Thirtieth Anniversary Issue on Progress and Priorities in Direct Support

Frontline Initiative connects direct support professionals to issues that matter by telling stories, sharing best practices, and sharing resources that are important to their work

Chet Tschetter and Julie Kramme are co-editors of Frontline Initiative. They can be reached at frontline-dsp@umn.edu

Julie Kramme and Chet Tschetter

Reflecting on Progress and Priorities in Direct Support

Frontline Initiative (FI) has been connecting direct support professionals (DSPs) to issues that matter for 30 years. In all that time, there has been progress in supporting people to live, learn about, and enjoy their communities in the ways they choose, but many priorities still need to be addressed—and for three decades, Frontline Initiative has reflected it all. Importantly, many people still experience barriers to living in their community because they lack access to well-trained, consistent DSPs. While direct support is now more widely recognized as a profession, many DSPs still lack professional recognition, a living wage, and sustainable benefits. This issue of the magazine reflects on progress on many topics covered in the first 30 years of FI and identifies barriers that need to be addressed in the future. This issue emphasizes voices of DSPs, people supported, family members, and other professionals. In fact, this 30th anniversary issue of FI includes 30 articles.

In this issue, DSPs Geeter Lowe and Angie Cobble reflect on supporting people over decades—from an institution to workshops to supporting people’s choices about where to live and work. FI co-editors Chet Tschetter and Julie Kramme describe opportunities to use FI in professional practice. FI Editorial Board Members Tony Anderson and Lisa Burke reflect back over decades of FI issues on what has changed—and what has not—and they encourage the next generation of leaders in direct support. Tony Anderson also provides a timeline of milestones in the language used in our field—and a reminder that progress does not guarantee permanence. Amy Hewitt and Joe Macbeth reflect on progress in the field of direct support and at the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, and they identify priorities that still need attention.

DSPs Chad Alford, Denis Oswe, and Melinda Denise describe their work in direct support, growing as professionals, and what they hope for their future in direct support. Kris Foss explains how Ability Beyond has developed career paths and credential opportunities for DSPs to advance their skills, earn a wage increase and new title, and keep committed DSPs employed. John Raffaele points to the importance of professional development and education, and pathways to find resources. Michelle Murphy emphasizes professional recognition.

BJ Stasio reflects on how DSPs become part of his team. DSPs come alongside him. He realized when he doesn't have access to DSPs to support him, he may miss out. Katie McDermott and Georgann Rumsey name many accomplishments from self-advocates and parent advocates. DSP Nick Smith and Chelsea Lutts envision a future where DSPs are integrally involved and encouraged to participate in advocacy.

Being able to choose where and with whom people receiving support live and work are key priorities from the last 30 years, and where attention is still needed. Max and Joy Donatelli describe how their son and his friends live with support in a community they chose. Kim Contrevo interviewed Kathy and Johnny Walker about their story of meeting, falling in love, getting married, and supporting one another in sobriety. DSP Amber Kram identified Brian Hiljus’ interests and developed a community job with an employer—when no one else thought Brian could work. Melissa Steel describes being a peer mentor for job seekers with disabilities . David Liscombe shared in two FI articles written 14 years apart about the importance of DSPs in his circle of support in handling important life matters and milestones.

DSPs are supporting people in new directions with high priorities. Nick Fillarelli describes how remote support and technologies are being used with direct support provided by DSPs at Core Services. Jerry Smith highlights how DSPs show up for people in crisis, as people are living with greater independence in their communities. Nicole DamaPoleto emphasizes how all DSPs need cultural humility, and how DSPs and FLSs need to see themselves reflected in leadership. Marian Fratterola-Saulino tells how self-managing teams support autonomy at Values in Action among DSPs and people supported. Tony Thomas reflects on how teamwork is essential in direct support.

The Direct Support Workforce Update focuses on issues we need to talk about—Medicaid funding cuts, learning about revisions to the NADSP Code of Ethics, and advocacy for a standard occupational classification for direct support professionals. DirectCourse Connect provides DirectCourse training resources that help DSPs and FLSs learn more and seek badges in the E-Badge Academy. Finally, we take a moment to remember our friend, colleague, and previous FI author, John Good Smith.

A Closer Look Podcast

Listen to 12 episodes of A Closer Look—Frontline Initiative’s podcast—where hosts Chet Tschetter and Julie Kramme talk with authors from the magazine's latest issue about their experiences and best practices for supporting people. A Closer Look is available on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and many other places to access podcast content. Follow to receive alerts when new podcasts become available. [LT3]

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