ANCOR Direct Support Professional Recognition Awards

Guidance for Nominators

Every year, ANCOR’s awards panel reviews hundreds of nominations for DSP Recognition Awards. While we are certain each DSP is worthy of recognition, we also acknowledge far too many instances in which the quality of the nomination puts the DSP at a distinct disadvantage in the competition.

Based on our experience, we’re providing the following explanation of each area in the nomination questionnaire (and some general information) to give you a better idea of what we’re looking for and common pitfalls to avoid.

Impartial Committee Review Process:

The review committee reviews each nomination according to the criteria described below; thus answering the questions fully yet succinctly is important for your nominee’s scoring. In an effort to ensure each nomination is reviewed on its own merits, the name of your organization is redacted from the application’s cover page.

Confidentiality

ANCOR requests that the nominator ensure the nomination does not contain information that could be used to identify the person served, including the person’s name. If you have questions about what information may be shared, please consult the 2013 HIPAA manual (available from ANCOR)

Criteria 1: Activity/accomplishments in assisting the individual supported to achieve person-centered, positive outcomes. (25 points)

Explanation. We’re looking for a description of the actions the DSP took and the effect of those actions on the life of the person served. Not just what the DSP did, but what the person(s) served experienced with that support. For some it could be inclusion in activities in the community (recreational activities, integrated employment, charitable work); or it might result in the person(s) served being able to overcome challenges and build or maintain relationships with friends and family. For others, it might mean managing behaviors that keep the person(s) served from engaging other individuals and the community.

What you should include.Specific examples of how the DSP’s support affected the life of a person receiving supports such as helping the individual build an effective social network, engage in their community, be an active and contributing member of society, or how the DSP has greatly exceeded expectations in addressing the needs of the person(s) (s)he supports.

What you should not include.

  • The DSP’s employment history, family background and other unsolicited information. We don’t award any points for this, so don’t include it unless you can make it directly relevant to one of the criteria.
  • Some fill this space with comments like “Mary has such a big heart,” or “John is always makes sure the residence is clean.” These general statements, although positive, do not relate to any of the criteria for which we can award points.
  • Try to avoid using the name of your organization, or the name of the person served (Alternatives include using a phrase like “the person she supports” and pronouns him and her, or using initials only.)

Example.

Here’s an edited version of one of 2013’s better nominations: “S.H. was following a path of depression and poor physical health. Marie (the DSP) came in and changed the direction of that path. With Marie by her side, S.H. pursued and won employment as a greeter at Wal-Mart; rediscovered her love of classical music as a concert violist; became a flourishing member of a Red Hat Society, volunteers as an usher at the local theater; and rediscovered her Jewish faith, becoming an active member of her synagogue, celebrating the high holy days with friends and families. For the first time in several years, S.H. was able to travel out of state, visiting New York and Washington, DC.”

Criteria 2:Description of the relationships he/she has developed with the person(s) he/she supports. (15 points)

Explanation.We’re looking for evidence of a strong two-way relationship between the DSP and the person(s) s/he supports.

What you should include.Words or actions of the persons served that illustrate the bond with the DSP; also include similar evidence that the DSP shares this bond.

What you should not include.Our biggest tip here is what you should not forget to include – the person served. We see too many nominations that only describe how, for example, the DSP thinks of the person she serves as a friend. Again, we want evidence that this sentiment is shared by the person served.

Example. In one 2013 nomination, the relationship between DSP and person served was described like this: “From day one, Robert has understood P.A.. He seemed to know P.A. in a way that others could not.” Later, the nominator wrote: “P.A. really thinks the world of Robert. He is very social and he loves to be constantly busy. Robertrecognizes this and encourages him, tries to grow his skills”

Another example that shares the point of view of the person served is: “When Thomas arrives for work, the individuals run to the door to greet him with a hug.” – or – “When Thomas isn’t at work, the individuals ask when he will be at work next.”

Criteria 3: Examples of advocacy or affecting change with and/or on behalf of people with disabilities. (15 points)

Criteria 3

Explanation.

There are really two kinds of advocacy that can be described here. One is advocacy on behalf of the person served, to ensure that he or she gets, for example, proper medical attention, or gets an opportunity to participate in a particular activity, program or work opportunity of his/her choosing . The reviewers will generally award some points for this, although it is very common and does not necessarily make the DSP being nominated stand out from the others. Points will also be given for advocacy done WITH, not simply FOR, persons with disabilities.(Less common, and therefore likely to result in more points awarded, is a situation where the DSP had to advocate against some obstacle. For example, if the person served wanted desperately to participate in a program but the guardian was against it.) A second kind of advocacy involves things like together writing letters to elected officials, participating in lobbying days,creating and using opportunities to educate the community about people with disabilities. DSPs who participate in this type of advocacy have the bestchance for maximum points in this category.

What you should include.

Examples that show the DSP being an advocate.

Example.

Several years ago, Monica helped create a campaign called Partners in Advocacy. She brought together DSPs, persons served and their families, and other disability organizations in the community to lobbying state elected officials on the rights of people with disabilities, and to preserve Medicaid funding. Last spring, Partners in Advocacy held a rally at the statehouse and over 1,500 people participated. Monica has truly made our state a better place for people with disabilities to live.

Criteria 4: Description of the sacrifices made in order to be a Direct Support Professional. (15 points)

Explanation. We all know that DSPs are often heroic in their dedication to their jobs and that they perform well under extremely adverse circumstances. This is a chance to recognize DSPs who go above and beyond the call of duty.

What you should include.Examples of real sacrifices DSPs make to support the individuals they serve.

