Resources
Guides, reports, and more to help you elevate the status of DSPsThe 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.
Let’s Talk: Flipping the Switch: Compassion Fatigue to Compassion Satisfaction and Psychological Safety for Direct Support Professionals
This month’s International Journal for Direct Support Professionals article discusses compassion fatigue among direct support professionals (DSPs) and highlights the ...
Webinar: Informing Workforce Development Strategies: The DSP Experience Inside and Outside the Workplace
Many people in the IDD field began their careers as direct support professionals, so they understand some of the experiences ...
Let’s Talk: Sexuality and Healthy Relationship Knowledge is Power
Many Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) often wonder whether they should discuss sexuality and healthy relationships. Some DSPs may not view ...
Let’s Talk: Balancing Joy, Boundaries, and Belonging: The Ethical Role of DSPs in Holiday Celebration and Connection
The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and honoring traditions, but it can also present unique challenges, particularly ...
Let’s Talk: Aging and Sensory Loss: Considerations for Direct Support Professionals
This month’s Let’s Talk webinar discussion emphasizes the importance of awareness and recognition of vision and hearing changes as we ...
Let’s Talk: Mitigating Risk – How DSPs Can Promote Safety and Autonomy
In a 2023 International Journal for Direct Support Professionals article, Hickey and Kariunas discuss cases where individuals with disabilities want ...
Let’s Talk: Trust and Decision Making
Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have experienced actual harm—both intentional and, more often, unintentional—at the hands of ...
Let’s Talk: Building Knowledge About Dementia and Adults with an Intellectual Disability
This month’s Let’s Talk webinar will explore working with aging populations. Our population is aging, and this includes individuals with intellectual ...
Let’s Talk: Clinical Philosophy: Bridging Theory and Direct Support Practice
This month’s Let’s Talk webinar will explore the concept of clinical philosophy in direct support practice. Think of clinical philosophy ...
Let’s Talk: The Transformative Potential of Expressive Arts Therapy – REPLAY
Due to an unforeseen circumstance, "Let's Talk: Process-Focused Programming,” has been postponed. In place of this webinar, we will be ...
Free Virtual LGBTQIA+Trainings: Proud & Supported -2024
The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities has generously awarded a three year grant to the National Alliance for ...
Let’s Talk: Psychological Safety and Direct Support Professionals
This month’s Let’s Talk webinar will explore how direct support professionals can develop psychological safety within their teams. What is ...
