Cheryl Nelson, a Community Support Professional at AHRC New York City’s Betty Pendler Day Services, believes that “It’s never too late to advance your own learning and improve as a person and a professional.” When she heard about an opportunity to participate in NADSP’s E-Badge Academy, it was an opportunity to accomplish her goal of continuous education.
“You can become complacent, and I don’t want that to happen. I want to get the skills I need to help the people I support live rich and independent lives.”
About the E-Badge Academy
The NADSP E-Badge Academy offers Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Frontline Supervisors (FLSs) the ability to earn national certification through stackable electronic badges. These badges demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values that these professionals utilize every day, recognizing the professional development that might otherwise go unacknowledged. With E-Badges through coursework via online platforms, DSPs and their FLSs can submit specific examples, experience, and education that highlights their achievements and contributions to human services. Topics covered include Community and Service Networking; Vocational, Educational & Career Support; Communication; and Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness, with dozens of others covered in the courses.
“I found the online learning to be detailed and informative,” Cheryl said. “It kept me up to date with new policies, laws, and procedures. It taught me to think critically about my work on a day-to-day basis.”
Cheryl will be recognized as the NADSP E-Badge Academy Earner of the Month in August. She developed a planning activity that received rave reviews.
“I’m so proud,” she said. “It’s incredible that the work I’ve done is being appreciated. I told the person I support because it was a big achievement for them, too. Just to be recognized for doing what we do is incredible.”
“Finding Out Their Passions”
Cheryl has been at the forefront of excellent service for her entire career. She started at Camp Anne in 2006.
“I fell in love with the job at camp,” she recalled. “I returned to England to become a teacher but felt something was missing. I began working as a CSP, then took a hiatus in 2013 to teach again but came back in 2014 and have been a CSP ever since. I love supporting people in independent living, safety skills, and finding out their passions.”
Cheryl said the E-badge academy courses taught her new approaches towards her work. “I found that in the beginning a lot of the sessions [with the people I support] were led by me. I did a lot of the initial talking. The courses helped me take a step back, and to be more directed by their own thoughts and opinions. It’s also taught me how to assist people in communicating in the best way they can. One person I work with uses a communication device, and it spurred me to work more with that device so he can communicate more effectively in the community, and everyone can understand him.”
Cheryl has no regrets about following this career path. “As much as I enjoyed teaching, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was missing. I really wanted to come back to New York and work with the people I support. It’s been about finding my passion and finding the things they’re passionate about, too.”
