon’tbecomethenorm.ThesecancreateproblemsandobstaclesinapplyingtheCode.

How do you teach DSPs and self-advocates about the Code of Ethics? Carrie:IassistDSPsandself-advocatestolearnabouttheCodebytellingthemmystory.MystoryincludeswhathappenswhentheCodeisexploitedornotappliedatall.ThismakesmewanttobookthenextflighttoWashingtonDCtoadvocateforourcommunityandtheCode.IknowthatwhentheCodeisusedasit’sintended,DSPsandself-advocatesalikearemuchmoresuccessful.Itpromotesabetterqualityoflifeforeveryoneinvolved.

How do you know when a DSP is living by the Code of Ethics?Carrie:ADSPislivingbytheCodewhensheorheisrespectful.AlsowhenaDSPgoesaboveandbeyondwhatisaskedorexpected.Andimportantly,aDSPlivesbytheCodewhensheorhepro-motes,teaches,andencouragesself-advocacy.

A vital tool:

What would you tell a new DSP about the Code of Ethics?Carrie:IwouldtellanewDSPthattheCodeisavitaltoolforDSPsandclientsalike.However,ifit’sutilizedimproperlyornotatall,itwillleadtowidespreadabuseandneglectofthesystem.Thiscouldleadtopotentiallydevastatingconsequences.Byworkingto-gethertomaketheCodestron-ger,moreeffective,andbetterefficient,everyonewillbenefitinthelongrun.Thecommunitywillbenefitaswell.

Carrie is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities attain their human and civil rights on a local, state, national, and international level. She currently lives in Marshall, Minnesota and is looking at moving to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area to be closer to the action. Carrie can be reached at carriemv2001@yahoo.com.

Self-advocacy leader Carrie Varner shares insights on the Code of Ethics

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By Richard Cohen, Esq.

TheNationalAllianceforDirectSupportProfessionals(NADSP)CodeofEthicscapturesthemod-ernvaluesofthedisabilityrightsmovement.ThestandardsintheCoderepresentbestpractices.Manyhavebeenwidelyacceptedinthefieldforatleast40years.BelowaresomeexcerptsfromtheCode.WiththeseareexamplesofimportantmovementsthattheCodehasbeenbuiltupon.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) commit to person-cen-tered supports... focusingfirstontheperson.DSPsunderstandthattherolerequiresflexibilityandcreativity.Theserelatedprin-ciplescameaboutinthe1980s.Theyhaveformedtheessenceofperson-centeredplanning.

DSPs encourage growth and recognize the autonomy of individuals…whilebeingatten-tiveandenergetictoreducingtheirriskofharmby,amongotheractions,reportingallegedabuseorneglect.Theseprinciplesrepresentthelegalobligationtohelpprotectindividualsfromharm.Theyalsobalanceindividuals’“dignityofrisk.”Theseprinciplesdatebacktotheearly1970s.TheyhaveformedthebasisoflandmarkcasessuchasWillowbrookandRomeov.Youngberg.

DSPs consistently address challenging behaviors pro-actively, respectfully and by avoiding…aversiveordepriva-tion…techniques.In1981,TASHadoptedaresolutioncallingfortheremovalofaversiveanddeprivationpractices.Theresolu-tionadvocatedforpositiveap-

proachestochallengingbehaviors.Moreclinicalandscientificworkwasconductedinthisfield.Thisshowedtheeffectivenessofposi-tiveapproaches.Nowitisstan-dardtousefunctionalbehavioralassessment.

DSPs advocate with the people they support…includingfindingadditionaladvocacyservic-eswhenneeded.Theinitial1977Pennhurstcaseisaprimeexampleoftheimportanceofadvocacy.Thiscaseorderedthereplace-mentofa1200-personinstitu-tionwithcommunityservices.ItwasrequiredthateachPennhurstresidentbeassigneda“friend-advocate”.Thisraisedawarenessthatadvocacyhelpsmeetindividu-als’needsinthecommunity.Theimplementationofthe

