Let’s Talk: ..Who Advocates for the Advocates? What Burnout Can Teach Us About Supporting Families and DSPs

Families and DSPs may have different roles but share a common mission. They both want individuals with disabilities to be safe, valued, included, and given every opportunity to thrive. We celebrate milestones, navigate challenges, and show up day after day because we care deeply about the people we support. However, this raises an important question. Who advocates for us? Perhaps even more importantly: How do we find a balance between advocating for others and caring for ourselves? Too often, caregivers and helping professionals become so focused on meeting the needs of others that they ignore their own needs. Over time, this can contribute to burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion.

On this month’s Let’s Talk webinar, John Raffaele, NADSP Director of Educational Services, will chat with Ama Brew, Founder of The Parent Forge, to discuss her article, “Who Advocates for the Advocates? What Burnout Can Teach Us About Supporting Families and DSPs.“

This webinar is a companion to the most recent International Journal for Direct Support Professionals issue. ASL interpretation and closed captions will be available during the webinar. To review previous issues of The International Journal for Direct Support Professionals, click here.