• Project Coordinator
Email
olso4541@umn.edu
Phone
+1 612-626-2020
Address
Masonic Institute on the Developing Brain
Rm 1-305B1a [map]
2025 E River Pkwy
MInneapolis, MN 55414

Mark received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in music from the University of Minnesota, Morris. He currently holds the position of Project Coordinator at the Institute on Community Integration where he writes curriculum and provides training to people who provide direct support. Certified as a Person Centered Thinking Trainer he provides individuals and organizations guidance on becoming more person-centered in their approach. Throughout his career, he has provided service to people with disabilities in recreation and inclusion, residential and daily living skills, vocational skills, and advocacy. In addition, he has worked in frontline management in the non-profit industry. His key policy interests include health care, disability, education, workforce recognition and development, civic engagement, human rights and the environment. He is past Chair of the Minnesota State Advocacy Committee for the American Heart Association. He is past president of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. Over the past 30 years, much of his energy has been directed at making sure the frontline direct support professional has the tools needed to make the greatest impact on the lives of the people they support.

Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Projects

Project

DSP Workforce Development Program [Archived]

Provided state-of-the-art resources to help people with disabilities and their families find and retain quality Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Specifically, the program updated and marketed …

Project

Minnesota DHS Systems Change and Capacity Building Through Research, Training, and Technical Assistance Projects

Conducts research, training and technical assistance activities that enhance Minnesota's capacity to support community living for individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness. Primary areas …

Project

Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion

The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion at the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, connects artists with disabilities with organizations throughout the Twin Cities …

Project

Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL)

Conducts a wide range of research, training, and technical assistance and dissemination projects related to community supports under its center grant and related project funding. The RTC-CL is …

Project

RISP: National Residential Information Systems Project: Data Collection and Information Dissemination on Residential and In Home Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (RISP)

Examines the status of, and longitudinal trends in, provision of institutional and home and community based long-term supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabiliti…

Products

Wellness Matters for Direct Support: Episode 3: Supporting Mental Health

Susan O’Nell, Aja Owens, and Stan Schmidt talk to hosts Mark Olson and Chet Tschetter about mental health and the benefits of having a wellness recovery action plan. Below are links to some …

Published: 4/11/2023

Self-Advocacy Online

A multimedia resource providing information important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that is accessible to all. The content is translated into understandable language …

Published: 2012-Present

Wellness Matters for Direct Support: Episode 2: Promoting Resilience in Direct Support

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

Published: 2/22/2023

Wellness Matters for Direct Support: Episode 00 (Maiden Edition)

This maiden episode of Wellness Matters for Direct Support is an introduction to the podcast. The presenters, Mark Olson and Chet Tschetter, chat about their work experiences as DSPs and how they …

Published: November 2022

Wellness Matters for Direct Support: Episode 1: Wellness and Flourishing and the Importance of a Holistic Approach to Self-Care

Please join us as we talk with Lynda Lahti Anderson from the University of Minnesota about wellness and flourishing and the importance of a holistic approach to self-care. Links to additional …

Published: 2/17/2023

Topics

  • Direct support workforce
    • Supervision and mentoring
    • Workforce development strategies
    • Training
  • Community life
    • Civil rights
    • Community supports and services
    • Person-centered planning and practices
    • Recreation and leisure
    • Self-advocacy and self-determination
    • Social inclusion
  • Housing and residential services
    • Community group residential
    • Consumer/self-directed services
  • Employment and postsecondary education
    • Day training and habilitation
    • Employment and workforce development
    • Supported employment
  • Specific disability
    • Intellectual/developmental disability (IDD)

Activities

  • Training and professional development
  • Technical assistance