The DirectLine

On this episode of DirectLine, Destiny sits down with Janice Curtain, Teaching Professions Instructor at Medina County Career Center, to discuss the success and growth of their DSP-U program. Now in its fourth year, the partnership has grown from just four students to eight, giving aspiring educators the opportunity to earn a nationally recognized DSP credential while gaining valuable hands-on exp...

What does it mean to lead from wherever you are? In this episode of DirectLine, brought to you by Lighthouse Cove, host Katrina Sacay sits down with Darryl Watson to explore his 14-year journey in the developmental disabilities field. From his early days as a direct support professional to becoming a program supervisor and longtime Lighthouse Cove council leader, Darryl shares how his passion for...

What does it mean to make a difference as a Direct Support Professional (DSP)? In this episode of DirectLine, Kevin Metz from Lighthouse Cove sits down with Mani Anderson, a DSP at Open Door Columbus and a graduate of the DSP-U program, to talk about her journey into the profession. Mani shares what she loves most about being a DSP, from building relationships and creating meaningful experiences t...

On this episode of DirectLine, a Lighthouse Cove podcast , Becky Watson sits down with Jason Umstot, Chief Operating Officer of CRSI, to reflect on his nearly 30 years in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) field. From his beginnings as a Direct Support Professional to his current leadership role, Jason shares how the people he supports, professional relationships, and opportuni...

In this episode of Lighthouse Cove’s Direct Line Podcast, Kevin sits down with two students from Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center participating in the DSP-U program. They share what inspired them to join the program, how the online learning modules have helped them better understand disabilities and the everyday experiences of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilitie...

In this episode of DirectLine , Becky Watson sits down with Lighthouse Cove Director of Education Kevin Metz to reflect on his incredible 44-year journey in the I/DD field. Kevin shares how he first entered the profession, what has kept him passionate about the work for more than four decades, and the changes he has witnessed along the way. Together, Becky and Kevin talk about the essential role o...

As we continue to reflect on how the recognition and support of Direct Support Professionals has evolved, we find ourselves reflecting on our own journey from OADSP to Lighthouse Cove. For some of you, this episode may bring back memories of when you first became involved with OADSP. For others, it offers a glimpse into the people, purpose, and experiences that built the community you know today a...

What happens when high school students get the opportunity to explore a career while gaining real-world experience before they even graduate? In this episode of the DirectLine Podcast, Destiny sits down with Autumn Harris, Teacher of Record and CBI Coordinator at Westland High School, to talk about the school’s DSP-U program and the impact it is having on students. Autumn shares how she was introd...

In this episode of the Lighthouse Cove Podcast: Direct Line, Katrina sits down with Jennifer Gatto, Employee Engagement Manager at Echoing Hills, to talk about the power of workplace culture, meaningful connection, and supporting the people who provide direct support every day. Jennifer shares her journey from child protective services and teaching into the I/DD field, including how her experience...

In this episode of Lighthouse Cove’s DirectLine Podcast, Kevin Metz, Director of Education, sits down with Emily Merring from ViaQuest to talk about leadership, teamwork, and an unforgettable day on the Mohican River. Emily shares how Lighthouse Cove’s Leadership Float provided more than just a fun day on the water, it created a hands-on opportunity to practice communication, navigate challenges,...

In this episode of the Lighthouse Cove Podcast: DirectLine, Katrina Sacay sits down with Deedra Olney, CEO of Life Builders, to talk about her remarkable journey in the I/DD field from her early days working alongside Lighthouse Cove (formerly OADSP), to teaching one of the very first DSP-U cohorts, to becoming the CEO of an organization serving more than 180 people across Central Ohio. Deedra sha...

In this episode of the Lighthouse Cove Podcast - DirectLine , Destiny Campbell DSP-U Program Coordinator sits down with Sean Moore of Open Door Columbus to explore how creativity, personal interests, and meaningful relationships can shape a career in direct support. Sean shares his unique journey of growing up around the I/DD field, his work in the arts, and his experience partnering with DSP-U st...

In Episode 3 of The DirectLine | Financial Fitness Series, Lighthouse Cove and First Financial Bank sit down with Suzanna Humbert, Work-Life Specialist with First Financial Bank, to talk about understanding and managing debt. Suzanna breaks down the difference between good and bad debt, explains how credit scores impact borrowing, and shares practical strategies for paying down debt and improving...