CodeofEthicsprinciplesandtheirhistoricalcounterpartshavemovedmountains.Hundredsofinstitutionshaveclosed.Individu-alswithchallengingbehaviorsorhealthconditionsarelivinginthecommunities.Thelivesofmanypeoplehaveimproved.Despitethesestandards,in-

adequateservicesremain.TherecontinuestobeagapbetweenwhatiswritteninregulationsandtheCode,andwhathappens

inreality.Onereasonforthisisfunding.Forexample,inNewHampshireperpersonfundinghassteeplydeclinedfrom$75,000an-nuallyin1994to$29,000in2010(takingintoaccountinflation).TheimpacthasbeensignificantforDSPs.Workforcetraininghasbeensignificantlycut,andwageshaveremainedlow.Thereisanotherreasonforthe

gapbetweenwhatshouldide-allyhappenindirectsupportandreality.Thatisalackoffullorgani-zationalcommitmenttotheCodeofEthicsprinciples.Thiscancreateadilemmaforthewell-intendedandcommittedDSP.TheeffortsofDSPsareconsistentwiththeCodeinmanysituations.However,theotherpartsofthesystemmaynotfollowthroughinanethicalman-ner.Forexample,therewasonecasewhereaDSPtriedtoaddresspoorhousingconditions.TheDSPfiledanumberofincidentreports.TheDSPultimatelymadeare-portofneglecttothestateadultprotectiveserviceagency.Unfor-tunately,therecipientsofthosereportsfailedintheirresponsibil-ity.Theresultwasatragicfireinwhichapersonreceivingsupportsdied.Thisheartbreakingexample

furtheremphasizesthatitisessentialforeveryonetolivebytheCodeofEthics.ThisincludesbothDSPsandallthosewhoprovidesupportsandservices.Thelivesandwell-beingofourfellowcitizensdependonit.

Richard Cohen, Esq. is the Executive Director of the Disabilities Rights Center of New Hampshire. He can be reached at RichardC@drcnh.org.

Policy initiative

Continuing the tradition of bridging gapsWhy the Code applies to everyone in policy and services

The implementation

of the Code of Ethics

principles and their

historical counterparts

have moved mountains.

10

Developed By Marianne Taylor, Julie Silver, Amy Hewitt, and Derek Nord

Adapted By Annie Johnson Sirek

What is an ethical dilemma?Anethicaldilemmarequiresaper-sontodefinerightfromwrong.But,asDirectSupportProfession-als(DSPs),weknowthatthisisnotsosimple.Wefacedifficultdecisionsinourdailypractice.Thereareoftenmanydifferentrules,principles,andopinionsatplay.Wearecalledtorespondinallegiancetotheindividualswesupport.TheNationalAllianceforDirectSupportProfessionals(NADSP)CodeofEthicsprovidesaroadmaptoassistinresolvingethi-caldilemmas.

How do I resolve ethical dilemmas? Ethicaldilemmascanberesolvedthrougheffectivedecision-making.Sincewearesooftencalledupontomakeindependentjudgments,itisimportanttoincorporatetheNADSPCodeofEthicswithinourdailypractice.Manyethicaldilemmascanberesolvedeasilywithconsultationandreflection.However,someissuescannot.Therefore,tohelpmakeiteasiertosolvedifficultethicaldilemmas,consideraframeworkfromwhichtowork.TheCollegeofDirectSupporthasprovidedanapproachtoethicaldecision-makingwiththeNADSPCodeofEthics.ThisiscalledtheRIGHTDecisionMethod.

What is the RIGHT Decision Method? Sometimestherereallyisa“right”waytomakedecisionsunderdifficultconditions.TheRIGHTDecisionMethodgivesustoolstomakesoundethicaldecisionsandresolveethicaldilemmas.RIGHTisanacronymthatstandsforeachstepofthedecision-makingprocess:

R: Recognize the ethical dilemma.

Thefirststepisrecognizingtheconflictingobligationsandclearlystatingthedilemma.Itisimpor-tanttorecognizeandusetheNADSPCodeofEthicsasyoubeginwiththisstep.Youmayconsider—

•InwhatwaysistheCodeofEth-icsapplicabletothisissue?

I: Identify points of view.

Thesecondstepisidentifyingpointsofviewinthesituation.Thismeansconsideringtheviewpointofthepersonreceivingservices,yourcolleagues,otherpartiesinvolved,andtheNADSPCodeofEthics.Restatingtheproblemclearlytosomeoneelsecanalsohelpyoucheckoutwhetheryouhaveinterpretedthesituationac-curately.Itisimportanttounder-standhowthepersonreceivingsupportsfeels.Consider—

•Whatdoesthepersonreceivingsupportexpect?

•Thenthinkaboutotherswhoareinvolvedinthesituationandhowtheyfeel.

