The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Graduation Ceremony took place on October 1 at the Brookville mansion, celebrating 45 Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and Frontline Supervisors (FLS) who achieved NADSP certification. The ceremony opened by Christine Hostin, Assistant House Manager for CLS Valley Stream-Cottage home singing the national anthem. These professionals were recognized for demonstrating their expertise by earning stackable electronic badges that lead to credentials and a wage increase.

“This program is not easy,” said Stanfort Perry, CEO, in an address to the graduates “It is rigorous by design. It’s meant to challenge you, to grow you and to raise the standard of professional direct support. It demands your time, your self-reflection, your determination, and through it all, you persevered.”

The ceremony also welcomed Kathy Brown, Regional Manager of NADSP E-Badge Academy, along with friends and family, agency leadership and supportive community members.

“Our sole purpose of our organization is to elevate Direct Support Professionals and to help more people recognize that you are professionals,” Kathy said. “We have policy people in Washington D.C. advocating for DSPs and this certification that we’re doing across the country is showing that we really are professionals.”

“It was very rigorous and requires a lot of dedication,” said Francois Saint Cyr, a certified DSP who joined AHRC Nassau in the role after college. He has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge since his first days in the role.

“It made me realize more of what I do.” Francois said. “Before, when I worked, I just worked and that was it, but I didn’t realize the impact that it had on the DSPs, the people we support, the agency as a whole. It really opened my eyes to how important this sort of work is.”

The goal of this certification process is to elevate the role of the DSP and ensure the people who take on the often-challenging work of supporting people with disabilities are recognized as skilled, values-driven professionals providing an invaluable service. Many people would not live the full, independent lives they lead today without the expertise and dedication of these professionals. Congratulations to all the graduates on this wonderful achievement.