Michelle Chu is a seasoned program and community builder with over a decade of dedication towards fostering inclusion and connecting people to essential resources. Currently, she works in the Community Connections department at Job Path, where her efforts are directed towards supporting adults with autism and other disabilities. Michelle plays an integral role in the Guac Committee, which stands for Growth, Unity, Accessibility, and Community, working tirelessly to create an inclusive workplace at Job Path. With a unique background in improvisational theater and extensive experience in tech and design operations, Michelle brings innovative approaches to her social work, making people feel understood and encouraging community growth.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise speaks with Michelle Chu, an extraordinary program builder dedicated to supporting adults with autism and other disabilities at Job Path. Michelle delves into her role as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and shares her unique perspective, incorporating her background in improvisational theater into her social work. The conversation explores Michelle’s innovative approaches to community building and the impact of fostering inclusivity in workplaces, setting the tone for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and rewards of being a DSP.

Michelle insights reveal the emotional depth and commitment required in the DSP role, describing it as more than just a job, but a vocation filled with meaningful connections and personal growth. The episode uncovers both the rewarding experiences and the challenges faced by DSPs, highlighting Michelle's creative solutions, such as adapting games like Uno to assist participants in expressing their emotions. Throughout the podcast, valuable keywords such as "fostering inclusion," "creative expression," "emotional connection," and "community growth" echo the essence of Michelle's impactful work. Her ability to transform daily interactions into profound experiences underpins the core theme of the episode, focusing strongly on empowerment and self-direction within the communities she supports.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) is about empowering people to achieve personal goals.
• Michelle Chu leverages her improvisational theater background to create innovative solutions that facilitate emotional expression for those with disabilities.
• Building strong support systems and maintaining open communication with team members and families are vital for successfully overcoming challenges in the DSP role.
• Recognizing and celebrating small wins can significantly affirm the importance and impact of a DSP's work, offering deep professional satisfaction.
• Emotional resilience, combined with creativity, can transform everyday interactions into meaningful growth opportunities for individuals and communities.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I think for me, definitely one of the most rewarding, because who would have thought that you could take a deck of Uno and turn it into, like, a vehicle for helping somebody better communicate how they feel emotionally?"
2. "I really think that the participants we serve are capable of so much more than they're given credit for."
3. "Sometimes it's just like a gentle nudge to do something that we don't know is a possibility that makes it happen."
4. "At the end of the day, what I most care about is making sure my team felt supported."
5. "I think the heart of being a DSP is really empowering them to feel like they can do it."

Resources:

• JobPath : Home - Job Path NYC

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Geneira Poulis is a seasoned Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) with over 14 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities. She has served in various pivotal roles, ranging from Assistant Program Director to Program Director, and is now dedicated to fostering person-centered, equitable behavior support. Geneira 's approach is deeply informed by her firsthand experiences with systemic injustice. Holding a Master’s of Social Work from Stony Brook University, she uniquely blends clinical expertise with a strong commitment to social justice, aiming to empower both the individuals served and the professionals who support them.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise engages in a rich dialogue with Geneira Poulis, a respected Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS), to explore the critical role that Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play in the development and execution of behavior intervention plans. Geneira emphasizes the importance of including DSPs in the creation process, describing them as the 'backbone' of behavior support plans, and illustrating how their firsthand experiences, insights, and daily interactions with individuals can significantly enhance the efficacy and relevance of these plans.

Geneira Poulis provides an innovative perspective on empowering DSPs through collaboration and inclusion in the planning process. By underscoring the importance of fostering environments where DSPs can actively contribute, ask questions, and feel valued, Geneira outlines strategies to bridge the gap between clinical teams and direct support staff. This approach not only improves behavioral outcomes but also nurtures professional growth and satisfaction among DSPs. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in the field of developmental disabilities, offering practical advice and key strategies for improving team collaboration and client care.

Key Takeaways:

• DSPs are the "backbone" of behavior support plans, providing crucial insights from their close work with individuals.
• Collaboration between DSPs and clinicians is essential for crafting effective, real-world interventions that cater to individuals’ specific needs.
• Empowering DSPs through dialogue and understanding the why behind behavior plans enhances their ability to implement these plans effectively.
• The inclusion of DSP experiences and observations in behavioral planning fosters a sense of pride and ownership, leading to better adherence and outcomes.

Notable Quotes from Geneira Poulis:

• " I often feel like they're [DSPs] the writers and the behavior intervention specialists are the editors.."
• "An observation gives us a snapshot, but the DSP gives us the whole picture. They're able to paint everything they see."
• "When we include them in creating the plan, it gives them a certain kind of pride behind the plan."
• "A strong, trusting relationship between the DSP and the people that they're supporting always gives positive behavior outcomes."
• "Make collaboration a built-in part of your system and not an afterthought."

Discover more about creating effective behavior support strategies and empowering those on the front lines by tuning in to the full episode. Stay engaged for more enlightening content from DSP Talk, where we continue to explore pivotal topics in the developmental disabilities field.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Meagher-Zayas is the founder and chief strategist of Equity Warrior Strategies LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to advancing equity and social justice within the nonprofit and social impact sectors. With over 14 years of experience, Jonathan specializes in capacity building, leadership development, community engagement, and DEI strategy. He is a queer Latinx nonprofit leader, a social work adjunct professor, a certified fundraiser, a certified diversity professional, and a doctoral candidate focused on critical pedagogy in nonprofit leadership.

Episode Summary:

Join Asheley Blaise as she welcomes Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, a prominent leader in advocating for equity and inclusion in nonprofits. This episode delves into the pervasive issue of ableism in workplaces, particularly for individuals with developmental disabilities, and explores strategies for creating inclusive environments. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of recognizing inherent biases, co-creating solutions, and shifting organizational culture to promote genuine belonging.

Throughout the episode, Jonathan shares valuable insights into the common misconceptions that employers and the public have about people with developmental disabilities, including assumptions about competency and the notion that accommodations are costly. He advocates for the power of language and the role it plays in either reinforcing or dismantling stigma. With educational examples from organizations like AHRC Nassau, Jonathan illustrates how effective advocacy and inclusion efforts can transform communities and workplaces. The conversation also highlights the continuous journey of self-improvement and actionable steps that allies can take to combat ableism.

Key Takeaways:

• Cultural Transformation: True inclusion transcends policy changes and is deeply rooted in shifting organizational culture.
• Co-Creation and Leadership: Involving people with disabilities in decision-making processes is crucial to developing impactful strategies against ableism.
• Language and Representation: The ways we communicate and represent individuals can either reinforce stigma or foster belonging.
• Continuous Learning: Addressing ableism requires an ongoing commitment to education and unlearning of societal biases.

Notable Quotes:

• "If employers really want to center people with disabilities, they need to co-create solutions together."
• "Belonging is a human need…language helps us connect, understand, and create that belonging."
• "Giving grace is going soft on the person but hard on the problem."
• "If you are most impacted by ableism in the workplace, you have the most expertise and perspective to share, how to better address it."

Resources:

• Equity Warrior Strategies LLC
• AHRC Nassau NYS Community of Practice on DEI

Encouraging you to dive into this insightful episode, it's clear there's much to learn and reflect upon when it comes to inclusion and equity. Stay tuned for more discussions on DSP Talk as we continue to explore ways to better our communities and workplaces.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.