Submit Your Program That Positively Impacts DSPs

Posted on June 7, 2023

As the human services field knows all too well, there are a multitude of complex issues that direct support professionals face. From being underpaid, underappreciated, under supported, and more – this essential workforce demands and deserves dramatic transformation. But without a doubt, effective solutions to these problems certainly aren’t easy to identify and implement.

That’s why the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership have been partnering on an annual campaign to highlight organizational programs that are having a long-lasting and meaningful impact on DSPs. Each year ahead of National DSP Recognition Week, we collect agency initiatives that address topics like recruitment, onboarding, training, retention, career advancement, and employee recognition. Since launching this campaign, we have shared dozens of programs to provide new insights and action steps for the disability services system.

This year, CQL and NADSP will be publishing articles about innovative programs both during DSP Recognition Week and throughout the year. They will be distributed on our websites, social media channels, and email blasts, as well as incorporated into trainings, webinars, and more.

Our hope is always that the initiatives shared in this campaign can help other organizations replicate best practices to enact change in the following areas:

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 to submit DSP programs has passed, and CQL is 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.