What is a Direct Support Professional? According to the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) assist people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in realizing their full potential and becoming valued and participating members of their communities. Black Hills Works, an organization supporting nearly 600 adults with disabilities in Rapid City, employs over 280 direct support professionals. Each of them empowers people with disabilities to be good neighbors, valued friends, productive workers, respected leaders, and caring volunteers. “I get to experience life with them,” shares Skylar, a DSP with Black Hills Works. “I see the joy in a person’s eyes when they do something new, which is so rewarding!”
Direct Support Professionals’ work is complex and goes well beyond caregiving. Required skills include independent problem solving, behavioral assessment and prevention, medication administration, health and allied health treatment, teaching new skills, crisis prevention and intervention, and more. “DSPs are a constantly evolving mix of teachers, medical support, social bridge, activity facilitators, and social skill teaching. We help people reach their potential,” Skylar explains. The job duties of a DSP may resemble those of teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, physical or occupational therapists, dietitians, chauffeurs, personal trainers, and others.
Every day, the job is a little different as their work is determined by the unique needs and preferences of the individuals they support. “My favorite part of the job is teaching people so they know they are capable and are able to do as much as possible for themselves!” says Skylar.
Because of the vital role DSPs have in the lives of adults with disabilities, they are held to high ethical and professional standards. Over the last year, Black Hills Works has implemented a “Strong Teams Initiative” in their onboarding processes. This is a three-tiered initiative aimed at ensuring DSPs have the tools they need to feel competent and supported. The tiers focus on education, experience, and support.
People supported are not the only ones that experience benefits from the work of DSPs. “I have grown through my work,” shares Skylar. “I have developed more empathy, social skills, and teaching skills.” Sheila, another DSP at Black Hills Works, shared that, when you’re employed as a DSP, “The positivity you receive from the people we support makes it all worth it. You know you are making a difference! The training you receive and the team you’ll be working with are phenomenal! At the end of the day, we are all in this together to ensure the people we support are living their best lives.”
Thanks to the passion and commitment of Black Hills Works staff like Skylar and Sheila, hundreds of individuals we support are thriving and growing. “Everyone has value and it is amazing finding people’s strengths,” Skylar states. “Every person wants to hear they are important and doing a good job!”
Our direct support staff are the heart of all that Black Hills Works does, and our entire community is a better place because of them.
