Are you a direct support professional or frontline supervisor who loves to learn more about best practices for supporting people with intellectual disability? In “A Closer Look,” we explore the most current and relevant issues covered in "Frontline Initiative." Produced by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, "Frontline Initiative" is a bi-annual online magazine by and for the direct support workforce. z.umn.edu/FrontlineInitiative
Publisher
Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota
Episode 12: Exactly When He Wanted: David Liscomb’s Path to a Fulfilling Retirement
Planning for retirement isn’t something often done by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but David Liscomb isn’t like most people. As he was approaching retirement he made a plan with his trusted ally, John Leo. Listen to David talk about what is important for DSPs to know when supporting someone to plan their retirement.
14 May 2025
Episode 11: Dupree Edwards talks about the DSP who wouldn't give up on him.
Dupree once struggled with tasks like cooking, cleaning, and daily living skills. He felt DSPs gave up on him, but things started to get better when Miss Gail came into the picture. She taught Dupree that freedom has responsibility and she believed that he could achieve his dreams.
16 Nov 2024
Episode 9: Larry Williams, Anthony Grindstaff and Susan Arwood on Enabling Technology
DSP Anthony Grindstaff, Larry Williams, and Susan Arwood share how enabling technology has transformed Larry's life by providing him with greater freedom and independence.
16 Nov 2024
Episode 10: Tammy Murner at Black Hills Works
Tammy Murner and the Technology and Innovation team at Black Hills Works share their pioneering approach to using technology to empower individuals with IDD and promote self-determination and independence.
30 Oct 2024
Episode 8: Nick Smith on DSP Advocating for themselves and Voting
Nicholas Smith, a seasoned Direct Support Professional with 25 years of experience, advocates for DSPs to prioritize their own needs and voting rights on a national stage.
30 Oct 2024
Episode 7: Nick Smith is Seeing the Possibilities
Nic Smith, a seasoned DSP with 25 years of experience, reveals how listening to people's wishes and working with teams can make dreams come true.
29 Mar 2024
Episode 6: Guest: Amy Hewitt "No one is better at telling your story than you are."
Our guest is Amy Hewitt, Ph.D., director of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota.
Amy explains that as direct support professionals, you have to fight for what you need and for the recognition and respect that you deserve – and she knows! Amy has been a direct support professional, is a family member of someone who has support, and has been in the field for years.
23 Feb 2024
Episode 5: Advocating for Yourself with Megan Russell
Megan Russell has supported Jay as a direct support professional (DSP) for the past 10 years. In this episode, Megan talks about her experience at the NADSP Advocacy Symposium where she learned the skills to advocate for herself and the people she supports to her legislators. She explains the importance of personal storytelling and shares that it's not as intimidating as she thought.
Read Megan Russell's story: Share link to FI story when it's public
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Frontline Initiative (https://ici.umn.edu/series/7) [update link]
Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (https://ici.umn.edu/)
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) (https://nadsp.org/)
5 Jan 2024
Episode 4: Michelle Murphy on Becoming an Interviewer
Michelle Murphy left the corporate world 19 years ago and became a direct support professional (DSP) when her sister strongly suggested she come to work with her at her workshop job. Michelle is now a DSP Certified-1 (https://nadsp.org/services/certification/) at Arc Mid-Hudson in Kingston, New York.
In this episode of A Closer Look, Michelle talks about her article in Frontline Initiative (https://publications.ici.umn.edu/frontline-initiative/19-2/learning-side-by-side-with-the-person-supported) and how she uses the NADSP Code of Ethics Tenet 5: Justice, Fairness, and Equity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiB1QIVICWk&list=PLbrrhT8nj86wdyNylRsVr-o2-31RB78u0&index=6&t=64s) to improve the quality of life for the people she supports. She dives deeper into how she gets to know them as people and how that and the COE help her navigate sensitive topics that might affect their quality of life.
Read Michelle Murphy's story: Ethical Practice is About Learning Side-By-Side with the Person Supported (https://publications.ici.umn.edu/frontline-initiative/19-2/learning-side-by-side-with-the-person-supported)
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Frontline Initiative (https://ici.umn.edu/series/7)
NADSP Code of Ethics (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbrrhT8nj86wdyNylRsVr-o2-31RB78u0)
Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (https://ici.umn.edu/)
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) (https://nadsp.org/)
31 Jul 2023
Episode 3: Zoe Korengold from Lionsgate Academy in Shoreview, Minnesota on supporting students' psychological health and wellness
Two-time Frontline Initiative author Zoe Korengold, who is on the support response team (SRT) at Lionsgate Academy, reflects on how they handle situations with students who are experiencing big emotions that are challenging in a way that is supportive and safe for everyone. Zoe shares their perspective as an autistic person, who didn’t have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in school to support them, and how starting with students' strengths can make a huge difference in how students with disabilities view themselves.
Read Zoe Korengold's story: Supporting Students' Psychological Health and Wellness (https://publications.ici.umn.edu/frontline-initiative/19-1/students-psychological-health-wellness)
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Frontline Initiative (https://ici.umn.edu/series/7)
Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (https://ici.umn.edu/)
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) (https://nadsp.org/)
6 Jul 2023
Episode 2: Host Chet Tschetter talks with LeAnn Bieber about healthcare person-centered profiles
Frontline Initiative author LeAnn Bieber talks about how using tools such as a Health Care Person-Centered Profile and a one-page description can make a positive difference in how a medical appointment can go for everyone.
Read LeAnn's story: The Key to Successful Health Care Appointments through One-page Descriptions (https://publications.ici.umn.edu/frontline-initiative/19-1/key-to-successful-healthcare-appointments)
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Frontline Initiative (https://ici.umn.edu/series/7)
Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (https://ici.umn.edu)
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) (https://nadsp.org)
1 Jun 2023
Episode 1: Introduction to A Closer Look
Host Chet Tschetter discusses what “A Closer Look” is and what the listeners can expect. In this podcast, we will talk with the authors of recent issues of Frontline Initiative and really dig in and look closer at the best practices, tools, and resources direct support professionals are using and how they make a difference in the lives of the people they support.
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Frontline Initiative (https://ici.umn.edu/series/7)
Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (https://ici.umn.edu/)
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) (https://nadsp.org/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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