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.

Patrick works as a Residential Supervisor at Penn-Mar Human Services, in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Penn-Mar Human Services’ mission is to support people to live courageously in pursuit of their best life. To learn more, click here.

Patrick’s Experiences With The NADSP E-Badge Academy

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) recently asked Patrick about his experiences with the NADSP E-Badge Academy. The questions covered how he carries out his work as a direct support professional, 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 chose involved an individual who was intent on achieving their life goals. This posed a formidable challenge considering the uphill struggle this person could be in for, but then I thought in terms of the NADSP Code of Ethics where I commit to “promote self-determination in physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual pursuits.” So, in “recognizing that each individual has potential for lifelong learning and growth,” I supported them in helping to access resources and providing supports to assist in their journey to achieve those goals.

Why is this competency so important to DSPs?

Even the most seasoned DSP can fall into the trap of letting their own doubts about the ability of a person we support to actually “achieve” a goal, limit or impact the supports and encouragement we offer them.

How have you used this competency in your work?

The Nine Tenets are part of our daily practice in providing person-centered supports, developing relationships, and advocacy.

How can other DSPs replicate your practices?

Direct support professionals can replicate my practices by reading and committing to the NADSP Code of Ethics. By ensuring that they are being person centered in their work. Dedicating oneself to help others achieve their personal best by understanding the interests and goals of the individuals you support should be a guiding principle as a DSP.

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

For newer staff it is an invaluable wealth of knowledge from seasoned practitioners, shared through a multitude of topics relevant to the people we serve, whereas, for veteran staff, it can provide new perspectives and a fresh outlook on how to provide supports.

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

It benefits the people we support by including the perspectives and input of peers to the people we support throughout the curriculum, as well as, giving DSPs a guideline, in the form of the Code of Ethics.

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

I would be happy to continue on in the Frontline Supervisors’ curriculum.

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

I definitely feel more confident having gone through the program.  Even the task of sharing reflections helps to bolster confidence by showing how you can, and sometimes already have, put the content you’ve learned into practice.

How has NADSP E-Badge Academy given you credit for competency?

The NADSP E-Badge Academy has given me credit by awarding me badges for hours of online accredited learning and by awarding me badges for testimonials that demonstrate my competency and skills in the field of Direct Support.

Whether through learning new perspectives or brushing up on old techniques, my skill set has greatly improved as a direct result of the NADSP curriculum.