DSPs Gain Leadership Skills & Empowerment

Bridget Siljander and Lindsay Short, President and Vice President of NADSP's Minnesota chapter DSPAM (Direct Support Professional Association of MN), were part of the inaugural class of the Direct Care Alliance's Voices Institute at the DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin May 19-24, 2008. Here are Siljander's reflections on the Voices Institute.

The Direct Care Alliance sponsored the Voices Institute to support DSPs in developing their leadership skills and learning about community organizing, coalition-building, fundraising, issue campaigns, and organizational development.

Our class of 25 direct care workers from 12 states came together like a family during this week and formed a strong union that will continue to be supportive as we all go forward as smarter and stronger leaders. We have formed an online community through the networking site, Bebo.com, and a committee of attendees will organize a follow-up web seminar for our class.

I urge any Direct Support Professional who has a desire to contribute to workforce empowerment and development to apply to be a part of next year's Voices Institute. It was a life-changing experience for many in our class, including us. We will take what we learned and apply it in our work for DSPAM and NADSP. There is financial support available, which makes this opportunity very accessible for DSPs. As a Home Health Aide, I was able to attend.

Several of our trainers are affiliated with PHI. Please visit this posting on PHI's blog that was written about the class.

I hope that all of you DSPs who want to do more will contact the Direct Care Alliance by going to their website and letting them know you are interested in being a part of the next Voices Institute. And of course, if you are not already, I encourage you to join your state NADSP chapter.

Best wishes,
Bridget Siljander
bridgetsiljander@yahoo.com