DSW Symposium in Baltimore May 8 & 9, 2008

On May 8 and 9, 2008, I had an opportunity to be a part of the National Symposium on Strengthening the HCBS Direct Service Workforce in Baltimore. What a nice location to participate in an event such as this. The event provided a forum for showcasing best practices in home-and community-based direct service workforce development, highlighted Federal and state workforce initiatives, and disseminated research findings. A primary theme of the event was the importance of addressing workforce issues across age and disability consumer populations.The DSW Resource Center Team organized each detail from start to finish meticulously. Attendees came from all parts of the US. They included self advocates, Direct Support Professionals, Directors, CEOs, and others representing and supporting the direct support workforce.
What about the hotel and it's skywalk to the innerharbor? Despite the rain and overcast weather, it allowed participants to discuss and hear about major direct service workforce issues and highlights present within each of our working environments.
Participating in this Symposium as a member of the DSW symposium planning committee, a NADSP board member, and a longtime direct support professional, I obtained much insight from the sessions I attended. As a DSP, I had an opportunity to share my experiences and highlights and learn from others as well. This in turn will be internalized within my working enterprise in Albuquerque. In addition, I chatted with people visiting us at the National Alliance for Direct Support professionals (NADSP) information booth which offered literature and tools along with great company.