NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: OJ Taylor

by Nicole Dama | Mar 25, 2025 | News

Congratulations to OJ Taylor who has been selected as the March 2025 NADSP E-Badge Academy Earner of the Month. We are recognizing OJ for her excellent Cultural Connections’ E-Badge submission.This badge represents a Direct Support Professionals’ work in assisting the individual to find social, learning and recreational opportunities valued in his or her culture. This badge is part of the Cultural Competency CMS Core Competency. It also aligns with the NADSP Competency Area of Provide Person-Centered Supports.

OJ works as a direct support professional at Milk River Inc. in Montana. The mission of Milk River Inc. is to encourage and advocate for the wishes, dreams, and aspirations of people with developmental disabilities. To learn more about Milk River Inc., click here.

OJ’s Experiences With The NADSP E-Badge Academy

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) recently asked OJ 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:

I shared the story of supporting an individual to cook Native American food. I was able to find a woman in our community who assisted the person I was supporting. The two of them later became friends.

Why is this competency so important to DSPs?

We need to be willing to go beyond our comfort zone and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. We need to hear a person’s wants and desires for their life. We need to do everything we can to support them to make their lives as enjoyable as possible.

Have you used this competency in your work?

I work with the individuals to make sure they get to experience as much of their culture as possible. We have pow wows close in the summer and I encourage them to be able to attend and go with the other staff as well.

How can other DSPs replicate your practices?

I think it’s important that all DSPs try to help the individuals connect with their culture no matter what it is. I hope more DSPs will be willing to do what it takes to help individuals experience as much of their culture as possible.

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

The DSPs at the agency I work at are taking the e-badges very seriously. I think the more we practice the Code of Ethics the better our program will be.

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

The benefits are numerous. If we practice the Code of Ethics, the people we support will continue to see more benefits.

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

I hope to continue to learn and continue through the E-Badge Academy. Hearing different opinions and ideas is helpful at times because everyone has different ideas that may work. It’s good to learn from each other.

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

I feel I understand the Code of Ethics more. I feel like I understand what to do or just what I shouldn’t do when it comes to the people I support. I just want to give them the best life possible, and it makes me smile when they are happy. I feel more skilled. I’ve learned a lot. When my submission wasn’t approved it made me think about what I was doing and what I needed to do what I needed to change in my own behavior.

Writing submissions that really make you think will make you feel really accomplished and it’s something to feel proud of.

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.

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