Wayne State University

MADSP Accomplishments to Date

The Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals is an energized group of individuals. With a membership of over 90 individuals, the MADSP Logo.Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals has:

  • Developed a website, mission statement, selected objectives, goals and defined related activities to meet the goal
  • Produced a sample Letter to the Editor that members can use to describe the importance of Direct Support Professionals and the increased need for our profession as forecasted by the US Department of Labor
  • Sponsored a workshop as part of our Brown Bag Lunch Series, and sponsored two training events by the Developmental Disabilities Institute's Empowerment Education Project
  • Agreed to serve as the Advisory Group to the federally-funded project: Empowerment Education: Consumer-driven training for Michigan Direct Support Professionals housed at the Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University
  • Discussed a variety of issues including voluntary credentialling, participation with The President’s Committee on Mental Retardation, self-advocacy, legislative education, and participating in conference planning committees to promote the continuing educational needs of Direct Support Professionals
  • Exchanged information and ideas with The National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals
  • Contributed information for an article on Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals for the newsletter of the Empowerment Education Project of Wayne State University's Developmental Disabilities Institute
  • Sponsored 10 members of the Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals to attend various conferences around the state concerning issues related to the profession
  • Sponsored the first Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Forum on October 13, 2000, at which 180 professionals and consumers attended. Issues related to recruitment and retention, and ideas for increasing wages and benefits were the focus, and comments were compiled into the Conference Proceedings.
  • Released for sale Conference Proceedings from the first Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Forum. Each person who attended received one as part of registration
  • The second Michigan Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Forum brought 104 people from 15 counties, and was held on October 12, 2001. Direct support professionals, self-advocates, family members, supervisors and administrators attended. It was co-sponsored by over 15 advocacy, self-advocacy, provider, trade, funder and university partners
  • Hosted a guest speaker at our April monthly meeting, Hollis Turnham, who facilitated a workshop on state and federal tax credits that benefit low wage workers. Ms. Turnham's work was part of an outreach effort sponsored by the Michigan Budget and Tax Policy Project of the Michigan League for Human Services with support from the Ford and Charles Stewart Mott Foundations and United Way
  • The third annual Direct Support Professionals Forum was attended by 75 people on October 11, 2002. Ten counties were represented. The format was changed to a luncheon, and many direct support professionals were recognized with certificates for their dedication to the profession. Members from the Community Integration, Personal Assistance Services and Supports Grant ran focus groups to gather information to incorporate into their research and outcomes
  • The fourth annual Direct Support Professionals Forum was held on October 10, 2003 and was attended by 72 people hailing from over 15 Michigan counties. Ten individual direct support professionals were recognized with certificates for their dedication to and hard work in the field of direct care. Amy Hewitt of the University of Minnesota and the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals delivered the keynote address at last year's forum
  • The MADSP hosted its Sixth Annual Direct Support Professional Forum June 2, 2006. Over 75 DSPs, policy makers, and other professionals from around the state attended the very well received event. Our keynote speaker was State Rep. Rick Shaffer who spoke about the development of a One-Stop Service system in the state of Michigan. The Sixth Annual Forum was also held at a new location this time around– the beautiful University Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Twsp., MI. Thank you to all who attended the event
  • The MADSP monthly meeting format was changed to a rotating schedule. Since this change, meetings have been held throughout Southeast Michigan and membership and interest have increased as a result. Future meetings will be scheduled in new locations around the state so that the Alliance can reach as many direct support professionals as possible
  • Members of the MADSP helped to facilitate the first ever Direct Support Professional Training Forum in Lenawee County in 2006. Local providers and advocates hosted a day of speakers and DSP interaction at Jackson Community College in Adrian, MI on November 17th and the event was very well attended with over 60 DSPs enjoying keynote speaker Dr. Scott Shepperd and a catered luncheon. The event was held in the JCC@VO-TECH building
  • The Seventh Annual MADSP Forum was held on June 1, 2007 on the campus of Macomb Community College in Clinton Twsp., MI.  Over 80 DSP's and consumers from around the state attended the seventh annual event and feedback indicated that the Forum was once again a shining success.  Workshops offered attendees multiple chances to gain knowledge on topics ranging from stress management, to peer mentoring, to personal assitance and self-determination.  Maria Cebreco, founder of Cebreco Consulting and a federally certified employment navigator, offered an inspirational and informative keynote address while participants enjoyed a delicious, catered lunch.

 


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