Lindsay Short
I am honored to have been elected president of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota as of next year.
Being a part of DSPAM over the last two years has been an eye-opening, life-changing experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing people on the DSPAM board of directors, and I’ve watched DSPAM turn into an amazing organization, overcoming many milestones and accomplishing many of its goals.
Our vision and mission is to advocate for and support direct support professionals in our state by making a professional name for ourselves, fighting for better wages and health insurance, developing direct support leaders, and working with families, self advocates and allies.
DSPAM got its start back in 2005. It was just an informal group then, with a vision to become an association developed and operated by and for DSPs. In 2006, we got our 501(c)(3) status. Since then DSPAM has made leaps and bounds, thanks to the dedicated people on the board of directors and all our supporters keeping our mission alive.
Our statewide survey of DSPs asked them what they are concerned about and what they face each day. The results helped shaped our strategic plan, which was developed for the next 3-5 years with the help of Community Consulting Group.
What we found was that many DSPs’ concerns circle around wages, affordable insurance, burnout, and respect within their communities. We presented the results of the survey at the 2008 AARM conference and the Direct Support Worker Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland.
Last September, we held the successful Making Changes Together event in honor of National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. More than 150 people came, and many became members. This milestone for DSPAM and DSPs could not have happened without generous donations from our sponsors or the hard work of our board of directors, especially Muhannah Kakish and Colleen Timbers.
As the new president of DSPAM, I want to keep informing people about the issues within the DSP field and let direct support professionals know there is place where they can find support and get connected. I have had an amazing opportunity to work with enthusiastic and dedicated people who have mentored me to be a better leader, and I want to help others get that same opportunity.
In addition to increasing our direct support professional membership, I would like to see DSPAM reach out to self advocates, agencies, legislators, and other communities, because it is important that we all work together. I also would like to see DSPAM continue to accomplish the goals set by our strategic plan and keep the forward momentum moving. One way to do this is to give our members more opportunities to get involved with DSPAM activity.
Legislative activity is another focus I want to make sure we continue next year. As many direct support professionals and advocates know, there have been detrimental cuts in our state for PCAs and disability services. DSPAM has been actively involved in fighting those cuts, thanks to outgoing President Bridget Siljander. I want to see us continue that activism.
I am so grateful to all of you who helped make the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota what it is today. I look forward to working with you as we do even more in the coming year.
Lindsay Short
President
Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota
