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Moving Mountains Best Practices
2005-2006 Award Winner
Stars Program
The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, Aberdeen, Maryland
The Stars program is an employee incentive program designed to increase
the value of and respect for Direct Support Professionals by creating
a career track for them within The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region.
It is also a way for the organization to recognize and reward employees
for their outstanding achievement and commitment in the role of Direct
Support Professionals (DSPs).
The Arc began work on the program in 2001 because many DSPs had
indicated that, although they love providing direct supports, they were
disappointed with the lack of career advancement for DSPs at the agency.
A team of employees, including direct support staff, began studying
the situation, and over a period of time designed the Stars Program. This
career advancement and DSP recognition program gives employees the
opportunity to receive tuition benefits, enhance their professional skills,
and receive advanced training in the developmental disabilities field. The
program was implemented in January 2003.
The Stars program offers a three-tiered career track for DSPs at The
Arc with a cash incentive for each tier level achieved. Within those tracks
is the opportunity to grow professionally through either advanced skill
training or formal education programs. Each Stars participant must also
assemble a portfolio to demonstrate his/her educational or training
achievements and mastery of the Community Support Skill Standards.
The Portfolio is designed to illustrate, in a comprehensive way, the
many skills, values and attitudes that each participant contributes in
his/her daily work supporting people with disabilities in achieving their
desired outcomes. A portfolio must be assembled for each tier of the
program. The portfolio process offers Stars participants the opportunity
to shape and direct their own learning and assessment experience by
selecting examples of their real work products that show proficiency in
required competencies and their relation to the desired outcomes of the
people they support.
Ultimately The Arc's purpose is to improve the lives of and outcomes
for the people that the organization supports. To accomplish this goal,
The Arc needs competent and highly-committed DSPs. The organization
believes that the Stars Program is a good recruitment tool for bringing
the very best DSPs to The Arc. In addition, The Arc provides increased
opportunities for professional development and education to help direct
support staff stay longer and provide better supports to persons with
developmental disabilities.
For more information, please contact: Cindy Lindgren, Stars Administrator,
The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, 4513 Philadelphia Road,
Aberdeen, Maryland 21001; Phone: 410-836-7177 Ext. 386, Fax: 410-
893-3909, E-mail: clindgren@arcncr.org.
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Credentialing
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The NADSP has developed a national credentialing program for Direct Support professionals working in community human services.
Credentialing Info
News Release
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