What you should not include.We don’t want to discourage you from acknowledging that the DSP you’re nominating may be willing to take an extra shift at the drop of the hat, or to point out that the DSP could be making more money in some other career, or that the long hours and emergencies sometimes mean the DSP makes adjustments to his/her personal plans. These are all valid sacrifices, but they are shared by almost every DSP, thus do little to distinguish your DSP from the others.

What is most effective is a unique kind of sacrifice. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, there were DSPs who lived out of their cars for weeks, who put off efforts to reunite with their families or to check on their own homes, and devoted themselves to making sure the individuals they support continued to receive services under some of the worst conditions imaginable. This is the kind of example we’re looking for.

Example.Carla was enjoying a rare weekend off when a fire destroyed the group home where she worked. As soon as she heard, she returned to the home to ensure that the three women living there were safe. It was suggested that the three move into a shelter for the weekend, but Carla knew that two of the women would be especially anxious in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers. So, she loaded all three into her car and took them to her home for the weekend. (Carla has a husband, three children, and two dogs so it was a cozy fit!) Obviously, the women were still very upset about their ordeal, but Carla distracted them with a two day slumber party that included popcorn and movies, craft projects, and fingernail painting. Knowing that many of their personal belongings had been lost in the fire, Carla took the group tothe store where they each purchased something special to go in their rooms once they were relocated. All three women survived the ordeal with minimal trauma thanks to Carla’s quick thinking and generosity.

Criteria 5: Creativity in individualizing supports and services provided. (10 points)

Explanation. The emphasis here is on creativity and individualizing. We’re looking for unique problem-solving skills or an adaptation the DSP creates to support the specific needs of an individual with a disability.

What you should include. Examples of creative ways the DSP offers supports.

Example.

Here’s an example from the 2013 nominations: “J.B. had a habit of biting her nails and picking at hangnails to the point of making them bleed. Marsha set up an informal outcome for J.B. that involved a time frame of her not biting her nails with a reward of getting manicures at the local beauty college. Over time, a few of the managers at the college got to know J.B. and she shared with them how she earned getting to come in to the school for services. The college not only ended up offering the manicures to J.B. for a reduced price, but became her cheerleaders. J.B. would just glow when walking into the salon and getting so much praise and pampering! It took some time, but J.B. did stop biting her nails all together.”

Criteria 6: Demonstration of proficiency on the job and/or leadership capabilities. How does this DSP welcome others into the profession? How does he/she inspire others? How does he/she share his/her knowledge with new workers? (10 points)

Explanation.We’re looking for some indication that the DSP being nominated is competent in all aspects of his or her job.

What you should include. An affirmative statement and examples that show the DSP’s competence. For example, the DSP has taken on the role of mentor or teacher to other DSPs, or perhaps a merit-based promotion, or completion of some or all of the DOL apprenticeship program, or progress toward NADSP credentialing.

Example.From one of the 2013 nominations: “Emma has helped train new staff and been shadowed by less experienced employees. Her skills in paperwork, working with the entire team of the person she supports, goal-setting and development of risk management plans are often used as models for others. She has consistently received high marks for her service from team members on satisfactions surveys.”

Criteria7: Each nomination should also include an affirmation letter or statement from the person(s) served and/or a family member (10 points).

Explanation. This should be a letter from the person served, a family member or a guardian, describing their impressions of the work of the DSP being nominated.

What you should include. Anything the individuals want to share is appropriate. We sometimes find that the affirmation letters do a better job of explaining the relationship between the DSP and person served, and the effect of the DSP on that person’s life, than the nominations themselves.

We understand this is a challenge when the person served cannot write or is perhaps non-verbal, when there are no family members available, or when there is a language barrier. However, the committee is willing to grant some latitude in seeking this voice from outside the organization about the performance of the DSP and his or her relationship with the person served.

A guardian, close friend, community member who has the perspective to offer some insight might all be reasonable substitutes in a case where the person served or family member cannot contribute. We also accept notes that are dictated or translated from the original.

What you should not include. Letters from others in the organization. Experiences and impressions of the organization should be included in the other categories of the nomination, if relevant. If possible, the family should not mention the organization’s name – though we recognize the families are very glad to speak of the changes in their family member’s life because of the work of your organization.

Example. From a parent/guardian: “Having Katie in Mark’s life has been a godsend. She has really helped him come out of his shell and expand his horizons. When he entered the program, we had difficulty coaxing him out of the house, and he was especially shy around strangers. Now, three years later, he has a job at Wal-Mart that he loves and can’t wait to greet his co-workers and customers every day. Katie has become like a second daughter to my wife and I, and Mark obviously adores his “big sister.”

From the person served: “Katie takes me out, to my job and on shopping sprees when I get paid. She helps me stick to my diet/get to work on time and makes me feel good and she is special.”

General Notes

Please pay careful attention to the criteria and points values indicated on the nomination form. The awards committee will look for specific examples of each area and award points accordingly. If you fail to offer an example of one of the criteria, your nominee will receive no points in that area.

Every relationship between DSP and person supported is different and not everyone will have experiences that fill every one of the criteria. This makes it that much more important that you do a good job of describing the relevant experiences you cite.

Focus on each question in your answer. Try not to waste space recounting stories or aspects of the DSPs life for which there are no points awarded. For example, some nominators give extensive job history, or stories about the DSP’s relationship with his or her own family. Unless you can make these things directly relevant to the question asked, please leave them out. It is more likely the DSP’s nomination will receive more points if you answer each question specifically, instead of noting, “see above.”