•Whatdotheseindividualswantorneed?

The RIGHT Decision MethodAn approach for solving ethical dilemmas

Tra

inin

g

RIGHT Decision Method

R Recognize the ethical dilemma.

I Identify points of view.

G Gather resources and assistance.

H Have a plan.

T Take action based on ethical standards.

Continuedonpage10

11

The RIGHT Decision MethodG: Gather resources and assistance.

Thethirdstepisgatheringre-sourcesandassistancethatmighthelpyoufigureoutwhattodo.Nowthatyouhaveanaccurateunderstandingfortheproblemandvariousperspectives,thisstepencouragesyoutoconsiderotherpeoplewhomaybeabletoassistyou.Youmayalsoneedtofindimportantinformation.Forexample—

•Arethereagencypoliciesthatcouldbeconsidered?Whatdothesedocumentssay?Arethereanylawsorregulationsinthestatethatmayinfluenceyourdecision-making?

•Isthisasituationwherelegalad-viceisneeded?Doesthepersonhavealegalrepresentativewhomustbeinvolved?

•Aretherecommunityresourcesthatmighthelpresolvetheproblem?

H: Have a plan.

Thefourthstepmeansthatyouarereadytomakeyourdecision.Formulatingaplanwillhelpyoudecidethebestwaytoputyourideasintoaction.Onceyouhaveconsideredthefollowingissues,writeaplandownandidentifystep-by-stepactionsthatyouplantotake—

•Whommustyouspeaktofirst?Whatwillyousay?Whatprepa-rationswillyoumake?

•Whatstepscanyoutaketoen-surethebestpossibleoutcomeforyourdecision?

•Howmightpeoplereact?

T: Take action based on ethical standards.

Thefifthandfinalstepisimple-mentingtheplanyoudevelopedinthemanneryoudecided.Then,itisimportanttomonitoritssuc-cessusingthesuccessindicatorsyouidentifiedintheplanning

processtohelpyoureflectonyourdecision—

•Whatworkedwellandwhy?

•Whatdidnotworkwellandwhy?

•Whatwouldyoudodifferentlyafteryouhaveevaluatedyouroutcomes?

Reference

Taylor,M.,Silver,J.,Hewitt,A.,&Nord,D.(2006).Applyingethicsineverydaywork(Lesson3),College of Direct Support course: Direct support professionalism(Revision2).DirectCourse:http://direct-courseonline.com/directsupport/

Annie Johnson Sirek, MSW, is a Project Coordinator at the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. She thanks Marianne and Julie of the Human Services Research Institute, and Amy and Derek of the University of Minnesota, for developing this method to use in daily practice and training. She can be reached at joh02055@umn.edu.

Course 11:

Direct Support Professionalism

Lesson 3:

Applying Ethics in Everyday Work

12

LastspringacontingentfromtheNationalAllianceforDirectSup-portProfessionals(NADSP)wenttoWashingtonD.C.tospeakwiththeAdministrationonDevelop-mentalDisabilities(ADD)regard-ingthefutureofthefieldofdirectsupport.TheycamearmedwithinformationandmaterialsaboutthenextgreatthingsforDirectSupportProfessionals(DSPs);collegedegrees,nationalcreden-tialing;recognitionandawards;apprenticeshipprogramsandthelike.Turnsout,whatADDwantedtodiscusswasnotnextthings,butfirstthings.Thequestionposedwas,“How

canwecelebratetheadvance-mentofdirectsupportwhenyoucan’tevenkeepourlovedonessafe?”Therehasbeenanoutbreak

ofmistreatment,neglect,andexploitation,or,unprecedented

attentiontoalongstandingproblem;youdecide.Elevenyearsago,NADSPdevelopedaCodeofEthics.Overtheyears,individuals,organizations,policymakers,andfieldsofstudyhaveadoptedtheCode.AsisstatedinthePre-amble,“Thereisnootherpositiontodayinwhichethicalpracticeandstandardsaremoreimportantthandirectsupport.”DSPsholdlivesintheirhands.NADSP’schallengetoDSPs

istodo the right thing even when no one is looking.Tohelppromotethischallenge,NADSPnowoffersCodeofEthicsbrace-lets.DSPscanusethemtodeclaretheircharacter,tomakeastate-mentabouttheirvalues,andtakeastandagainstmistreatment,neglect,andexploitation.Organi-zationshavenumerouswaystheycanusetheCodeofEthicsbrace-letstorecognizeexcellenceinthemostimportantmembersoftheir

First things first

organization—

•Catchsomeonedoingtherightthing,andrewardhimorherwiththematchingCodeofEthicsbracelet.

