Celebrating Our First NADSP Certification Graduates

Direct Support Professionals are at the center of daily life at Strawberry Fields. They are the people who build trust, offer steady support, and help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full, meaningful lives. This year, we are proud to celebrate our first group of staff who completed the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Certification program.

This nine-month certification is more than professional training. It strengthens the care we provide every day.

Why This Matters

The NADSP Certification focuses on ethics, person-centered care, and thoughtful decision-making. Participants reflect on real experiences and connect their daily work to shared professional values, leading to a deeper and more consistent understanding of how their actions shape outcomes and relationships.

As Karen DeSimone, Director of Intellectual Disability Services, shares, “Direct Support Professionals are the heart of the developmental disabilities service we provide and deserve recognition for the hard work they do. The knowledge, skills, and ethics this certification represents provide that professional respect.”

Reflection That Strengthens Care

One of the most meaningful aspects of the certification, according to participants, was the opportunity to pause and reflect on work that often happens quietly and consistently, day after day.

Clara Nally, Residential Manager, shared how the process helped her step back and see her work more clearly:

“Something that stuck with me throughout the NADSP process was that you really don't think about the great work you do, so writing about it was kind of an eye opener for me. I believe when you're a natural care giver you don't tend to look at it as credit or give yourself grace for doing something truly amazing for someone else. The NADSP program made me realize the impact that I had on staff, consumers, and their families. Families just want to know that their loved ones are getting the best care possible, and I strive to do just that for them.”

Mike Smith, also a residential manager, echoed that experience and highlighted how reflection connects daily practice to professional standards:

“The program involves writing about experiences that show how you follow the NADSP Code of Ethics. Looking back on moments when I influenced a positive change in someone's life gave me a greater perspective on the lasting impact direct support professionals can make.”

For Mike, the heart of the work remains simple:

“My favorite moments are when the people we support genuinely say thank you.”

That reflection captures what this certification is ultimately about, supporting staff so they can continue showing up with care, professionalism, and heart.

Strawberry Fields will welcome its next NADSP Certification cohort in 2026. By investing in our staff, we are strengthening the quality, consistency, and compassion of the care we provide for individuals across our community. Thanks to our donors and supporters, we can make investments like this in our staff and our programs.