Congrats to the NADSP E-Badge Academy Graduates
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Frontline Supervisors (FLS) were recognized for achieving National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Certification – a national standard that reflects their commitment to excellence, ethics, and person-centered support.
To the tune of Pomp and Circumstance, newly certified employees made their way down the aisle, cheered on by family members, coworkers and agency leadership who were there to celebrate this achievement.
“This program is not easy,” said Stanfort Perry, CEO, in an address to the graduates “It is rigorous by design. It’s meant to challenge you, to grow you and to raise the standard of professional direct support. It demands your time, your self-reflection, your determination, and through it all, you persevered.”
Among the graduates were Lisa Drake, Shoreham ICF Assistant House Manager, and Sabrina Cenite, Shoreham ICF DSP. Sabrina likes to write, and she enjoyed submitting the testimonials. And Lisa said she learned a lot through this process.
“The summaries are related to what we would do,” said Sabrina. “When you support and care for people, it all ties into community, medical, and all that. You tie it into what we’re doing.”
Lisa and Sabrina reflected on their skills, gained new insights to share with newer team members, and, like all program graduates, will receive benefits such as a pay increase.
The E-Badge Academy, according to the NADSP website, is a way for DSPs and FLSs to receive recognition for the on-the-job competencies they demonstrate by submitting testimonials or training transcripts. It is not a training, education, or curriculum program, but rather a display of professional skills needed to best support people with I/DD.
“Our sole purpose of our organization is to elevate Direct Support Professionals and to help more people recognize that you are professionals,” said Kathy Brown, Regional Manager of NADSP E-Badge Academy, in her address to the graduates.
The certifications obtained by DSPs and FLSs across the country, Kathy added, reflect the scope and complexity of their work in providing supports across health care, behavioral needs, community inclusion, and daily living. These professionals have met a national standard that recognizes the skills they use every day in the care and support of others.
Join us in celebrating the following team members who achieved NADSP Certification:
NADSP Certification Graduates:
FLSs:
- Rachelle Demosthene
- Ozge Karapinar
- Alexis Stancil
Certified DSPs:
- Corretta Brown
- Connie Buckhannon
- Sabrina Cenite
- Keltoum Conklin
- Hanna Hippner Wasilewski
- Ozge Karapinar
- Alexis Stancil
- Camille Williams
- Kia Wright
Completed DSP II:
- Daphney Henry