•Employeesofthemonth,quarter,year.

•Letfamilymembersandpersonsbeingsupportedawardbracelets.

•SetupbenchmarksforyourDSPstoearnbracelets.

•Createvalueinstrivingtoearnallninebracelets.

NADSPalsooffersCodeofEthicspostersandhandouts,andtechnicalassistancetoembedtheCodeinyourorganization.Gotonadsp.org/library/code-of-ethics.htmlformoreinformation.Let’stakecareoffirstthingsfirst!

Lisa Burck, MPA, MEd, is President of NADSP. She can be reached at lisaburck@bellsouth.net.

Doing the right thing when no one is looking

NADSPhasdevelopedanin-tensive,one-daytrainingpro-gramandwillvisityourorgani-zationtoinspire,energizeandeducateyouremployeeswhilemakingtheCodeofEthicsun-derstandableandfun.Whiletheday’sdiscussionswillcenterondirectsupportpractice,alllevelsofyourorganizationwouldbenefitfromunderstandingtheethicalre-sponsibilitiesinsupportingpeoplewithdisabilities.Yourorganizationwillexperi-

ence—

•Thefiveelementsofanyprofes-sion—includingdirectsupport.

•ACodeofEthicsencounter—Anengaginginteractiveroleplaythatrequirestheaudiencetothinkquicklyandethically.

•Afacilitateddiscussionthatexplorestheethicalencoun-tersthatyourDSPshaveexperi-encedduringtheircareers.

•Smallgroupsessionstodecon-structtheCodeofEthicsandconnectitstenetstopersonalexperiencesandcompetencyareas.

•Arecorded,largegroupexercisethatconnectsthe“relevance”andapplicationoftheCodeofEthicstoday-to-dayactivities.

•Acommitmentceremony—AttestationtotheNADSPCodeofEthicsandwrap-up.

Pleasevisitourhomepageatwww.nadsp.orgtolearnmore.

Joe Macbeth is Executive Director of NADSP, he can be reached at jmacbeth@nadsp.org.

John Raffaele, LMSW, is a DSP educator and trainer, he can be reached through

http://johnraffaele.org/.

A one day exploration into the Code of Ethics

Current NADSP initiativesNADSP Code of Ethics

13

Book: Make a Difference: A Guidebook for Person-Centered Direct Support By John O’Brien & Beth Mount

Thisuser-friendlybookguidesDSPsinrelationshipbuilding,planningwithpeopleinaperson-centeredway,supportingchoice,&buildingcommunityinclusion.Thisbookalsopromotesthediscoveryofmeaningintheworkofofferingdirectsupportandencouragesreflectiononday-to-daypracticetoguideself-improvement.

Voices from the Frontlines III: Advancing the Profession of Direct SupportContact: New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies: nysacra@nysacra.org; (518) 449-7551 (phone)

ThisbookletpresentsthirteenvignettesillustratingdilemmasthathavebeenencounteredbyDSPs.FollowingeachvignettearediscussionpointsdesignedtoguideparticipantsinapplyingideasfromtheProfessionalCompetencyStandardsandCodeofEthicsthathavebeendevelopedbytheNationalAssociationofDirectSupportProfessionalstoadvancethestatureoftheworkdonebyDSPs.ThisbookletissetupasatrainingtoolforDSPs,andcanbedownloadedatnocostfromthepublisher’swebsite.

College of Direct SupportCourse 11: Direct Support Professionalism (Revision 2); Lesson 3: Applying Ethics in Everyday Work

http://www.collegeofdirectsupport.com

Taylor,M.,Silver,H.,Hewitt,A.,Nord,D.,O’Nell,S.&Sauer,J.(2006).Minneapolis,MN:UniversityofMinnesota,InstituteonCommunityIntegration,ResearchandTrainingCenteronCommunityLiving.

Frontline Initiative archiveshttps://nadsp.org/communication/frontline-initiative/9-communications/100-frontline-initiative-archives.html

•2001-Volume4,Number4,IssueonEthics

•1999-Volume3,Number4,TributetoJohnF.Kennedy,Jr.

