We work with hundreds of human service organizations all around the globe. One of the most significant challenges that agencies cite involve direct support professional (DSP) workforce issues. Whether it’s successfully recruiting staff, implementing effective onboarding, developing useful training, offering professional growth, building positive culture, or any other number of areas, organizations struggle in identifying solutions.
To help agencies navigate these complex topics, CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) are again partnering on an important campaign. This annual initiative collects your organizational programs that address issues affecting DSPs, and shares those efforts with other providers who could use some inspiration and action steps.
For the fourth consecutive year, we will be gathering your organizational programs that have a meaningful and long-lasting impact on DSPs. The programs will then be published as articles, posted on our website, and shared across social media during National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, which takes place from September 8-14, 2024. The initiatives will also be featured in webinars and trainings conducted by CQL.
The intent of this campaign is to help other agencies in identifying and implementing best practices that support and empower DSPs involving numerous topics:
- Improving recruitment
- Reducing turnover
- Increasing wages
- Implementing professional development
- Promoting career advancement
- Soliciting DSP feedback
- Including DSPs in organizational leadership
- Responding to DSP needs
- Recognizing DSPs year-round
Submit Your DSP Program
After clicking the ‘Submit Program’ button, you will be directed to a survey for submitting your organization-wide program that positively impacts DSPs. You can submit multiple entries, but please only submit one program per survey submission. Before submitting your program, please be sure that you can answer “Yes” to the following questions:
- Is this a specific program or initiative? (vs. a mission/vision statement)
- Does your initiative/program have a long-lasting impact?
- Has there been a positive effect on the lives/work of DSPs?
- Are you able to provide DSP testimonials/quotes about that impact?
- Could other organizations replicate your efforts?
The deadline for submitting programs has passed and we are no longer accepting submissions
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Since 1969, CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership has been a leader in working with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure, and improve quality of life and quality of services for youth, adults, and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities. CQL offers accreditation, training, certification, research, and consultation services to agencies that share our vision of dignity, opportunity, and community for all people.
The DSP Workforce Crisis
2023 Direct Support Professional Recognition Week Campaign
During 2023 DSP Recognition Week, which occurred from September 10th through September 16th, 2023, CQL and NADSP collected and shared organizational programs that make a long-lasting impact on direct support professionals.
Learn More
Help Us Highlight Programs That Address DSP Workforce Issues