';
Tags Posts tagged with "DSP"

DSP

This fall, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals announced that it would be conducting a comprehensive campaign across the country to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among direct support professionals. This initiative is part of a cooperative agreement with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During this year-long campaign, NADSP is launching a variety of outreach activities including fact sheets, blogs, podcasts, and the production of public service announcements (PSAs).

In November, NADSP’s Director of Educational Services, John Raffaele, worked with filmmaker Jerry Smith and producer Pete McCauley of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota to capture some important and thought-provoking conversations.

This video is the first of many PSAs featuring DSPs, family members, and people receiving supports who shared varying perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination. Uwvie Obodo, a direct support professional at the Center for Family Support  in New York City, shares his experience below.

To learn more about John’s experiences during the first phase of filming, and the new insight he gained into why 26% of DSPs remain unvaccinated, visit the “Read More” section.


COVID-19 Webinars

Since the onset of COVID-19, NADSP has hosted a number of webinars about the pandemic — specifically covering its relationship to the role and responsibilities of direct support professionals.

RCPA joined with other disability service associations representing disability service providers and individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) in Pennsylvania urging Senator Toomey to support the investment included in the Build Back Better Act. The BBB Act, as passed by the House of Representatives, will strengthen the direct support professional workforce and sustain and expand access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

The longstanding direct support professional (DSP) worker shortage has grown during the pandemic and decreased access to HCBS for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania as well as negatively impacted the quality of supports those individuals receive. Supporting this historic investment is crucial to strengthening and growing the DSP workforce so that all people with disabilities may lead safe and fulfilled lives. It is critical for Senator Toomey to vote in favor of this legislation to strengthen and expand the Medicaid HCBS program.

Additionally, we ask that members join us in this advocacy. This letter can be utilized as a template for your efforts. Please join us in this advocacy effort.

Message from RCPA Member Foothold Technology:

Webinar/Panel — The DSP Workforce Crisis — What is the path forward? 

We have pulled together a panel of thought leaders to have a conversation about the current DSP workforce crisis. Here is the registration link that can provide more details.

Recognize a DSP Doing Amazing Work

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a special and essential role in supporting individuals receiving I/DD services, empowering them to lead independent and meaningful lives.

This year for DSP Recognition Week, Foothold Technology invites you to participate with us as we extend our gratitude to DSPs everywhere. We are building a digital recognition board and we’re collecting stories. Nominate a DSP you believe is doing amazing work, and we’ll feature them on our recognition board during DSP Recognition Week — September 12–18. We’ll also send them a $5 Starbucks gift card to say thanks for the great work they do.

[Submit Your Nomination] — link to the nomination and more details

August 11, 2021 from 1:30 pm–3:00 pm ET

This training will explore the Direct Support Professional’s (DSP) experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through information gathered through the National Core Indicators (NCI) Staff Stability Survey, the presentation will highlight current research on the DSP workforce gathered before and during the pandemic. Information will be presented regarding the DSP workforce nationally and its growth and importance to those needing long-term services and supports. Results from two national surveys conducted with DSPs during the pandemic will be shared, reflecting the impacts the pandemic has had on individual DSPs. Finally, the training will share the personal stories of six DSPs as they navigated the pandemic.

Following the presentation, webinar participants will have the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session, receiving feedback from CMS and the presenters.

Register here. Contact HCBS-Learning with any questions.