Chet Tschetter

Every day, direct support professionals (DSPs) make significant decisions affecting the lives of the people they support. But it can be hard for DSPs to make decisions when they are doing something…

This 11-minute webinar addresses COVID-19 vaccinations for direct support professionals. Topics include: The reasons why people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are more vulnerable …

A newsletter issue recognizing the changing role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP). This issue highlights public policies that can support the changing role of DSPs, and ways they support …

Susan O’Nell, Aja Owens, and Stan Schmidt talk about mental health and the benefits of having a wellness recovery action plan. Below are links to some helpful resources and sources cited in this …

This issue is dedicated to direct support professionals and all they have endured since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes stories from self-advocates, family members, health care …

Dupree once struggled with tasks like cooking, cleaning, and daily living skills. He felt DSPs gave up on him, but things started to get better when Miss Gail came into the picture. She taught …

Planning for retirement isn’t something often done by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but David Liscomb isn’t like most people. As he was approaching retirement, he …

When direct support professionals (DSPs) support people, each life stage presents different opportunities and challenges. As people age, their decisions and bodies may change. DSPs' frequent …

Olivia Kaplan is a life success coach at Carey Services in Indiana. She tells how her organization implemented trauma-informed care, what it took to train staff, and how trauma-informed care …

The work of direct support includes many people. Direct support professionals (DSPs) work on teams with the people they support, other DSPs, supervisors, family members or friends of the people …

Successful teams include new person-centered ideas in the meetings, work routines, and trainings that already occur within HCBS. This module will share how teams have been able to work smarter, …

Samantha (Sam) Hedden, MSc Ed, discusses how direct support professionals (DSPs) can become more resilient and why this is important. DSPs continue to face increased stress in their roles serving …

Nick Smith is a master of looking past the barriers and seeing the possibilities. As a seasoned direct support professional (DSP), he has developed the skill of really listening to what the people …

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are accustomed to speaking up for the wants and needs of the people they support. In this episode, Nick Smith shares his story of speaking up for himself and …

This issue is on direct support professionals (DSPs) supporting people’s employment. Many people with disabilities experience barriers in getting the job they want. This can be discouraging. This …

Work stress and burnout can impact the quality of support that DSPs provide. Hosts Mark Olson and Chet Tschetter talk about their own work experiences as DSPs and how they approach wellness from a …

Direct support professionals (DSPs) have been through a lot this past year. Through a global pandemic, natural disasters, social unrest, and personal distress, they’ve stepped up as they always do …

This issue of Frontline Initiative is about making a career in direct support. Direct support professionals (DSPs) report on why and how they have accomplished this. People supported and their …

A report describing Developing and Engaging Training on Person-Centered and Family-Centered Approaches in Mental Health and Co-occurring Disorders , a training project that ICI performed for the …

Frontline Initiative author LeAnn Bieber talks about how using tools such as a Health Care Person-Centered Profile and a one-page description can make a positive difference in how a medical …

Technology has greatly impacted our lives and culture in recent years. For direct support professionals (DSPs), the use of technology at work has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. DSPs can …

Once the assessment is complete, teams will choose a simple set of actions that can be completed by working smarter, not harder, and by considering the work that is already being done within the …

Host Chet Tschetter discusses what “A Closer Look” is and what the listeners can expect. In this podcast, we will talk with the authors of recent issues of Frontline Initiative and really dig in …

A newsletter issue promoting self-care for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). To assist the people they support, DSPs must also take care of their own needs, health, and wellness. Incorporating …

Michelle Murphy left the corporate world 19 years ago and became a direct support professional (DSP) when her sister strongly suggested she come to work with her at her workshop job. Michelle is …

Each HCBS provider is unique. A completed assessment will reflect the strengths of existing services as well as what can be done to improve outcomes for people. Different approaches are used to …

DSP Anthony Grindstaff, Larry Williams, and Susan Arwood share how enabling technology has changed Larry’s life for the better and how a visit from the Tennessee Governor’s wife, Maria Lee, …

The team assesses how ready the staff and people supported are in working together to improve HCBS. Everyone is involved in improving outcomes for HCBS. For this reason, it is important to make …

This issue explores diverse and lesser-heard voices among direct support professionals. Authors include DSPs who are autistic, Deaf, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and immigrants…

Two-time Frontline Initiative author Zoe Korengold, who is on the support response team (SRT) at Lionsgate Academy, reflects on how they handle situations with students who are experiencing big …

Providers are already expected to report on HCBS outcomes related to people receiving services. The goal of this module is to help teams consider what data are already being collected, brainstorm …

This issue of Frontline Initiative focuses on developing awareness, knowledge, and skills for supporting healthy relationships. It also includes information about tools and resources that direct...

In 30 years, there has been progress in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, learn about, and enjoy their communities in the ways they choose, but many …

Our guest is Amy Hewitt, Ph.D., director of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. Amy explains that as direct support professionals, you have to fight for what you …

Lynda Lahti Anderson, a researcher from the University of Minnesota, talks about wellness and flourishing and the importance of a holistic approach to self-care. Links to additional resources: …

This module provides an overview for improving person-centered outcomes in HCBS. Major terms are introduced and details about the training are described. The goal is not to teach how to master a …

Every provider experiences challenges while providing HCBS. These challenges make it harder to improve person-centered outcomes. This module explains how staff attrition, lack of resources, and …

The pandemic brought direct support professionals’ role of supporting peoples’ health and wellness to the forefront. DSPs had to slow down, take more precautions, and learn new ways to maintain …

Jenny Breen has been a professional chef and advocate for sustainable food systems and food justice, and has worked directly with farmers and producers in the Twin Cities area, since the mid-1980s …

Megan Russell has supported Jay as a direct support professional (DSP) for the past 10 years. In this episode, Megan talks about her experience at the NADSP Advocacy Symposium where she learned …

A quiet revolution began over a decade ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where the spirit of innovation transforms lives at Black Hills Works . At the heart of this change is the Technology …

Direct support professionals (DSPs) advocate regularly with the people they support. This issue of Frontline Initiative argues that DSPs now need to speak up for themselves and their profession— …

This module tells how to create a team who will improve services. There are many different types of HCBS, which means that teams will look different across providers. This module helps you consider…