Annual meeting and elections scheduled for Friday, December 20, 3:00-5:00. At Arc MN – conference room.

DSPAM Annual meeting and elections are scheduled for Friday, December 20, 3:00-5:00. At the Arc MN – conference room at 800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A, St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 For more information and to RSVP, email bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com or call 612-272-0281. We are accepting board member applications. Hope to see you there!

Final Note from Past DSPAM Board Chairman:

Final Note from Past DSPAM Board Chairman:

Tuesday January 28^th we have the first DSPAM Board Meeting of the 2013 Board Members at the Offices of MTS (Midway Training Services on University Avenue.  I joined the DSPAM Board 4 years ago after I had gotten a Social Work Degree because I thought that I wanted to be in a Professional Position.  I found that I was not happy within a paper pushing position and I missed working with people to take care of their needs.  When I heard about the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota I recognize that this was what Direct Support Professionals needed to promote that they are also working in a Professional Position and that their Code of Ethics and the job that they do is just as needed and important as any other Professional Position.  Although I had joined DSPAM for a year I found that the only way to really feel a part of a Professional Organization was to get involved in promoting your profession rather than to think that by paying a small amount of money to be a part of a Professional Organization made you a Professional.

By joining DSPAM I was able to learn to speak out for my own Profession rather than to rely on my Employers and a gathering of Co-Workers one day a year at the Capital to speak out for the needs of my Profession.  I also found by broadening my work experience within the field that as Direct Support Professionals we may work in a wide variety of settings and positions but each of us is just as needed and are fulfilling just as meaningful and important a position as any other DSP.  During my 16 years in Topeka, Kansas we would have over 1,000 people gather at the capital working with Day Services, Mental Health, Residential and PCA Services to promote a Bi-Partisan effort to lobby all our legislators for funding for all our programs in what they called a Big Tent Coalition.  In Minnesota I have found that we have 4 to 6 different groups bringing 100 to 300 people to the capital to compete in lobbying for funding for our different programs.  Everyone seems to be concerned about lobbying for funding for whatever program they work for.  But the best way to get our programs funded is to stick together and advocate for funding all of our programs together.  Too many times we see some programs are selected for cut backs while other programs be spared cuts and then cost of living increases be given to only certain programs.  When that happens we eventually all suffer because services can only receive good professional support when you pay people adequate and professional wages.

On March 6th I was able to support my company at the ARRM Day At The Capital.  I was happy to see some of our DSPAM supporters from Day Services Programs attending the Rally saying that we are all working together to ask for a COLA Cost of Living Adjustment.  Although the Governor has promoted giving Unionized State Employees and Nursing Home Workers COLA increases he has only promised to remove the 1.67% Rate Cuts to Residential Programs from last year’s Legislature.  There are two Bills Senate Bill 599 and House Bill 777 promoting Cost of Living Adjustments for Direct Support Professionals.  This need for a COLA salary increase is not needed just for large Residential and Day Services Programs.  But it should be something that is needed for all Direct Support Professionals no matter what programs you work for whether it is for a large program or whether you are a PCA working to support individuals to live independently.   We should all work together and not as separate organizations to advocate for regular Cost of Living Adjustments for all Direct Support Professionals.

Meet the 2013 Board of Directors!

The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) recently held board elections. Here is our board of directors, as of January 1, 2013:

Bridget Siljander, chair:  A career direct support professional (DSP), Bridget has been involved with DSPAM since 2007, and was chair from 2007 to 2009.  She is very passionate about DSPs gaining the recognition, support, and respect that they deserve, as well as earning a living wage and having access to affordable health care.  She will be working hard during her term to engage more DSPs and nurture DSP leadership, and promote public policy activities.  She is the parent of a teenager with cerebral palsy.  She has supported a person experiencing quadriplegia due to multiple sclerosis for almost thirteen years, and has worked in virtually every care/support setting since 1997, including home care, hospitals, group homes, and nursing homes. And, she has been very active statewide, and nationally, on workforce issues, and has testified at the State Capitol numerous times.  She was involved with the reform of the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Program, and was video-recorded by the Department of Health and Human Services, discussing the need for professional associations and the importance of self-care, for a required statewide online PCA training. During her first term as president, she worked with the board of directors to position DSPAM as the primary voice for DSPs, by collaborating across stakeholders.  She has worked as a program coordinator for the Direct Care Alliance, as a curriculum author for the College of Direct Support at the University of Minnesota, and founded The Youth Legacy Foundation.

