I Want To Start a Movement: It Is Time to Truly Value the DSP Contribution

Our U.S. history shows that families reached out for help from their community even before the Declaration of Independence was created. It is documented that farmers would go to their town leaders when faced with a child who needed additional care when it was keeping their family from being able to successfully run their farm.

Over the years, the shape and nature of that support changed, and in this day and age, we know a lot more about how to help children develop and how to help individuals and families have a meaning-filled everyday life. For centuries we have needed direct support staff, and we will continue to need them well into the future. Over time the role has changed, and most of our community knows very little about the importance of the work or the depth of the contribution of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs); yet in the age of COVID, we call them “heroes,” and rightfully so. Here are some roles and expectations we have for these staff we call DSPs.

Teacher: DSPs teach everyday living skills like doing laundry, making a bed, preparing a sandwich

Caregiver: DSPs provide for personal care, bathing, assistance in the bathroom, handwashing

Health care assistant: DSPs provide medication, feeding supports, skin care

Advocate: DSPs assist clients at doctor’s appointments, help the person relay important personal needs or wishes; DSPs raise concern when someone is unable to speak for him or herself

Guide: DSPs help clients make healthy choices regarding snacks, activities, and getting along with others

Coach: DSPs help people develop new habits like exercise, time management

Mentor: DSPs encourage individuals to pursue their roles as family members, workers, and friends

Facilitator: DSPs help to make social connections with friends and families, set up dates, and use transportation

Communicator: For those who have trouble or cannot speak for themselves, DSPs provide a voice, an expression of a person’s fear, joys, pain, or grief

Friend: We expect our DSP to be the friend to all, caring for each person’s mood and each person’s needs, which vary from day to day

Journalist: We expect our DSPs to document what they do and provide a real understanding of the well-being of each person

All across the nation, this week we celebrate the DSP. Let’s all find ways to thank them. Let’s see and appreciate the value of their work in our community.