Become a Registered Direct Support Professional

Show Your Commitment: Become a DSP- R! Due to Popular Demand! Offer Extended to October 31,2012

Greetings! The NADSP is happy to extend our special promotion throughout the month of October that offers organizations a significant discount for group registrations of direct support professionals as DSP-R’s – the first step to a nationally recognized credential in direct support practice.   The DSP-R is intended to recognize those who have entered the profession and desire to havecareers in the field of community human services. This first level is not intended to be a credential for which NADSP prescribes or sanctions DSP competence – it meets the basic requirements to be placed on our national DSP Registry.

Our Special Discount for Group Registrations – Special Discount Expires on September 30, 2012   For 1-10 DSP-R Applications – $40 per DSP For 11 – 25 DSP-R Applications – $35 per DSP For 26 – 50 DSP-R Applications – $30 per DSP For more than 50 DSP-R Applications – $25 per DSP   * Our standard DSP-R Application Fee is $50 per DSP   Learn how NADSP recognizes DSP-Rs

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 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.