Those outside the health and human services field may be unfamiliar with the term ‘Direct Support Professional.’  DSPs perform a significant amount of essential work behind the scenes to assist with the routines of daily life. Whether through physical care, participating in recreational activities, teaching social skills or developing job skills in community settings, DSPs fulfill the desire for independence and sense of belonging for those they support.

Working as a DSP allows one the opportunity to meet individuals of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds, becoming an integral part of someone’s life. DSPs are instrumental in providing those they support with new experiences, witnessing someone else’s growth and transformation firsthand. Each individual served by Citizen Advocates is unique and each DSP must be able to cultivate a successful relationship based on trust and understanding. This requires patience, emotional-intelligence, resilience and the ability to solve problems efficiently while aiding someone else.