Delilah’s Experiences With The NADSP E-Badge Academy

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) recently asked Delilah about her experiences with the NADSP E-Badge Academy. The questions covered how she carries out her work as a direct support professional (DSP), the skillsets she demonstrates on a daily basis, the impact that the E-Badge Academy has had on her professional recognition, and how she gets credit for competency.

Describe the story you shared in carrying out that competency:

A person I supported really enjoyed going to the gentleman’s club and shopping at an adult store. He was afraid to let his mother know that he liked going to these places. His mother had set him birthday money one year and she asked what he was going to spend it on. With some fear and hesitation, he let her know that he was spending it at the gentleman’s club. I advocated with him to sit down with the supervisor to find out his rights.  I knew that the supervisor would have all the documents to show him that he has the right to make his own decisions.  When talking with the supervisor she let him know that he could make his own decisions.  I reminded him that he is now able to live a self-directed life without getting approval from his mother. He now knows that he doesn’t need to tell his mother everything. He can keep things to himself, and he has the right to enjoy things he loves to do, without his mother’s permission.

Why is this competency so important to DSPs?

This competency is important to DSPs because I was able to help this individual understand his rights. I was able to help him feel better knowing that he doesn’t have to report every decision he makes to his mother. Competency is important to direct support professionals because DSPs should always know that individuals have rights and have the right to live their life they want to live it, without anyone’s permission.

How have you used this competency in your work?

I use this competency in my work every day advocating with individuals to find out their rights, so that they can become more independent.

How can other DSPs replicate your practices?

Other DSPs can replicate my practice by focusing on learning person-centered support and getting a good understanding of an individual’s rights.

How does the NADSP E-Badge Academy benefit your agency?

The NADSP E-Badge academy benefits my agency by encouraging DSPs to learn new skills to help them support the individuals better. It helps DSPs self-reflect on their skills and helps DSPs improve their knowledge in what they already know.

How does NADSP E-Badge Academy benefit the people you support?

The NADSP E-badge academy benefits the people we support by strengthening a DSP’s knowledge and skillset. When you understand the competencies and the NADSP Code of Ethics, I feel the people we support will get better support from the DSPs every day.

What does the future hold for your involvement in the NADSP E-Badge Academy?

I completed all levels and I will continue to support team members to finish their career ladder journey. With the knowledge I have gained from NADSP, I am able to better support staff and individuals.  I also have been thinking of applying to be an E-badge reviewer.

How has NADSP E-Badge Academy affected your professional image?

My view of my professional image has been awesome. I have been recognized by team members for how great I have done.  I have been told that my skills have grown and I’m making an impression on some staff members, which makes me feel great about my work ability.

I feel more skilled, I feel that I learned the importance of what I do. I feel that my skills as a DSP have grown, I look at things differently with an open mindset. I help others in areas that my skills are strong in. Advocating with people I support is enjoyable because the skills I learned/reflected on through the E-Badges help me help individuals live a self-directed life.

How does the NADSP E-Badge Academy give you credit for competency?

The NADSP E-badge academy gives you credit in lots of ways. You can earn badges, you can learn new skills, you can also strengthen the skills that you already have.

I will continue to become a better DSP for the people we support and my team members.  I will continue to advocate with individuals to learn their rights so they can become more independent in their daily life!

Well Wishes from Penn-Mar Human Services

“It was clear from the beginning of Delilah’s certification journey that she had a passion for direct support work and supporting people to live courageously. Now a DSP-III, she not only offers person-centered approaches and informed decision-making, she also encourages independence and self-advocacy as seen in her Self-Advocacy Ally badge. We couldn’t be prouder to have Delilah on our team as a peer support and role model for other DSPs in Career Ladders and across our workforce. I’m appreciative to the NADSP for recognizing and celebrating her meaningful work!”

– Kelly Baker, Career Ladders Program Coordinator

NADSP E-Badge Academy Earners Of The Month