Joseph Macbeth: Joseph Macbeth, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), boasts over 40 years of experience in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field. He began his career as a direct support professional and has become a prominent leader in workforce advocacy. Joe has significantly contributed to the advancement of direct support initiatives, particularly in New York and has been pivotal in establishing NADSP as a national movement representing over 60,000 professionals. Among his notable achievements are co-authoring a presidential report on the direct support workforce crisis and developing the E-badge Academy. Additionally, he serves on various national boards and committees, including a presidential appointment to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID).

Episode Summary:

In this 2-part episode of DSP Talk, host Ashley Blaise engages in a meaningful conversation with Joseph Macbeth, an influential figure in the field of direct support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Joe shares insights from his extensive experience advocating for direct support professionals (DSPs), discussing the urgent need for policy changes that affect DSPs and their ability to provide essential services. He emphasizes the potential impact of impending Medicaid cuts and the importance of DSP-led advocacy to confront these challenges.

In an exploration filled with crucial insights, Joe Macbeth delves into significant policy issues facing DSPs today, highlighting the often invisible and undervalued status of these professionals. He elaborates on the profound effects of potential Medicaid cuts, advocating for direct support professionals to mobilize and advocate on their own behalf. Throughout the discussion, Joe underscores the vital role of DSPs in achieving quality care and the pressing need for proper recognition within the profession. The conversation further explores the necessity for systemic support, training, and direct involvement of DSPs in policy advocacy, emphasizing the role of personal stories in influencing legislative change.

Key Takeaways:

• Direct support professionals face potential setbacks due to proposed Medicaid cuts, which could impact both their livelihoods, and the quality of care provided.
• Joe Macbeth encourages DSPs to take charge and advocate for themselves, drawing a parallel to successful social justice movements led from within.
• Recognition and support for DSPs extend beyond monetary compensation to include career development, decision-making power, and strategic involvement in organizational processes.
• There is a critical need for a unique occupational classification for DSPs to ensure accurate workforce data, essential for informed policy decisions.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I see this as a social justice type of issue. People who support people with all types of disabilities need to be valued and respected as a true professional” – Joe Macbeth

2. "Honoring is a practice, not a performance." – Ashley Blaise

3. "Medicaid is not an entitlement. Medicaid feeds back into community and people with disabilities…contribute greatly to our communities." – Joe Macbeth

4. "Nobody's a good direct support professional on day one. It takes time to be a good direct support professional."– Joe Macbeth

Resources:

• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)
• Advocacy Center
• Disability Policy Forum

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

Joseph McBeth: Joseph McBeth, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), boasts over 40 years of experience in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field. He began his career as a direct support professional and has become a prominent leader in workforce advocacy. Joe has significantly contributed to the advancement of direct support initiatives, particularly in New York and has been pivotal in establishing NADSP as a national movement representing over 60,000 professionals. Among his notable achievements are co-authoring a presidential report on the direct support workforce crisis and developing the E-badge Academy. Additionally, he serves on various national boards and committees, including a presidential appointment to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID).

Episode Summary:

In this 2-part episode of DSP Talk, host Ashley Blaise engages in a meaningful conversation with Joseph McBeth, an influential figure in the field of direct support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Joe shares insights from his extensive experience advocating for direct support professionals (DSPs), discussing the urgent need for policy changes that affect DSPs and their ability to provide essential services. He emphasizes the potential impact of impending Medicaid cuts and the importance of DSP-led advocacy to confront these challenges.

In an exploration filled with crucial insights, Joe Macbeth delves into significant policy issues facing DSPs today, highlighting the often invisible and undervalued status of these professionals. He elaborates on the profound effects of potential Medicaid cuts, advocating for direct support professionals to mobilize and advocate on their own behalf. Throughout the discussion, Joe underscores the vital role of DSPs in achieving quality care and the pressing need for proper recognition within the profession. The conversation further explores the necessity for systemic support, training, and direct involvement of DSPs in policy advocacy, emphasizing the role of personal stories in influencing legislative change.

Key Takeaways:

• Direct support professionals face potential setbacks due to proposed Medicaid cuts, which could impact both their livelihoods, and the quality of care provided.
• Joe Macbeth encourages DSPs to take charge and advocate for themselves, drawing a parallel to successful social justice movements led from within.
• Recognition and support for DSPs extend beyond monetary compensation to include career development, decision-making power, and strategic involvement in organizational processes.
• There is a critical need for a unique occupational classification for DSPs to ensure accurate workforce data, essential for informed policy decisions.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I see this as a social justice type of issue. People who support people with all types of disabilities need to be valued and respected as a true professional” – Joe Macbeth

2. "Honoring is a practice, not a performance." – Ashley Blaise

3. "Medicaid is not an entitlement. Medicaid feeds back into community and people with disabilities…contribute greatly to our communities." – Joe Macbeth

4. "Nobody's a good direct support professional on day one. It takes time to be a good direct support professional."– Joe Macbeth

Resources:

• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)
• Advocacy Center
• Disability Policy Forum

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

Anthony Pappas: A seasoned Direct Support Professional with over 15 years of experience, Anthony Pappas is deeply involved in the realm of self-directed services for individuals with developmental disabilities. His unique approach incorporates creative elements such as music, songwriting, and creative writing to foster personal development and achieve person-centered goals. A musician, recording artist, and published author, Anthony has a rich history of collaborating with families and participants to cultivate meaningful and empowering support systems.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise delves into the transformative world of self-direction with Anthony Pappas, a Direct Support Professional who has an innovative approach to person-centered care. This episode focuses on the intricacies and benefits of self-direction as people with developmental disabilities are empowered to make significant life choices about their care, supported by a close-knit team of family and DSPs. Anthony shares his insights from over 15 years in this field, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, mutual respect, and collaboration between DSPs, participants, and families.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony highlights how working closely with families changes the traditional DSP role, offering a more personalized approach to care. Terms like "self-direction," "collaborative teams," and "individualized goals" permeate the discussion as Anthony reflects on his innovative methods, such as using music to enhance vocabulary and creative expression. The discussion underscores the challenges and rewarding moments of self-direction, showcasing real-life examples that emphasize empowering choice and finding common ground in decision-making processes.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-direction thrives on collaboration, creativity, and respecting personal choice, with the participant's voice central to decision-making.
• Effective communication between families and DSPs is crucial for successfully navigating challenges and fostering growth in participants.
• Utilizing creative approaches like music can significantly enhance personal development and engagement of individuals being supported.
• Compromise and flexibility are necessary for achieving shared goals and maintaining productive relationships between families and DSPs.
• Anthony's experiences illustrate the transformative power of self-direction in instilling independence and confidence in participants.

Resources:

• Book: Gifts From the Autistic Community - by Anthony Pappas
• Listening Workshop: Listen and Unwind - Contact AMPappas620@gmail.com

Definitions:

• Participant – In this episode, participant refers to the person being supported in self-directed services.
• FI – Fiscal Intermediary is the agency of records. The FI handles DSP onboarding, payroll, mandatory training of DSPs and families, as well as Human Resources needs such as tax information and health insurance benefits for the DSP. The FI ensures that all DSPs on the participant’s team, as well as the participant’s budget, are compliant with the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

Tune in to the full episode to deepen your understanding of person-centered care and see firsthand how the DSP Talk series uplifts the invaluable work of direct support professionals. Stay connected for more conversations that inspire and inform.

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