Direct Support Professionals Today: The Current Landscape in Minnesota Bridget Siljander, Lindsay Short, and Kelly Voigt

Today’s outline:1. Overview of professional

associations

2. DSPAM

3. Environmental Scan

4. Q & A

What is a Direct Support Professional (DSP)?

Those who provide direct supports to: individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities persons with mental illness and substance abuse issues

DSPs also provide direct care to: persons with long term health care needs persons who are aging (seniors) children and youth

Other titles Include: Home Health Aide Personal Care Attendant Personal Assistant Certified Nursing Assistant

Direct Support Professional Influence

How do DSPs currently have influence?Provide socially-valuable servicesSupport individuals with multiple disabilities and

challenging behaviors and who are medically fragile Advocate for consumersEnhance lives

In what ways do DSPs lack influence? Invisible and viewed as disposableSub-standard compensation and benefit packagesLack credibility/professionalismAmbiguous vocational definitions and boundaries

What do Professional Associations provide their members?

Opportunities for Connection and NetworkingEducation and resourcesTrainingCredential/Licensing/CertificationLeadership opportunitiesProfessional recognitionInfluence systems change through legislation

and policy development

Example Models

American Medical AssociationAmerican Nurses AssociationNational Association of Social WorkersAmerican Physical Therapy AssociationThe American Occupational Therapy

Association, Inc.

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) since 2005

State Chapter of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) DSPAM supports NADSP Goals:

enhance status of DSPsprovide better access to high quality educational experiencesstrengthen working relationships with individuals and families/support

networkspromote system reform through the promotion of policy initiativessupport the development and implementation of a national voluntary

credentialing process for DSPs.

DSPAM State Chapter liaisons to NADSPBridget - DSPAM ChairLindsay – DSPAM Vice-Chair

DSPAM members participate in NADSP CommitteesEducation and Training CommitteeMidwest Regional Development Committee

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM)DSPAM Mission:

DSPAM is dedicated to the development of a highly competent and professional human services workforce by supporting and working together with DSPs, self-advocates, families, and allies.

DSPAM Vision:DSPAM has a vision in which all Minnesota DSPs- Are valued and respected in their communities Receive livable wages and benefits Stay longer with their employers Complete one or more levels of a national DSP credentialing program Collaborate on diverse projects with self-advocates, families, and allies. Use their leadership skills by presenting at conferences and training

events.

Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM)Board structure:

7 member BOD: 3 DSPs, 1 self-advocate, 3 highly-experienced leaders

Infrastructure: governance (articles of incorporation, by-laws)strategic planningleadership developmentcommunication with multiple stakeholders

(state/local government, advocacy and self-advocacy organizations, service providers, families/support networks, etc.)

Basis for conducting the E-Scan

Why would you want to poll DSPs?As a new board, we were interested in the primary

concerns of Direct Support Professionals.To get firsthand information from DSPs about their

work-related experiences.Provide an opportunity for DSPs to share their insight

into some of the many issues they face, their needs, and hopes for the future.

Results will:shape the DSPAM's strategic planning, priorities, goals,

direction, and actionsstrengthen collaboration among DSPs statewidedevelop progress on DSP workforce issues.

The extensive set of issues facing DSPs greatly impacts the quality of life for DSPs and persons with disabilities alike

Current DSPAM Critical Issues

Internal or external issues. What is preventing us from getting to the world we want to see 3-5 years from now? What is our one issue that we will work on that will make a difference in the lives of DSPs in Minnesota? (external)

 How do we promote a sense of community and empowerment for DSPs? (internal)

How will we finance the work in a sustained way? (internal) How do we fund the infrastructure to address critical issues?  How do we make our issues known to the Legislature from our

voices? (external)  How do we see to it that DSPs receive livable wages and benefits?

(external)  Who will our partners be? (internal)  How do we find and keep members? (external)  Who’s going to do it? (internal)

Working in Partnership

Perceptions of goals

Relationships with stakeholders

Role of provider organizations

Tools for Creating Partnerships

DSPAM SurveyOutreachCollaborationEngaging in general dialogueCreativity

What Works and Challenges

What Works:Partnership and community investmentBoard diversityPositive public image

Challenges:DSPs in leadershipLimited time and energy of DSPsMembership recruitment

Practice and Policy Implications

Empowering DSPs affects everyoneDSPs deserve betterQuality of support depends on status of

workforceSystem benefitsPolicy reevaluation

Conclusion

Professional associations Play a significant role in empowering DSPsHave limitationsMust interface with broader network

DSPAM Accomplishments