People thrive when they can connect to others and to their interests.
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are central to making these connections happen for many of our clients. They serve as strong threads that tie together many parts of our clients' support networks.
We are especially proud of our crew of DSPs and the quality support they provide our clients.
Connecting Families
Our DSPs are impressively flexible - opening up their schedules to take on additional clients as needed. Many of our DSPs are preferred caregivers, meaning they provide care to a loved one ... but some of these preferred caregivers have expanded their care to include clients they had no prior connection to!
We are delighted that several of our preferred caregivers share the passion and insight they already possessed and the skills they have developed with more of our families. This level of personal, empathetic support builds a strong sense of community and a highly stable support network - both for clients and their families.
The time DSPs spend with clients allows family members to take breaks and attend to other needs that life brings - all while knowing that they and their loved one are understood and respected.
Connecting Services
Both our preferred caregivers and traditional DSPs make it their mission to be involved in the whole landscape of our clients' lives.
They connect with other care providers within and outside our services. They look for activities that can reinforce skills which are significant to the client or family, are part of a Behavior Support Plan, or align with employment goals.
Our DSPs help their clients navigate complex systems such as healthcare, education, and employment services. Recently, our DSPs have helped one client gain citizenship and another reconnect to services they had been denied.
They take full advantage of the social groups and local memberships* we offer. By investing in their clients' interests and providing the support of a peer or mentor, they encourage clients to try new things, participate in their communities, achieve personal goals, and practice self-advocacy. They promote independence by teaching life skills, offering guidance, and providing the emotional support needed for personal growth.
(*Our local memberships currently include Skyzone, Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, The Build Guild, Fort Wayne Community Center, Science Central, Kids Empire, and the Allen County Public Library.)
Connecting Individuals
Our preferred caregivers come with existing connections to their clients, but our traditional DSPs also form deep, trusting relationships with the individuals they support. We intentionally pair each DSP in ways that put the client first, always making sure the client feels their DSP understands and values them.
A trusting, dependable relationship is critical when working to build new skills and expand comfort with new experiences. These relationships also provide emotional and psychological support which contributes to the overall mental and emotional health of the individual.
One strong connection leads to others. By facilitating social connections, our DSPs help their clients participate in community activities, build friendships, and engage in meaningful relationships. They protect our clients from the detrimental effects of social isolation by fostering inclusion and building each client's confidence as they engage in social activities together. Through the support they provide during social interactions, they equip their clients to make their own connections through the rest of their lives.
Connections That Matter
Our DSPs play an irreplaceable role in providing both practical assistance and emotional support. Their efforts are essential to promoting dignity, independence, and a high quality of life for those they serve.
Interested in being a DSP or Preferred Caregiver?
Contact WaiverServices@PartnersinAutism.com to learn more.
Ask about the resources and training we provide to help you provide the highest quality of care.
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