Resources

Guides, reports, and more to help you elevate the status of DSPs

The National Alliance For Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has compiled a number of resources to assist direct support professionals, people receiving services, family members, human service organizations, state/national associations, and more. These include guides, reports, toolkits, and more that cover a variety of topics related to the direct support professional workforce.

Code of Ethics

The NADSP Code of Ethics is intended to serve as a straightforward and relevant guide for DSPs as they resolve the ethical dilemmas they face every day.

Competency Areas

The NADSP Competency Areas offer DSPs the opportunity to address challenges, work on issues identified by the person they support, or assist someone in pursuing a goal.

Receive 15 Months of NADSP Membership For The Price of 12 Months

Receive 15 Months of NADSP Membership For The Price of 12 Months

The mission of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is to elevate the status of direct support professionals ...
NADSP Policy Update Regarding Federal Shutdown October 2025

NADSP Policy Update Regarding Federal Shutdown October 2025

Dear Direct Support Professionals, The government shutdown seems to be about one thing. There are some folks in Congress that ...
What Hurts Most About This Week’s Autism “Discovery”

What Hurts Most About This Week’s Autism “Discovery”

Written by Gary Blumenthal, Public Policy and Communications Advisor I’ve lived my whole life as the brother of Steven Phillip ...
NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Carol Stank

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Carol Stank

Congratulations to Carol Stank​ who has been selected as the September 2025 NADSP E-Badge Academy Earner of the Month. We ...
NADSP Board Rejects Trump Administration Comments on Autism

NADSP Board Rejects Trump Administration Comments on Autism

The Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) rejects recent comments from senior federal officials ...
Let's Talk: Beyond Companionship: How Dogs Support People To Thrive

Let’s Talk: Beyond Companionship: How Dogs Support People To Thrive

The numerous roles that a dog can play in a person’s life is ever evolving and growing beyond “man’s best ...
Let's Talk: The Art of Connection: Establishing and Repairing Rapport in Direct Support Settings

Let’s Talk: The Art of Connection: Establishing and Repairing Rapport in Direct Support Settings

Rapport is not just “nice to have,” it is the foundation upon which all effective support is built. This is ...
A group of diverse individuals, including someone in a wheelchair, engaged in a collaborative meeting in a cozy room setting. They are actively sharing and discussing ideas.

DSPs & The Development Of An Individualized Plan

The following article is part of an ongoing series about the NADSP Competency Areas. The NADSP Competency Areas offer DSPs ...
2025 John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership Honoree: Bonnie Jean Brooks

2025 John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership Honoree: Bonnie Jean Brooks

The John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership Bonnie Jean Brooks (2025) The National Alliance ...
BJ Stasio, Hingsburger Humanitarian Award 2025 Honoree

BJ Stasio, Hingsburger Humanitarian Award 2025 Honoree

  The Dave Hingsburger Humanitarian Award BJ Stasio (2025) The NADSP is proud to recognize BJ Stasio with the Hingsburger Humanitarian ...
2025 NADSP Conference: ELEVATE Schedule

2025 NADSP Conference: ELEVATE Schedule

The 2025 NADSP Conference: ELEVATE is shaping up to be our biggest conference yet! We’ve added more breakout sessions, which ...
Let's Talk: Summertime and The Living Should Be Easy: Supporting People with Significant Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Summer Activities

Let’s Talk: Summertime and The Living Should Be Easy: Supporting People with Significant Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Summer Activities

This month’s Let’s Talk is all about the current season. Summer. Pools. Beaches. Cookouts. Camping. Summer is often seen as ...