Lindsay Short
The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) has become an important part in the fight for the professionalism and respect for direct support professionals. Since joining DSPAM 3 years ago, I have witnessed the growth and movement that this organization has done and how dedicated each person involved is to the direct care workers of Minnesota.
Over the last year DSPAM has pushed full force to be involved with advocacy, leadership, and taking care of direct support professionals. Our most proud and biggest accomplishment was our event held last September to pamper Minnesota DSPs and to allow them to have a day where the roles were reversed. Providing free haircuts and manicures, thanks to Spa Blu, over 200 DSPs attended receiving the pampering and care they so deserve. Through this event we were able to increase our membership to reach our first membership goal of 250. All of us are so thankful to our sponsors, donators, volunteers, and partners that helped make this event possible.
Advocacy and legislative activity has been a high priority for DSPAM. Because we are the voice of direct support professionals, it’s important that we collaborate with allied organizations and make ourselves known at the capitol. Many of the people on our board of directors and DSPAM’s members have been actively involved with testifying on multiple occasions, attending Days at the Capitol sponsored by fellow organizations, writing letters and emails to legislators, and connecting with leaders within the direct support profession.
Along with all of these activities, DSPAM has had changes in leadership. DSPAM is so privileged to have 5 new members joining our Board of Directors. Ruka Moba, Bill Schwartz, Peggy Clay, Mike Harrison, and Lynne Megan are great assets to DSPAM’s progress and keeping our mission alive. With their help, along with all of our other board members and volunteers, DSPAM is taking part in the AARM Conference for 2010 and working on getting our name and logo more visible through bumper stickers, t-shirts, and finding new ways to get connected with DSPs. In addition, DSPAM hopes to have another fantastic event in September to honor all of Minnesota’s Direct Support Professionals.
