A Closer Look at Frontline Initiative

Planning for retirement isn’t something often done by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but David Liscomb isn’t like most people. As he was approaching retirement he made a plan with his trusted ally, John Leo. Listen to David talk about what is important for DSPs to know when supporting someone to plan their retirement.

Dupree once struggled with tasks like cooking, cleaning, and daily living skills. He felt DSPs gave up on him, but things started to get better when Miss Gail came into the picture. She taught Dupree that freedom has responsibility and she believed that he could achieve his dreams.

DSP Anthony Grindstaff, Larry Williams, and Susan Arwood share how enabling technology has changed Larry’s life for the better and how a visit from the Tennessee Governor’s wife, Maria Lee, provided Larry with new enabling technology for his back door. Larry receives support, and Anthony and Susan work for Core Services of Northeast Tennessee. Thanks to his technology, he now has much more freedom...

A quiet revolution began over a decade ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where the spirit of innovation transforms lives at  Black Hills Works  (BHW). At the heart of this change is the Technology and Innovation team led by their dynamic director, Tammy Murner. The team's mission is to transform the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) Murner...

Nic is a master of looking past the barrier and seeing the possibilities. As a seasoned DSP he has developed the skills of really listening to what the people he supports are saying, and working with his team to make dreams and wishes come true. Nicholas Smith has been at Direct Support Professional for over 25 years. He has worked the past 17 years at SPIN, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nic...

As DSP we are accustomed to speaking up for the wants and needs of the people we support. Nic shares his story of speaking up for himself and all DSPs on a national stage. Nicholas Smith has been a Direct Support Professional for over 25 years. He has worked at SPIN, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the past 17 years. He was a contributor in the 2023 issue of Frontline Initiative, DSPs use the...

Our guest is Amy Hewitt, Ph. D., director of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. Amy explains that as direct support professionals, you have to fight for what you need and for the recognition and respect that you deserve – and she knows! Amy has been a direct support professional, is a family member of someone who has support, and has been in the field for years.

Megan Russell has supported Jay as a direct support professional (DSP) for the past 10 years. In this episode, Megan talks about her experience at the NADSP Advocacy Symposium where she learned the skills to advocate for herself and the people she supports to her legislators. She explains the importance of personal storytelling and shares that it's not as intimidating as she thought. Read Megan Ru...

Michelle Murphy left the corporate world 19 years ago and became a direct support professional (DSP) when her sister strongly suggested she come to work with her at her workshop job. Michelle is now a DSP Certified-1 at Arc Mid-Hudson in Kingston, New York. In this episode of A Closer Look, Michelle talks about her article in Frontline Initiative and how she uses the NADSP Code of Ethics Tenet 5:...

Two-time Frontline Initiative author Zoe Korengold, who is on the support response team (SRT) at Lionsgate Academy, reflects on how they handle situations with students who are experiencing big emotions that are challenging in a way that is supportive and safe for everyone. Zoe shares their perspective as an autistic person, who didn’t have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in school to support t...

Frontline Initiative author LeAnn Bieber talks about how using tools such as a Health Care Person-Centered Profile and a one-page description can make a positive difference in how a medical appointment can go for everyone. Read LeAnn's story: The Key to Successful Health Care Appointments through One-page Descriptions - Frontline Initiative Institute on Community Integration, University of Minneso...

Host Chet Tschetter discusses what “A Closer Look” is and what the listeners can expect. In this podcast, we will talk with the authors of recent issues of Frontline Initiative and really dig in and look closer at the best practices, tools, and resources direct support professionals are using and how they make a difference in the lives of the people they support. - Frontline Initiative Instit...