Demand for direct support professionals across the region and the rest of the state have led both Jamestown Community College and The Resource Center to create programs to train potential new direct support professionals.

Direct support professionals work with people with developmental disabilities and help them to increase self reliance and work towards living more independently in their local communities. Positions can range from caregiving and providing assistance with daily activities to employment, transportation, emotional support and more.

At the end of March, JCC announced three new microcredential programs that provide required training and education for those looking to become DSPs. JCC has three levels of its Direct Support Professional program that prepares students to earn national certification with the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals as they earn college credits. They are free for a limited time to students who are New York state residents..

Michele Albaugh, Director of Staff Learning and Development with the Resource Center, said The Resource Center fully supports this new JCC program and also offers similar in-house programs for those who are already DSPs looking to become certified. The role of a DSP, she said, is a very important one.

Wendy Stimson shares a moment with Shelby in The Resource Center home where Shelby lives. Submitted photo

“DSPs are the bridgemaker for people with developmental disabilities in the community,” Albaugh said. “They help people have a great life and provide support in areas of life that they might need help with. They are professionals with the knowledge and heart to do what needs to be done. It’s a rewarding path that helps support people so they can achieve what they want in life.”

Other programs helping to increase the amount of DSPs in the state come in the form of a statewide initiative that began in 2022. Albaugh said the governor put forth an effort to support DSPs through grants that help them to earn credentials, using a similar platform to the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals.

Albaugh added that being a DSP is a “worthwhile and honorable profession” where people can make a difference every day. The Resource Center has many DSPs and they are proud that many of them are certified, she said, as this helps them to stand out as a provider in the community to have staff with those skills that require national credentials.

INSIDE THE POSITION

One of the Resource Center’s Community Coaches, which is a form of DSP, Pennifer/Penny McCartney said her job entails taking people out into the community, offering them support and teaching them life skills like handling money and becoming more independent.

Pennifer McCartney poses with Dennis Bottomley at Jamestown Bowling Company. Submitted photo

“I taught special education for 15 years and I wanted to do something different,” McCartney said. “This job lets me help people succeed and do things they couldn’t do before.”

To McCartney, being a DSP is important because it allows people with developmental disabilities to have the support to go out into the community and interact with the general public. People can become very acclimated and popular with the public, so much so that McCartney said they know who to look for when they go out. It helps them not sit around at home and be able to make lives for themselves, she added.

“You definitely need to have patience to be a DSP,” McCartney said. “You need to be enthusiastic and have different skills like the ability to teach and be with someone and be understanding. It’s not being a babysitter, you are teaching at all times. It’s absolutely the job for you if you are that kind of person.”

AN ADVOCATE

Community Coach Chyanne McCool said her job involved picking people up and bringing them into the community to develop new skills. These skills include socializing, interacting with others, finding new places and activities to interest people and to help form friendships.

Pennifer McCartney and Dennis Bottomley enjoy a meal at 4 Below Haggy’s Bar and Grill. As a community coach at The Resource Center, McCartney supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in engaging in activities of their choosing and making connections in the community. For instance, McCartney and Bottomley are such regular customers that 4 Below staff keep their favorite table reserved for them. Submitted photo

“Many of the people I take out enjoy visiting the Falconer Library to chat with the librarians, attend art classes and go swimming to meet people who share the same interest,” McCool said. “When we go shopping or out to eat I may be working with them to understand how to count cash currency, budget, and how to use self checkout.”

Other skills to focus on include navigating, learning new locations and driving skills for those who want to work towards their license. McCool also teaches safety in the community when crossing roads, walking on uneven or icy ground, and paying attention to your surroundings.

“As a DSP my job was more focused on basic and personal care such as cooking, cleaning, and hygiene,” McCool said. “But you also have the duties to help them learn new skills and get out into the community similarly to a community coach. The goal for the people I support who have disabilities remains the same no matter what position I’m in to provide support in a way that encourages them to become self determined and independent. My job is always to advocate with them and for those who cannot. Advocacy was a big part of being a DSP because I was a big part of their daily lives; witnessing first hand how things affect their day to day life.”