Frontlineresources

NADSPmembership form

DSP level $10/year

❏ DSP

Other individual level $20/year

If your state has a NADSP chapter, you will receive dual membership in the state

chapter and NADSP.

❏ Frontline supervisor ❏ Self-advocate ❏ Family member

❏ Other professional (pleasespecify)_______________________________

Affiliate level $200/year

Forindividuals,agencies,providers,associations,andNADSPstatechapterswhowishtodemonstrateacommitmenttosupporttheeffortsofDSPs.

❏ Individual ❏ Organization

Supporting organization level $500/year

ForindividualsandorganizationsdedicatedtoadvancingtheinterestsofDSPsandthepeopletheysupportatanationallevel.

❏ Individual ❏ Organization

Sponsoring organization level $2000

ForindividualsandorganizationsdedicatedtoadvancingdirectsupportasanacceptedprofessionatthenationallevelandparticipationontheNADSPAdvisoryCommittee.

❏ Individual ❏ Organization

Total enclosed

MakecheckspayabletoNADSP.Topaybycreditcard,visitwww.nadsp.org/membership (Discountsarenotavailablewithonlinepayment)

Mail membership form and payment to: NADSP,240WashingtonAve.Ext.,Suite501,Albany,NY12203-0305

________________________________________________________________________________ Name

________________________________________________________________________________ Organization

________________________________________________________________________________Address

________________________________________________________________________________CityStateZip

________________________________________________________________________________Phone

________________________________________________________________________________Email

14

organizations, state chapters and contactsNADSP supporting & affiliate

• HeinzerlingFoundation,Inc.• JeffersonRehabilitationCenter• JohnRaffaeleEducationalSupportforDSPs• KoinoniaHomes,Inc.•MercyHome•NewHopeCommunity• NewHorizonsResources,Inc.• NYSARC,Inc.--OrangeCountyChapter(OCAHRC)

•OHI(Maine)•OpportunityEnterprises,Inc.• PathfinderServices,Inc.• TheResourceCenter• RenaissanceHouse,Inc.• RHC-TheResidentHome• SCOFamilyofServices• SECOH• SpecialPeopleinNortheast,Inc.(SPIN,Inc.)• StoneBeltARC,Inc.

Affiliate organizations: $200 level• ACLD•AdvocatingChangeTogether,Inc.• ARCBroward• TheArcofCalifornia• TheArcofSomersetCounty• TheArcofSouthside,VA• TheArcofSteuben• BlockInstitute• BonaVistaPrograms,Inc.• CardinalMcCloskeyServices• CommunityResidences,Inc.• CommunitySupportServices,Inc.

WewouldliketoacknowledgeNADSPSupport-ingOrganizationmembersfortheirgenerosityandongoingdedicationtothegoalsandmissionofNADSP.

Sponsoring organizations: $2000 level• AmericanNetworkofCommunityOptionsandResources(ANCOR)

• CrystalRunVillage,Inc.• NYSARC,Inc.• NYSACRA• Rise,Inc.• TheResearch&TrainingCenterattheUniversityofMinnesota

•WelcomeHouse,Inc.

Supporting organizations: $500 level• TheAdirondackArc• TheArcOtsego• TheArcofSchuylerCounty• ApplePatchCommunity,Inc.• BeyondAbilities,LLC• Bost,Inc.• ButlerCo.BoardofDevelopmentalDisabilities• CardinalServices,Inc.• CatholicCharitiesDisabilitiesServices• TheCenterforFamilySupport• CerebralPalsyAssociationofNewYorkState• COARC•CreativeFoundations,Inc.•GMRExceptionalCare,Inc.•GraceCommunityServices• EmbracingAutism,Inc.• HawaiiWaiverProvidersAssociation• HeartshareHumanServicesofNewYork

• ConnectionsofMoorhead• TheCouncilonQualityandLeadership(CQL)• CUNYSchoolofProfessionalStudies• DeltaProjects,Inc.• DevelopmentalDisabilitiesInstitute• DianeMcComb• EgglestonServices,Inc.• TheEmmausCommunityofPittsburgh• TheEpilepsyFoundationofLongIsland,Inc.• HeritageChristianServices• HopewellCenter,Inc.• IrwinSiegelAgency,Inc.• JobPath,Inc.• LauraBakerServicesAssociation• Life’sWORC•Mat-SuServicesforChildrenandAdults•MiamiCerebralPalsyResidentialServiceInc.•OpportunitiesUnlimited,Inc.•Outcomes,Inc.• ParenttoParentofNYS• Passages,Inc.• PresbyterianHomesandFamilyServices• RainbowofChallenges,Inc.• RTCMedia• RuralLivingEnvironments,Inc.• St.AmantCommunityResidentialProgram• Self-AdvocacyAssociationofNewYorkState• SevenCountiesServices• SpauldingSupportServices• SPEAK,Inc.•WesternNewYorkTrainingConsortium•WestSideSupportServices,LLC.

