
NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Julius Nyabinda
Congratulations to Julius Nyabinda who has been selected as the January 2025 NADSP E-Badge Academy Earner of the Month. We are recognizing Julius his excellent ‘Self Reflection’ E-Badge submission. This badge represents a direct support professionals’ work in seeing their own potential role within a conflict or crisis and changes behavior to minimize conflict. This badge is part of the Crisis Prevention and Intervention CMS Core Competency. It also aligns with the NADSP Competency Area of Crisis Prevention and Intervention.
Julius works as a Direct Support Professional at InVision Human Services in Wexford, Pennsylvania. InVision Human Services’ mission is to provide services and products designed to transform the lives of people who are experiencing significant life challenges. To learn more about InVision, click here.
Julius’ Experiences With The NADSP E-Badge Academy
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) recently asked Julius about his experiences with the NADSP E-Badge Academy. The questions covered how he carries out his work as a direct support professional (DSP), the skillsets he demonstrates on a daily basis, the impact that the E-Badge Academy has had on his professional recognition, and how he gets credit for competency.
Describe the story you shared in carrying out that competency:
The story I shared was of when I was a younger DSP working with a man I’ll call “Fred.” I was supporting Fred, who lives with mild to moderate IDD in his apartment. At the time I was supporting Fred, I was still young and just new to my career as a DSP and being a diehard football fan, I would spend all my free time watching live games, replays and other football programs. Fred also took an interest in the football I was watching and within no time had he become a big fan. We would spend a lot of time watching or discussing football in the apartment. However, I soon realized this was negatively impacting him—he stopped doing personal tasks, lost interest in learning new skills, and even skipped time with his family to watch football. His parents grew concerned, which made me reflect on how my behavior influenced him. After discussing it with my supervisor, I gradually stopped watching football during work hours, which helped Fred regain focus on his routine, personal growth, and family time. This experience taught me the importance of being mindful of my influence while providing person-centered support.
Why is this competency so important to DSPs?
It helps DSPs to be better at their job and also improve their skills.
Have you used this competency in your work?
I have on many occasions.
How can other DSPs replicate your practices?
They can use my experience to reflect on during different scenarios.
How does the NADSP E-Badge Academy benefit your agency?
Many people who I work with who have gone through the NADSP E-Badge Academy are more skillful and competent. This makes my company provide one of the best services in western Pennsylvania. We pride ourselves in being the best.
How does NADSP E-Badge Academy benefit the people you support?
The people we support are able to get the best services due to skills that we gain/reflect on in the NADSP E-Badge Academy.
What does the future hold for your involvement in the NADSP E-Badge Academy?
I am still continuing learning and hopefully I will finish the next two levels of certification.
How has NADSP E-Badge Academy affected your professional image?
Since I started the program, I have been able to reflect on my career and appreciated how noble of a profession I have. I feel more competent. I carry myself with confidence and pride in my day to day activities. I appreciate the NADSP program for the opportunity to advance my career.
Well Wishes from InVision Human Services
“DSPs play a critical role in the lives of the people we support, and their personal behaviors can have a significant impact upon those people. While watching and discussing football seems innocent, Julius inadvertently created a negative situation for the person supported. The awareness that Julius showed and the proactive steps he took to resolve the situation are commendable. It takes courage to examine your own actions and accept that something you’re doing is negatively affecting someone else. This demonstration of responsibility and care for the person supported is the standard to which all DSPs should aspire.”
– Deb-Hyatt Burkhart, Chief Operating Officer, InVision Human Services

The NADSP E-Badge Academy
The NADSP E-Badge Academy offers Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Frontline Supervisors (FLSs) the ability to earn national certification through stackable electronic badges. These badges demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values that these professionals utilize every day, recognizing the professional development that might otherwise go unacknowledged. Through the NADSP E-Badge Academy, DSPs and FLSs are acknowledged for the experience and education that they bring to the human services field.
NADSP E-Badge Academy Earners Of The Month

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Cheryl Louise Nelson

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Jodi Beck

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Jodi Beck
