The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Recognized Seven Direct Support Professionals with Awards

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Recognized Seven Direct Support Professionals with Awards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR RELEASE

 

 

 

CONTACT: Bridget Siljander

 

DSPAM Co-Chair

 

612.272.0281

 

bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Recognized Seven Direct Support Professionals with Awards

 

 

 

(September 20, 2012) – Every year, the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) commemorates National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which recently took place September 9-15, 2012. It is a special week to honor direct support professionals that began with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). From ANCOR’s website (www.ancor.org): “The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) is pleased to announce that yesterday (09/12/2012), for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating the week beginning September 9 as ‘National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.’” DSPAM requested a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton, which was granted, proclaiming “Direct Support Professionals Week” in Minnesota.

 

This year, at a recognition event at the Southdale Library in Edina on Saturday, September 15, 2012, DSPAM presented awards and certificates in two categories to seven direct support professionals: Direct Support Professional of the Year and Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year.

 

 

 

Award Winners:

 

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year: Galen Smith of Opportunity Partners

 

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Lisa Evenson of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

 

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Mike Maxson of Rural Living Environments

 

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Laurel Kaercher of Aspen Employment Partners

 

Certificate Recipients:

 

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year: Alicia Munson of Opportunity Partners

 

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Melanie Freiermuth of Opportunity Partners

 

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Shane Ausprey of Opportunity Partners

 

The DSPAM selection committee made its decisions based on criteria in three areas: compliance with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics, commitment (e.g. years of service), and quality of support services. Every candidate for an award was outstanding. Each of the seven extraordinary direct support professionals is a model of excellence in direct support and represents the highest level of professional competence. They all promote independence, quality of life, and equality for the people with disabilities they serve. And, they all deserve our respect and recognition.

 

For more information about the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota, visit our website at www.dspam.org, send an email to bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com, or call 612.272.0281.

 

 

 

 

(September 20, 2012) – Every year, the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) commemorates National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which recently took place September 9-15, 2012. It is a special week to honor direct support professionals that began with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). From ANCOR’s website (www.ancor.org): “The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) is pleased to announce that yesterday (09/12/2012), for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating the week beginning September 9 as ‘National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.’” DSPAM requested a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton, which was granted, proclaiming “Direct Support Professionals Week” in Minnesota.

This year, at a recognition event at the Southdale Library in Edina on Saturday, September 15, 2012, DSPAM presented awards and certificates in two categories to seven direct support professionals: Direct Support Professional of the Year and Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year.

 

Award Winners:

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year: Galen Smith of Opportunity Partners

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Lisa Evenson of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Mike Maxson of Rural Living Environments

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Laurel Kaercher of Aspen Employment Partners

Certificate Recipients:

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year: Alicia Munson of Opportunity Partners

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Melanie Freiermuth of Opportunity Partners

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Shane Ausprey of Opportunity Partners

The DSPAM selection committee made its decisions based on criteria in three areas: compliance with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics, commitment (e.g. years of service), and quality of support services. Every candidate for an award was outstanding. Each of the seven extraordinary direct support professionals is a model of excellence in direct support and represents the highest level of professional competence. They all promote independence, quality of life, and equality for the people with disabilities they serve. And, they all deserve our respect and recognition.

For more information about the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota, visit our website at www.dspam.org, send an email to bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com, or call 612.272.0281.

 

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Recognized Seven Direct Support Professionals with Awards

 

 

 The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Recognized Seven Direct Support Professionals with Awards

 

(September 20, 2012) – Every year, the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) commemorates National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which recently took place September 9-15, 2012. It is a special week to honor direct support professionals that began with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). From ANCOR’s website (www.ancor.org): “The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) is pleased to announce that yesterday (09/12/2012), for the fifth consecutive year, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating the week beginning September 9 as ‘National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.’” DSPAM requested a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton, which was granted, proclaiming “Direct Support Professionals Week” in Minnesota.

This year, at a recognition event at the Southdale Library in Edina on Saturday, September 15, 2012, DSPAM presented awards and certificates in two categories to seven direct support professionals: Direct Support Professional of the Year and Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year.

 

Award Winners:

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year: Galen Smith of Opportunity Partners

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Lisa Evenson of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Mike Maxson of Rural Living Environments

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Laurel Kaercher of Aspen Employment Partners

Certificate Recipients:

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year: Alicia Munson of Opportunity Partners

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Melanie Freiermuth of Opportunity Partners

Direct Support Professional of the Year: Shane Ausprey of Opportunity Partners

The DSPAM selection committee made its decisions based on criteria in three areas: compliance with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics, commitment (e.g. years of service), and quality of support services. Every candidate for an award was outstanding. Each of the seven extraordinary direct support professionals is a model of excellence in direct support and represents the highest level of professional competence. They all promote independence, quality of life, and equality for the people with disabilities they serve. And, they all deserve our respect and recognition.