What does it mean to be a leader when you don’t have a leadership title? In this episode of the DirectLine Podcast, Becky Watson sits down with Melissa Chesney-Booth, an Independent Provider, DSP and Lighthouse Cove Council member, to talk about her 15-year journey in the IDD field, the importance of advocacy, and why the voices of DSPs and frontline professionals matter. Melissa shares her experi...

In this episode of the DirectLine Podcast, host Kevin Metz welcomes Lighthouse Cove's newest team member, Brooklyn Toledo. Fresh out of college with a degree in Organizational Leadership, Brooklyn shares her journey from disability services and customer service to joining the Lighthouse Cove team. She talks about the experiences that shaped her, the importance of accessibility and advocacy, and wh...

In this episode of the DirectLine, Katrina Sacay sits down with Randy Davis, Program Administrator at CRSI and longtime Lighthouse Cove supporter, to explore his inspiring career journey from working in pediatric healthcare to becoming an independent provider, Direct Support Professional, frontline supervisor, and now a leader overseeing more than 80 staff across two counties. Randy shares how a c...

Join us for a special edition of the DirectLine Podcast as our executive director, Bethany Toledo-McCray is featured on Episode 92 of the NickSpeaks Podcast where they talk about Advocating for Change: DSPs, Disability Policy, and Building Bridges in Washington, DC. In this episode, Nick Comstock sits down with Bethany Toledo and Aaron Mendoza to talk all things disability policy, advocacy, and th...

In this episode of DirectLine, Lighthouse Cove welcomes Christopher, the new DSP-U teacher of record at Cliff Park High School in Clark County, as the school prepares to launch its first DSP-U program. Christopher shares his own journey working as a Direct Support Professional and discusses what inspired him to bring this unique career pathway into the classroom. Alongside Lighthouse Cove's educat...

In this episode of the DirectLine, host Kevin Metz from Lighthouse Cove sits down with Katrina Kohout, Provider Support Coordinator at Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities, to discuss Growing Together an innovative educational program designed to teach students in grades 2–8 about disability awareness, empathy, inclusion, and respect. Katrina shares how Portage County is implementing...

In this episode of DirectLine by Lighthouse Cove , Katrina Sacay sits down with Ethan McPeak small business owner, longtime Lighthouse Cove board member, volunteer, and Booster, to talk about the personal experiences that shaped his connection to the direct support profession. Ethan shares how growing up with parents who worked in the developmental disabilities field, along with having a sister wi...

In this second episode of The DirectLine financial fitness series from Lighthouse Cove, we dive into one of the most important pieces of your financial life, your credit score. Joined by Suzanna Humbert from First Financial Bank, we break down what a credit score really is and why it matters more than you might think. From understanding FICO vs. Vantage scores, to how credit utilization and paymen...

What happens when organizations intentionally invest in their people? In this episode of The Direct Line, host Becky Watson sits down with Amy Schneider, Executive Director of Wynn-Reeth to discuss the power of professional development, meaningful partnerships, and creating opportunities for staff to grow. Amy shares her journey into the disability services field, why Wynn-Reeth prioritizes leader...

The conversation covers the experiences and insights of DSPU graduates from the Medina County Career Center. It includes discussions on their favorite parts of the program, the e-badges and CIP certification, and their recommendations for others interested in helping individuals with disabilities. The graduates also highlight the flexibility and employability that comes with the DSPU-1 and CIP cer...

In this inspiring episode of The Direct Line, Katrina Sacay sits down with advocate, speaker, and Lighthouse Cove board member Gwen Harshaw to talk about her family’s journey after her son Zayne was diagnosed with autism at age four. After being told Zayne might never read or live independently, Gwen and her family chose hope over limitation. What followed was an extraordinary journey through musi...

Join us in this episode for an engaging discussion on simple, effective ways to manage your finances, clear misconceptions about budgeting, and boost your financial health with practical tips from work life specialist Susanna Humbert. Discover tools like the envelope system, the 50-30-20 rule, and actionable steps to make budgeting less intimidating and more empowering. Key topics covered: The imp...