Jennifer Walton, vice-chair:  Jennifer has been working in the Human Services field for over fifteen years. Throughout high school and college, she worked in nursing homes—as a dietary aide and a Certified Nursing Assistant. She worked as a PCA and also gained some basic experience doing administrative support. In 2000, she took her first position as a job coach. After a short time, she began working in the behavioral department and went to work with a small group of consumers at their job in the community. In the course of her work at the Day Program, she became familiar with the residential side of Human Services. She took a position as a live-in and soon after accepted a position supervising a group home. For the next ten years, she worked for the residential side, supervising a home of two gentlemen with significant behavioral support needs. During this time, she continued working direct care for other homes and filled in as a supervisor for emergency needs within the company. She learned a great deal about dedication, flexibility, problem solving, and time management. Throughout that time, she made connections with various other providers and in 2010, she took a job in management with Midway Training Services. In her current role, she has become increasingly aware of the need for competent, enthusiastic, well-trained and well supported staff members. The roles we each play are remarkable—and the support and training required to sustain a high level of care are of utmost importance. It is imperative to provide the best, most well equipped workforce as we look to support the needs of others.

Donald Krutsinger,  past president:  Donald grew up with a brother who experiences developmental disabilities. He earned a B. A., Master’s in Divinity, and Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Over the past 23 years, he has worked in a variety of settings as a DSP (e.g. group residential, individual in-home, special education, and day programs plus targeted case management).  For the last 7 years, he has been working as a residential program coordinator and regional floating DSP with REM Minnesota plus a DSP with Phoenix Residence, Fraser, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), and Accurate Home Care. While he was chair over the past two years, he sought to
organize our Policy Committee to advocate for DSP issues, set-up resources on Facebook and Linkedin, raise awareness for DSP issues through our e-newsletter, and promote DSPAM through local conferences.

Mike Harrison, treasurer:  Mike found direct care work after being displaced from his job as a factory worker. He has served on the DSPAM board for four years, and for the last year as treasurer. He works as a direct support professional full-time. He is also a graduate of the Direct Care Alliance’s 2009 Voices Institute National Leadership Program.

Idelle Longman, director:  Idelle has served on the DSPAM board for two years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota where she majored in anthropology and minored in psychology.  She has served on the Hennepin County Local Advisory Council and the governor-appointed Special Education Advisory Council.  She has also served as the chair of the mayor-appointed Edina Public Health Committee and as the vice chair of the Edina Human Rights and Relations Committee.  To enhance her work in public service, Idelle has attended many state and national conferences and seminars on mental health and is a graduate of Leaders of Today and Tomorrow and Partners in Policymaking. She was recently appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Ruka Oba, director:  Ruka has served on the DSPAM board for three years.  She is a career direct support professional who works with Hammer Residences. Ruka has also been involved with Advocating Change Together (ACT), and is a remarkable leader who supports self-advocacy.  Ruka goes out of her way to engage self-advocates and demonstrates that DSPs and self-advocates are important allies.  She is a leader who is welcoming to everyone, and who puts people at ease.

Theo Nah, director:  Theo is a career direct support professional who works for Hammer Residences.  He is an excellent role model for other DSPs, and exemplifies professionalism and ethics in all he does.  Theo’s diplomatic style and enthusiasm are highly valued by his colleagues.  He demonstrates that interpersonal skills are an important part of leadership.

Catherine (Kat) Gordon, director:  Kat works as the PAS Services Coordinator at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. She has worked there for 5.5 years – 3 years as a DSP, and 2.5 years in the office. Along with payroll and requesting assessments for consumers, and working with service agreements, Kat also works closely with DSPs to assist them in meeting the changing needs of their consumers, both through organizing formal trainings, as well as working with consumers and DSPs individually in day to day problem solving. Through her many years of working with the activist communities in Chicago and Minneapolis, Kat has a strong background of community collaborations and organizing, working for labor rights, and collective organizing, which is an asset to DSPAM. The rights of workers, and the rights of those in the disability community are deep passions of hers, as is making the tools for empowerment available to individuals to create social and governmental changes that benefit the working class. Kat’s work with youth and young moms has given her the necessary experience working with socially, economically, and racially diverse populations to be able to communicate and organize with DSPs and consumers. Kat’s experiences in organizing and well as her experiences working as both a DSP and in an agency’s office gives her a unique perspective, as well as the knowledge to help organize a worker base and create change within individual agencies that will help forward the important work DSPAM does for the communities of DSPs.

Jim Lovold, director:  Jim is a 50 year-old individual with Spina Bifida, who has depended on the services of other people to help him with his personal cares, etc., for almost 30 years now. He thought that serving on the DSPAM board would be a great way to get involved in something that he deals with on a daily basis – DSPs. It’s always good to have a voice from someone who has experienced and lived through it. He feels that he could be of great help in offering his personal experiences with DSPs throughout the years. He thinks having someone hands-on on the board would be a great thing for all involved. He has also served 13 years on the board of the Spina Bifida Association of MN.  He also help set up events and other fundraisers. He feels that he brings a lot of experience in the disability community to the group.

