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 self-directed 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

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

Cost $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 Person-Centered

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 membershipa) Generate at least 20 members by February 2008b) 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