Saturday, May 19 2007

Creating a GalaxyOf

Direct Support Stars

Presenters

Rita McAninch-HastingsMuhannah S. Kakish

Nathan Perry

Photos from ICI-U of MN video, Direct Support: A Realistic Job Preview (2005)

This is what self advocates say they want from DSPs:

We want DSPs to treat us like other people

We want programs thatencourage us to dothings outside our homes

We want assistance inlocating accessibletransportation and learning how to use it.

Summary adapted from Impact: Feature issue on direct support staff

This is what self advocates say they want from DSPs:

We want programs that offer choices

We want to be involved in decisions that affect us and to take responsibility for those decisions

We want DSPs that encourage us to speakfor ourselves

We want those who provide services to view and treat us as valuable competent people

We want staff members to treat us with respect and dignity, to encourage personal choice and independence

The bottom line is:

ExcellenceIn DirectSupport Practice

ExcellenceIn

Services

Workshop Goals

Identify elements that acknowledge direct support work as profession.

Describe what some organizations and states are doing to enhance professionalization for DSPs

Describe the NADSP Code of Ethics.Apply the Code to Practical Situations.

A New Vision: Direct Support as a Profession

The Direct Support Professional Assists participants to lead self-

directed lives, contributing to their community.

Encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance inclusion in their community.

What is a profession?

What makes a profession?Field of knowledgeRequired training/updating of knowledge

and skillsCredentialing which includes testingProfessional associationMembers sanction other membersEthical practice standards

Whazz-Up in the

Direct Support Profession?

National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals

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.

http://www.nadsp.org

NADSP Moving Mountain Commitment

Shape conditions of employment to enable DSPs to sustain themselves and their families

Promote ethical practice in Direct support

Value and empower DSPs Ensure continuity and

quality of support Develop career focus for

DSPs

Frontline Initiative

National Publication DSP Board of Editors Written by DSP Topics for DSPs

Legislative Advocacy DSP Roles Ethics Teamwork Credentialing Diversity

D-SPAT: Direct Support Professional Association of TN 2004 Moving Mountains Award Winner

VICTORY – Meeting monthly with State DD Director

Alliances with 25 agencies, and organizations.

Designed survey of 8,500+ DSPs Designed marketing brochure and

membership card. Conducted regional DSP focus

groups and training sessions. Awarded operating grant funds from

the TN DD Council 50 DSP members and 20 D-SPAT

“friends.” Officers completed Leadership and

Management Development Training Program.

OH – PATHS: Professional Advancement through

Training and Education in Human Services 2004 Moving Mountains Award Winner

Provide meaningful career pathways

Enhance role & recognition of DSPs

Keep people on the job longer Update support skills Improve quality of training &

educational opportunities for DSPs

Improve quality & outcomes Keep the promise of quality

and continuity

Certificate of Initial Proficiency in Direct Support

Certificate of Advanced Proficiency in Direct Support

Registration

2

3

Certificate of Specialized Skill and Knowledge

1

4

PATHS: Professional Advancement throughTraining and Education in Human Services

(Ohio)

Person Centered Planning Positive Behavior Support Direct Support Supervision Program / Habilitation Manager

D S P A MMission

Promoting the developmentOf a highly competent and

Professional human servicesWorkforce, that supportsIndividuals in achieving

Their life goals.

Who are we and what do we do? DSPAM

Learn

Support

Achieve

Through ongoing education Provide higher quality services

Develop new career path Strengthen partnerships between stakeholdersPromote system reform (compensation)

Professional status and recognition Improve quality of life for individuals servedIncreased levels of tenure to promote stability in the work force

DSPAM AccomplishmentDevelop structure of the community support

program Assisted with the development of Frontline

Supervisors Curriculum Supported NADSP in the Development of the

code of EthicsAuthored Minnesota Direct Support

Incentives ProposalProvide Oversight for grant related to DSPs

1st AnnualDSPAM

Conference &Awards Banquet

Broadening Horizons

Experience a Powerful Day

To help change

Your job into a Career!

One Day

Training Hours

Meet others in the field

Networking

Code of Ethics Training

DSPAM Presents

The Missing Component!

ETH IC S

What are some examples of ethical dilemmas you have

faced in direct support work?

NADSP Code of Ethics

How were they developed? Initial focus groups with DSPs, families, consumers

and managers/administrators (MN, TN, MA, MO, NY) Survey in Frontline Initiative (120 responses) Conducted a national two-day workshop in D.C. of

which about 60% were DSPs to draft structure and initial Code

NADSP membership edited and reviewed National validation effort

Written survey Workshops

What are they about?

Broad Areas Person Centered

Supports Promoting Physical and

Emotional Well-Being Integrity &

Responsibility Confidentiality

Justice, Fairness & Equity

Respect Relationships Self-Determination Advocacy

How are they structured?

Preamble Ethical Statements

1. Person-Centered Supports As a DSP my first allegiance is to the person I support; all other

activities and functions I perform flow from this allegiance. Interpretive statements

As a Direct Support Professional, I will: Recognize that each person must direct his or her own life and

support and that the unique social network, circumstances, personality, preferences, needs and gifts of each person I support must be the primary guide for the selection, structure, and use of supports for that individual.

Commit to person-centered supports as best practice.

Application of the COE toReal Life Scenarios

Small Group Work

Tasks to Accomplish

What is your group’s consensus about the best way(s) to handle the situation?

In what ways were the Standards and the Interpretive Statements Useful/helpful?

Group Work

Tasks Feedback

What was your scenarioWhat is your group’s consensus about the

best way(s) to handle the situation?

How did you apply the COE to accomplish your outcome?

What’s one thing you can do right now to promote the NADSP

Code of Ethics in your organization?

What strategies canyour organization use to

adopt and usingadopt and using THE CODE of ETHICS?

What will you do when you go back to work to enhance the

professionalization of DSPs in your organization or state?

Thank YouFor Support and

Guidance

Nancy PetersonARRM

Kellie MillerNagelSouth Central College, CSP

Crown Plaza HotelSt. Paul, MN

John SauerInstitute on Community Integration,

University of Minnesota

Connie Burkhart Institute on Community Integration,

University of Minnesota

ARRM

Mark OlsonArc Greater Twin Cities

Dakota Communities, Inc.

Arc Greater Twin Cities

Working On Life’s Fulfillment, Inc.

Ruvelson & Kautzer

Chartered

Institute on Community Integration,

University of Minnesota

For more information on DSPAM or on the

Broadening Horizons ConferenceContact:

DSPAMMinnesotaDSPAM@yahoo.com

Or call 651-789-0031

To order copies of theNADSP Code of EthicsContact:

Institute on Community IntegrationUniversity of Minnesota109 Pattee Hall150 Pillsbury Drive S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455

Or call:612-624-6328