State chapters and contactsAsamembershiporganiza-tion,NADSPrequirestheinvolvementofitsmemberstoshareinformationonDSPissues,achievementsanddi-rections.Chaptersandcon-tactsdothisimportantworkinconcertwithNADSP.WeencouragetheinvolvementandparticipationofDSPsinleadershiprolesatboththelocalandnationallevels.

Arizona DSPsofArizonaMichelleNoedsp@dsparizona.comwww.dsparizona.org

Arkansas VanessaSmithSmithVanessaL@uams.edu

California, TonyAndersonTheArcofCaliforniatony@thearcca.org

Connecticut KristineE.Fosskfoss@abilitybeyonddisabil-ity.org

Florida FloridaAllianceforDSPscswilley@floridaarf.org

Georgia GeorgiaAllianceofDSPsJoyEasonHopkinsjoyeasonhopkins@gmail.comwww.gadsp.com

Illinois IllinoisDSPsDawnKelloggidsprotim@idspros.orgwww.idspros.org

Indiana DSPINShannonGilbertsgilbert.mail@gmail.com

Kansas KathyStifflerKLStiffler@rsskansas.org

KentuckySPEAKBethRichardsonbrichardson@councilondd.org

Louisiana NancyRobertson504.942.8289

MaineMEDSPJeniferAdams207.989.4007ext210

MarylandGinaMcDonaldGmcdonald@nhssi.org

Michigan MichiganAllianceofDSPs(MADSP)MichaelBraymikebray@wayne.eduwww.ddi.wayne.edu/michi-gan_alliance.php

Minnesota DSPAssociationofMinnesota(DSPAM)DonaldKrutsinger,PresidentminnesotaDSPAM@yahoo.com

Mississippi SupportProfessionalsAdvocatingforRealQualityofLifeforEveryone(SPARQLE)LisaBurcklburck@nadsp.org

Missouri DSPsofMissouriDonCarrickdcarrick@nadsp.org

Nebraska NDSPNMaryLawsonNebraskadsps@gmail.com

New HampshireRobinCarlsoncarlet@metrocast.net

New Jersey ColleenMcLaughlinColleen.mclaughlin@umdnj.edu

New Mexico www.nmdirectsupport.org

New York DSPAllianceofNewYorkState(DSPANYS)MichaelTuggeytuggeyadk@yahoo.comdirectsupportprofessional.org

Ohio OhioAllianceofDSPs(OADSP)ScottOsterfeldsosterfeld@cinci.rr.comwww.oadsp.org

Oklahoma DSPsofOklahoma(DSP-OK)PatriciaRostprost@epmi.orgDianePottsdpotts@tulsacc.edu

PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaAllianceforDSPs(PADSP)ErnestGibsonpadsps@gmail.com

Tennessee DSPsofTennesseeSusanJakoblewTheArcofTennesseesjakoblew@thearctn.orgwww.dspat.org

Texas RichardE.GarnettTheIntellectual&DevelopmentalDisabilitiesNeedsCouncilofTarrantCounty817.877.1474

Virginia AmandaPanulinepanuline.amanda@egglestonservices.org

Mem

ber

orga

niza

tions

, sta

te c

hapt

ers,

and

cont

acts

15

•“IsD.C.neglectingneglect?”(Washington City Paper,Wash-ington,DC,May27,2011)

•“Disabilityworkersrarelypros-ecutedforviolence”(Texas Tri-bune,Texas,January20,2010)

•“Fundingforgrouphomespulledafterabuse”(The Dayto-na Beach News Journal,Florida,April15,2011)

InNewYorkState,andun-doubtedlyelsewhere,thesearticleshaveledtocallsforreform.Re-formthatincludesbetterreportingofabuse;betterinvestigationofreports;increasedinvolvementoflawenforcementauthorities;andswifteradministrativeandcriminalactionagainstthoseresponsibleforabuse.Inthehistoryofhumanser-

vices,betheyinstitutionallyorcommunitybased,abuseisnotnew.Improvingeffortstoidentifyabuse,investigateit,andweedoutperpetratorsthroughim-provedadministrativeandcriminalactionisgood.Butitisalsolikeclosingthebarndoorafterthehorsehasbolted.Anewremedythatpreventsor

reducesthelikelihoodofabusefromoccurringinthefirstplaceiswhat’sneeded.Universaladher-encetoNADSP’sCodeofEthicsoffersjustthat.Abusecomesinmanyforms.