On her first day as a DSP, McCool said on meeting someone she’d be working with that she was told that DSPs always leave, which is something that stuck with her. Her job has an emotional impact on those she works to support.

“My job is important and that is why I enjoy it,” McCool said. “When I began as a DSP, work was often a rollercoaster that sometimes had more downs than ups. But even the smallest up could have such a big impact on the people I support. I like feeling like I’m making a difference and that the work I do is meaningful. As a DSP and community coach everything I do from the moment I walk in the door impacts the people I support, my mood and energy can set the tone for the rest of the day. I take pride in my work and am conscientious about my words and actions because they matter.”

McCool works mainly as a community coach but still subs as a DSP. She added that there is a variety of jobs available at the Resource Center and a position for every skill set.

“This job is for someone who has integrity and initiative, who’s looking to make an impact and add more value to their lives and the lives of others,” McCool said. “At TRC there are so many ways you can do that.”

‘PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE’

Another DSP with The Resource Center, Wendy Stimson, said the duties of a DSP are multi-faceted, including the most basic but necessary expectation of providing personal care and ensuring the health and safety of those the person is supporting.

“The main function of a DSP is instructing people in becoming as independent as possible, assisting them with accessing and enjoying their community and helping them realize their dreams,” Stimson said. “With all jobs there are other responsibilities like documentation, training and for some DSPs, medication administration among other things.”

Stimson began working at The Resource Center in 1987 at the age of 26, after a friend encouraged her to apply. Stimson said she enjoys her work because she likes helping people, especially those who cannot stand up for themselves.

“I believe in supporting and protecting the vulnerable in our society,” Stimson said. “Every day I strive to bring an upbeat attitude, smiles and something new and positive to the people I support. I love lifting people up, helping them and inspiring them to live happy lives. Once I began my position with the agency it wasn’t long before the people I was working with stole my heart ensuring that I would never leave. In my opinion there is no better job in the world.”

While she may not be making a lot of money from her 36 years on the job, Stimson said she is still the “richest woman in Jamestown” because of a full heart and good conscience. She said her job is also important because people with life challenges are just people like anyone else, with hopes, dreams and aspirations.

“My job is important because the people I support are vulnerable,” Stimson said. “They are open, honest and trusting. Because of this in many cases they are manipulated, taken advantage of both emotionally and financially, abused and neglected. DSPs ensure that each person is given the chance to attain as much independence as possible.”

Additionally, the more a person can do for themselves the more self-confident they are and Stimson said her work helps give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. DSPs are advocates that support a safe, healthy and happy life for everyone.

To Stimson, anyone who finds joy in helping others should consider becoming a DSP.

“Do you feel a sense of pride after helping someone in your community with groceries, opening a door for someone or taking out the trash for your neighbor?” Stimson said. “Do you believe in random acts of kindness? Then this job is for you. Let’s not forget that life challenges can happen to anyone at any time. I’ve been told that I am ‘special’ because of what I do, this is not true. Anyone can do what I do, all it takes is empathy.”

If it was a family member, Stimson said anyone would do what she does. It is not a wonderful life for people who cannot do things for themselves and have no one to help them, she added.

“Can you imagine going weeks without leaving your home, doing nothing fun or different, not even to do shopping?,” Stimson said. “We complain about having to do the chores and tasks of everyday life but the people I support would give anything to be able to do those things. They would like to live the lives that we do.”

Just because someone has life challenges, does not mean they are incapable, unintelligent or unaware, Stimson said, it just means that their struggles are a little more challenging than others and that they need more help. Stimson said she would not choose a different career for anything.

“I have dedicated my entire adult life to the people I support at The Resource Center and I would not change it,” Stimson said. “I am a better person for having this experience, my children have all held jobs at TRC and are very proud of this. I have said it before, if I were to win the lottery I would not quit my job but I would donate my wages to a fund for DSPs. This is not a job, it is a vocation and when I retire from my agency it will be with great pride.”

To learn more about becoming a DSP visit sunyjcc.edu/DSP or the Resource Center’s website, resourcecenter.org.