Dear NADSP affiliates,

    We are thrilled to announce the NEW NADSP Credentialing Program.  This is a national, voluntary credentialing program designed to provide recognition for the contributions and competence of direct care employees.  The NADSP credential is a portable credential that represents consistency in direct support education, work-based learning and competence.

    NADSP developed this program following a decade of advocacy, research and outreach regarding the profession of direct care.  Consensus has evolved among NADSP affiliate chapters across the United States and sponsoring organizational members of the NADSP regarding the issues that confront the direct support profession. This national credentialing program is one of the many outcomes of that work.

    Through this email NADSP is asking for assistance from its affiliates.  You can assist NADSP in spreading the word about this exciting opportunity for DSPs and their employers. We ask that you use your personal and professional networks to announce the availability of the NADSP national credentialing program. In doing this, your affiliate group joins NADSP in making a highly trained and respected direct support workforce the expectation in every state using this program. We encourage you to visit the credential website at www.nadsp.org/credentialing to learn about the details of each level of NADSP credential.  Then, pass the website address and the credentialing information on to your co-workers, your employees, and professional colleagues. We ask that you publicize the credential program in your affiliate newsletters. 

    The time has come when direct support professionals must be seen as the talented, educated, caring individuals they are.  Do your part to make this vision a reality for DSPs. Make a commitment on behalf of your affiliate group to help NADSP make our highly competent human services workforce the pride of the nation.

    Mark Olson, President

    Don Carrick, Affiliate Coordinator