Effective Relationships with Teams
DirectCourse: Effective Relationships with Teams
The College of Direct Support
An important part of a direct support professional’s (DSP) role is to build and sustain effective partnerships with the people they work with and their support networks. DSPs often work with a variety of professionals, family, friends, and other supporters. They need to be able to solve problems to be effective team members. They must also be able to manage conflict. DSPs need to know how to communicate with others across different settings. Frontline supervisors (FLSs) also play a role in this. They are mentors and models for DSPs. Content in the College of Direct Support (CDS) teaches how to build relationships that support quality services. The College of Frontline Supervision, Management, and Leadership (CFSM) explores how the FLS can support effective team relationships. Below is a sample of CDS and CFSM lessons that could be useful to DSPs and FLSs on these topics.
Cultural Competence: Culturally Competent Communication
Communication is an important part of effective relationships. It is also influenced by a person’s culture. This lesson helps the DSPs gain awareness of these differences. It teaches how to support relationships through effective communication. This lesson could help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Planning Activities.
The Direct Support Profession: DSP Roles with Multidisciplinary Teams
People supported may receive support from professionals and others who are important to them. This lesson explores the roles of these multidisciplinary teams. It teaches DSPs how to partner with the person and their support team. This lesson could help learners earn NADSP E-Badges related to person-centered practices.
Working with Families and Support Networks: Creating Partnerships with Support Network Members
Direct support may include working with family members and other supporters. In this lesson, DSPs learn the skills needed to build partnerships with the support networks of people they work with. This lesson could also help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Planning Activities.
Working with Families and Support Networks: Problem Solving within Support Networks
Being part of a support team includes solving problems, working through conflicts, and building respectful partnerships. This lesson teaches DSPs skills that support success in these areas. This lesson could help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Community Networking.
The College of Frontline Supervision, Management, and Leadership
Supervision and Leadership: Teamwork
Frontline supervisors (FLSs) play a key role in building supportive workplaces with the DSPs they supervise. They can be mentors and model effective partnerships with internal and external teams. This lesson helps FLSs learn to develop healthy teams. This content could help learners earn the NADSP FLS E-Badge for Team Meetings.