Lisa Evenson, director: Is from Lutheran Social Service of Adams, Minnesota.  Lisa believes that the most powerful tool she has is her voice. For 10 years, she has used her voice and dedicated herself to advocating for the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Through Lutheran Social Service, Evenson has served as a mentor, guiding individuals she supports in the southern Minnesota community of Adams as they learn to advocate for themselves at the state capitol.  She works hard to help people adapt successfully to new environments and is a strong encourager of people with disabilities—offering words of support to help them reach their personal goals in life, including graduating high school and attending college.

Meet Melanie Freiermuth, DSP of the Year Nominee, Opportunity Partners

Melanie crafts curriculum and lesson plans that support people with a range of needs to become better integrated into their community and help support skills needed to maintain community employment. Melanie teaches classes focused on helping foster growth in social skills, independence and helping individuals learn how to navigate the world of work. Melanie genuinely cares about the people she serves and wants to help them be successful individuals. She promotes independence by encouraging and helping the people she serves to complete as many of their work tasks as possible.

Meet Shane Ausprey, DSP of the Year Nominee, Opportunity Partners

Shane is an amazingly valuable person for the field of human services to have on our side. He strives every day to help the people he supports increase their independence by challenging them to try new things and to push them to reach their goals. In March of this year, Shane was given a very unique challenge: develop a program to support a gentleman with one-to-one, 24-hour-a-day support needs. The person displays many unique and challenging behaviors, and thus, the traditional housing options did not fit his needs. Shane has excelled at providing high-quality services for this person. He has developed a strong team of staff who support this person.

Meet Laurel Kaercher, DSP of the Year Award Winner, Aspen Employment Partners

Laurel has been a DSP for over ten years. She supports individuals with developmental disabilities to lead independent, productive lives where their contributions are valued.  Laurel is currently using her talents to develop a supported employment program at Aspen Employment Partners. She is conscientious and committed to the individuals she supports. Laurel worked for one and a half years with a woman with dementia. Laurel was a blessing to the family and the individual as the disease progressed and presented new daily challenges. Laurel’s advocacy for the individual was extraordinary and meant the difference between leading an unassuming life to living life fully.

Meet Mike Maxson, DSP of the Year Award Winner, Rural Living Environments

Mike has done an outstanding job building a rapport with a very challenged young man with autism. Because of Mike’s commitment to his work, the young man has grown beyond everyone’s dreams. Mike is a natural leader and teacher who lives and breathes the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics. Mike’s interactions are an example of excellence. His coworkers and the individuals he supports adore Mike. He is calm, instills trust, and truly loves others. This comes through in everything he does. Mike is person centered and always individualizes his supports. Mike is respectful and advocates for the individuals he supports. Mike has made visits with families occur that would be impossible if not for his skilled supports. Mike practices justice, fairness, and equity in his interactions with others.

Meet Lisa Evenson, DSP of the Year Award Winner, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Lisa believes that the most powerful tool she has is her voice. For 10 years, she has used her voice and dedicated herself to advocating for the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Through Lutheran Social Service, Evenson has served as a mentor, guiding individuals she supports in the southern Minnesota community of Adams as they learn to advocate for themselves at the state capitol.  She works hard to help people adapt successfully to new environments and is a strong encourager of people with disabilities—offering words of support to help them reach their personal goals in life, including graduating high school and attending college.

Meet Alicia Munson, DSP Advocate of the Year Nominee, Opportunity Partners

Alicia has two equally important parts of her job, both of which she excels at greatly. For half of her work week, Alicia teaches community-based classes to eight people with developmental disabilities. Alicia is thoughtful in her planning and execution of her classes, putting the choice and decision-making for classes at the heart of her teaching methods. In her second capacity as Policy and Advocacy Team Lead, Alicia has worked to develop and maintain an Opportunity Partners presence with several area advocacy groups, including the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with disabilities (MCCD), the Minnesota Habilitation Coalition (MHC) the Association for Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM), along with developing a strong group of self-advocates through Opportunity Partners’ Committee on Advocacy and leadership (COAL) group.

Meet Galen Smith, DSP Advocate of the Year Award Winner, Opportunity Partners

Galen is a fierce advocate for the people he supports. He has participated in Opportunity Partners (OP) government affairs committee in order to fight for disability service issues. He has advocated at the state and national level in a variety of ways. Galen also understands the importance of involving the people he supports in standing up for what is important to them. Galen has been an integral part of getting the Coalition on Advocacy and Leadership (COAL) group up and running. This a group led by the people OP supports. It is a place for them to learn about how to advocate for themselves and to learn about advocacy issues. Galen facilitated presentations on the rights and responsibilities of romance and how to vote. He facilitated elections so that the people involved in the group could truly run the group and make decisions on how the group would function.