Formost,thetermbringsupim-agesofbrutalacts.Butabusealsohappensunderlesssinistersitu-ations.AbusecanhappenwhenDSPsareputinsituationsforwhichtheyarenotwelltrained,whentheyareaskedtodomorethanishumanlypossible,orwheninstressfulsituationswithoutanyassistance.Unfortunatelytherearemanysituationsthatcantooeasilyturnintooneofneglector

Cover story continuedfrompage1

abuse.ThisisaproblemthatislargerthanjusttheDSP,andmustbeaddressedasasharedrespon-sibility.Nonetheless,DSPsarethe

directlinktotheindividual.Foramoment,considerjustseveralofthetenetsofNADSP’sCodeofEthics(refertopage16forabriefoverviewoftheCode;thefulltextoftheNADSP’sCodeofEthicscanbefoundontheNADSPwebsite:https://www.nadsp.org/library/code-of-ethics/10-library/72-code-of-ethics-full-text.html)ConsiderwhataDSPwhosub-

scribestothisCodewoulddoifheorshewitnessesafellowstaffendangeringanindividual.HowaboutaDSPwhoisinasitua-tionforwhichsheorhewasnotproperlytrained,oraskedtodosomethingthatisnotpossible?WhatwouldtheCodedemandthatsheorhedo?

If you are a DSP, have you pledged to live by the Code?

If you are a program manager or administrator, will you provide DSPs with the opportunity to learn, practice and live the Code?

If you are a self-advocate or family member, will you require that those providing supports know and live by the Code?

RecentnewshascreatedtheopportunityforDSPstochangethecourseofhumanservicehis-tory.ThischangewillhappenbyembracingandlivingtheCodeofEthics.IfyouareaDSP,haveyou

pledgedtolivebytheCode?Ifyouareaprogrammanager

oradministrator,willyouprovideDSPswiththeopportunitytolearn,practiceandlivetheCode?Ifyouareaself-advocateor

familymember,willyourequirethatthoseprovidingsupportsknowandlivebytheCode?Byembracingaperson-cen-

teredCodeofEthicswecanseizetheopportunitytoendabuse.

Tom Harmon is a consultant at the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA), and can be reached at tomh@nysacra.org.

16

Frontline InitiativeP.O.Box9369St.Paul,MN55109

Person centered planningMyfirstallegianceistothepersonIsupport;allotherdutiesandfunctionsIperformflowfromthisallegiance.

Promoting physical and emotional well-beingIamresponsibleforsupportingtheemotional,physical,andpersonalwell-beingoftheindividualsreceivingsupports.Iwillencouragegrowthandrecognizetheautonomyoftheindividualsreceivingsupportwhilebeingattentiveandenergeticinreducingtheirriskofharm.

Integrity and responsibilityIwillsupportthemissionandvitalityofmyprofessiontoassistpeopleinleadingself-directedlivesandtofosteraspiritofpartnershipwiththepeopleIsupport,otherprofessionals,andthecommunity.

ConfidentialityIwillsafeguardandrespecttheconfidentialityandprivacyofthepeopleIsupport.

Justice, fairness, & equityIwillpromoteandpracticejustice,fairness,andequityforthepeopleIsupportandthecommunityasawhole.Iwillaffirmthehumanrights,civilrightsandresponsibilitiesofthepeopleIsupport.

Code ofEthics

National Alliance forDirect Suppport Professionals

RespectIwillrespectthehumandignityanduniquenessofthepeopleIsupport.IwillrecognizeeachpersonIsupportasvaluableandhelpothersunderstandtheirvalue.

RelationshipsIwillassistthepeopleIsupporttodevelopandmaintainrelationships.

Self-determinationIwillassistthepeopleIsupporttodirectthecourseoftheirownlives.

AdvocacyIwilladvocatewiththepeopleIsupportforjustice,inclusion,andfullcommunityparticipation.