For more information about the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota, visit our website at www.dspam.org, send an email to bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com, or call 612.272.0281.

 

DSP Recognition Event Southdale Library

			Mission: DSPAM is dedicated to the development of a highly competent and professional human services workforce by supporting and working together with Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), self advocates, families, and allies.

 

DSP Recognition Event 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Southdale Library

7001 York Ave. S.
Edina, 55435

 

DSPAM is presenting awards in two categories (DSP of the Year and DSP Advocate of the Year) to recognize the outstanding contributions of DSPs working with people with disabilities.

DSPAM’s Annual DSP Recognition Event:  Honoring Commitments offers the opportunity for direct support professionals to be recognized and celebrated. The event will take place during National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 9-15, 2012).
All are welcome, including children.  Your participation, along with the participation of others in the disability and aging communities, is critical to demonstrate our unity and support of each other.

Please share this message with your family, friends, and colleagues.

If you would like to spread the word in a flyer format, just copy and paste this information into a document and print.

If you have any questions, send an email to bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com. If you have questions, you may call 612-272-0281.

Celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!! September 9th – 15th, 2012

Celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!!

September 9th – 15th, 2012

 

Once again, NADSP has joined with ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign in sponsoring National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, beginning September 9, 2012. This is a great opportunity for organizations and communities to honor the direct support workforce and the tremendous difference they make each day in the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. Here are some ways to Celebrate DSP Recognition Week:

Join the NADSP and your State Chapter

• Promote the direct support profession by helping your DSPs  join their professional membership organization (NADSP) with a $10.00, one year membership!
• Join on-line or download and print a membership form.
• To register a large group of your direct support professionals, use our Group Enrollment spreadsheet.

 

Other Ways to Recognize Direct Support Professionals

• Hold a staff appreciation lunch, barbeque or ice cream social.
• Have executive and management staff work side-by-side a DSP for a day. Learn what they do and ask them questions about their work.
• Recognize “Excellence in Direct Support Practice” and give examples and formal recognition of a direct support professional who helped someone “have a great life”.
• Give a small, but meaningful and personalized gift – not an agency lunch box or t-shirt.
• Provide a heartfelt and simple “thank you” for the personal sacrifices that direct support professionals make on a regular basis.
• Bring in dinner, lunch or breakfast for those who are working in your programs.
• Create and distribute a DSP Week flyer/press release to raise awareness of the important contributions that direct support professionals have in the lives of people with disabilities.
• Invite elected officials to your organization’s homes and let DSPs tell their stories to them.
• Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper that describes the complex and skilled work that your direct support professionals do EVERY DAY.
• Find ways that your organization’s culture can show that you trust direct support professionals.
• Don’t wait until September 9th. Show a real commitment to your direct support professionals by recognizing their importance EVERY DAY.

DSP Recognition Event: Honoring Outstanding Contributions

 

DSPAM is presenting awards in two categories (DSP of the Year and DSP Advocate of the Year) to recognize the outstanding contributions of DSPs working with people with disabilities.  If you have not yet nominated a direct support professional, there is still time.  Eligible individuals are those whose job duties involve working at least 50% of the time in providing direct care and support to people with disabilities.

The award winners and their families will be invited to DSPAM’s Annual DSP Recognition Event:  Honoring Commitments. This event offers the opportunity for direct support professionals to be recognized and celebrated. The event will take place during National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 9-15, 2012) on Saturday, September 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Southdale Library in Edina.

All are welcome, including children.  Your participation, along with the participation of others in the disability and aging communities, is critical to demonstrate our unity and support of each other.Please share this message with your family, friends, and colleagues.

To RSVP, or for an awards nomination form, send an email to bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com. If you have questions, you may call 612-272-0281.

DSP Recognition Event: Honoring Outstanding Contributions Saturday, September 15, 2012. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Southdale Library 7001 York Ave. S. Edina, 55435

 

DSPAM is presenting awards in two categories (DSP of the Year and DSP Advocate of the Year) to recognize the outstanding contributions of DSPs working with people with disabilities.  If you have not yet nominated a direct support professional, there is still time.  Eligible individuals are those whose job duties involve working at least 50% of the time in providing direct care and support to people with disabilities.

The award winners and their families will be invited to DSPAM’s Annual DSP Recognition Event:  Honoring Commitments. This event offers the opportunity for direct support professionals to be recognized and celebrated. The event will take place during National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 9-15, 2012) on Saturday, September 15, from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Southdale Library in Edina.

