Congratulations to Our First NADSP-Credentialed Team Members!
We are proud to celebrate an exciting milestone at Values Into Action! Congratulations to Jake Kurz and Camia Robinson, who were our first employees to earn National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) credentials. Jake earned the DSP-I Credential and Camia earned the Front-Line Supervisor Credential.
This achievement reflects their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered support, and it’s something worth celebrating.
Their accomplishments represent an important step forward for our organization and the people we support.
What Are NADSP Credentials?
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) offers nationally recognized credentials for Direct Support Professionals and Front-Line Supervisors. These credentials ensure that professionals receive high-quality, consistent training grounded in core competency areas for direct support work.
To earn an NADSP credential, participants must complete approved training hours and submit written testimonials. These testimonials describe real-life examples of their work and demonstrate how they meet national competency standards. The process requires time, effort, and thoughtful reflection, but it results in meaningful professional growth and recognition.
Why Is Credentialing Important?
Values Into Action provides one-on-one residential services to people in their own homes and communities. Our work is guided by a strong commitment to quality, respect, and meaningful support.
Recently, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) introduced a new initiative called Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) for residential services. This initiative focuses on improving the quality, stability, and availability of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A key goal of PBC is to strengthen the workforce by supporting and developing the professionals who provide direct support.
Professional credentialing through NADSP is one way ODP is working toward that goal. Credentialing helps build skills, improves consistency in support, and leads to better outcomes for people served—while also recognizing the expertise and professionalism of DSPs and Front-Line Supervisors.
Our First NADSP Credentialed Employees
In alignment with ODP’s PBC requirements, Values Into Action enrolled its first group of Support Partners and Front-Line Supervisors in the NADSP credentialing program. Jake and Camia successfully completed the process, marking a major achievement for both them and our organization.
We asked them to reflect on their credentialing journey and what the experience meant to them.
Reflections on the Credentialing Journey
What part of the NADSP credentialing process was most meaningful?
Jake:
“The most meaningful part of the credentialing process for me was thinking back on my time working in the field. While in the process of acquiring the badges, it required a lot of thinking back to different situations I have found myself in. It was an interesting lens to look through and look back on my time and the things I’ve done. It was nice to go back and remember some successful stories to acquire my 15 badges”
Camia:
“Completing my testimonials. It allowed me to reflect on my work and support I have provided over the years.”
What parts of the process were challenging, and how did you work through them?
Camia:
“Narrowing in on one situation to discuss and ensuring that I am articulating it effectively to properly answer the testimonial questions.”
Jake:
“50 training hours is a lot of training hours! Most of the trainings were all very interesting and informative. But 50 hours is a lot! The more you break it up, the less daunting it feels.”
Did earning the credential affect your confidence or professional identity?
Jake:
“I think it certainly helped with some confidence, as this is definitely a bit of an undertaking and feels like a nice accomplishment when you see it all the way through. It certainly helps with professional identity as well, as it serves as a strong reminder of your accomplishments, and adds another!”
Camia:
“It has heightened my awareness of my professional identity and confidence. The opportunity validated my skills and approach to competency areas.”
What was your proudest moment?
Camia:
“Getting the emails that my badge was approved. It provided validation and a formal recognition of my skills.”
Jake:
“My proudest moment of the journey was getting the email that my certification had been approved, and it just so happened to be at a time I was with a lot of my colleagues in person.”
Looking Ahead
Jake and Camia represent the best of what direct support work can be: thoughtful, skilled, and deeply meaningful. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the dedication they bring to the people they support every day.
As we celebrate their success, we also look forward to supporting more staff through the NADSP credentialing process. Together, we will continue to strengthen our workforce, improve quality, and truly put our values into action.