All are welcome, including children.  Your participation, along with the participation of others in the disability and aging communities, is critical to demonstrate our unity and support of each other.Please share this message with your family, friends, and colleagues.

To RSVP, or for an awards nomination form, send an email to bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com. If you have questions, you may call 612-272-0281.

Call for DSP Nominations

 

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota

Call for Award Nominations

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is a membership organization of individuals who are employed in a variety of settings that support and assist people with disabilities in living full and productive lives.

DSPAM is seeking nominations in two categories to recognize the outstanding contributions of DSPs working with people with disabilities. Eligible individuals are those whose job duties involve working at least 50% of the time in providing direct care and support to people with disabilities.

The award winners and their families will be invited to DSPAMs Annual DSP Recognition Week Event: Honoring Commitments. This event offers the opportunity for direct support professionals to be recognized and celebrated, and for us to say thank you to the DSPs who provide direct services to our aging and disability communities.

Also, during the Honoring Commitments event, we will present awards to direct support professionals who exemplify the Code of Ethics and promote self-determination, inclusion and leadership. We request that any nominated recipients be willing to attend the event.

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:

 

Direct Support Professional of the Year–Recognizes an individual who uses the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics when providing outstanding services supporting people with disabilities in participating in daily living care, growth and development, job development or ongoing support, self-advocacy, recreation, and other community involvement activities.

Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year–Recognizes an individual who uses the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics when providing outstanding services in training direct support professionals, families, or self-advocates or in advocating for local, state or national policies directly impacting Direct Support Professionals.

 

Nominations are due by 11:59 pm, Monday September 3^rd.  Completed nomination forms should be emailed at bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com.

For questions, please call 612.272.0281.

 

                  Annual Award Nomination Form

Award Category being nominated for:

                  DSP of the Year

  DSP Advocate of the Year

Contact Information

Name of person being nominated:

Nominee’s Address:

Phone Number: (         )                                         Email:

Name of person submitting the nomination:

Nominator’s Address:

Phone Number: (         )                                         Email:

Relationship to the Nominee:

Name of nominee’s Employer:

Supervisor’s Address:

Phone Number: (         )                               Email:

1.     As guests of honor, award recipients are expected to be present for this public recognition opportunity.  If selected, will the nominee make an effort to attend the Awards Ceremony (details TBA) during the week of September 9^th to 15^th?

□Yes □No

 

2.     Number of Years the Nominee has been employed as a DSP:

3.     Nominee’s Current Job Title:

4.     Please provide a brief job description:

5.     Please describe why this nominee is deserving of the award. Include examples of outstanding services to those people this person supports that have enabled the individuals served to be successful. Please limit the response to 250 words or less.

#5 continued….

6.      Please describe how the nominee utilizes some of the following National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Code of Ethics in providing services to those worked with: Please limit the response to 250 words or less.

 

• Person-Centered Supports
• Promoting Physical and Emotional Well-Being
• Integrity and Responsibility
• Confidentiality
• Justice, Fairness and Equity
• Respect
• Relationships
• Self-Determination
• Advocacy                            

 

For more on the Code of Ethics visit www.nadsp.org  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.    Please list any other awards the nominee has received for their professional or personal commitments. Attach any newspaper or newsletter articles, or other publications that highlight the individual’s professional or personal accomplishments. Optional letters of support are encouraged and can be attached separately.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us to help us make a determination about the two very special award recipients for the 2012 DSP Recognition Event: Honoring Commitments?

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU for taking the time to recognize an outstanding member of the DSP workforce!

 

Completed forms should be emailed to: bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com.

	800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A, St. Paul, MN. 55114    http://www.nadsp.org/dspam

 

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) Seeking Board Members

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) Seeking Board Members

The DSPAM is an organization of individuals whose purpose is to improve the quality of human services provided to persons with disabilities by strengthening the direct support professional workforce. DSPAM’s areas of interest include but are not limited to:

• reducing staff turnover rates,
• increasing the social status of Direct Support Professionals,
• improving training opportunities and programs,
• increasing educational and career opportunities, and
• enhancing wages and benefits paid to Direct Support Professionals.

DSPAM is a volunteer driven organization. It is affiliated with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. The Board of Directors has operating and oversight responsibility of the organization. It meets approximately eight times per year. Board members are expected to join and be active in at least one committee or workgroup. See attached job description for further duties of Board members.

The Board is currently seeking applications or nominations to join it. Interested individuals must be or become members of DSPAM. Membership categories are:

• Direct Support Professional (including frontline supervisors);
• Associate includes self-advocates and family members.

• Other Professional includes professionals who work in disability related fields.

To apply or nominate someone send a brief biography, along with a statement of interest to Bridget Siljander, bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com by 09/30/12.