DSP Recognition Week

This is from an article I wrote for the newsletter at work:

September 14th – 18th was recently designated by the U.S. Senate as National Direct Support Professional Week.

What is a Direct Support Professional?

DSP’s, as they are commonly referred, provide hands-on care to a wide range of individuals including people with developmental disabilities. DSP’s are the “hands, feet, and heart” of the direct service profession. DSP Recognition Week provides a unique opportunity to organize events, rally people and generally draw attention to the noble work of more than 3.2 million DSP’s in the United States.

I would also like to take this opportunity to share information on pending federal legislation, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act, H.R. 868 in the U.S. House of Representatives that would provide options to states for increasing wages for DSP’s. I encourage you to visit http://www.youneedtoknowme.org to learn more. I also encourage you to contact your U.S. Representative to request co-sponsorship of this important bill. Contact information for your policy maker can be found on http://www.house.gov/

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This subject is very near and dear to my heart. I got through college first working as a DSP, later supervising DSP's and at my current job, I train DSP's. I have been blessed to work along side some amazing people providing services and supports to people. These people unselfishly give so much. My experiences have made me a better person. It is time to give recognition to this PROFESSION!

Daddy Dollars

This is a Daddy Dollar. I read about this in the September issue of Family Fun magazine (which is one of my fave magazines and is very reasonably priced and no I don't get a kickback if you order, it's just that good). The concept is just a reward system. Kids get to earn Daddy Dollars for doing things around the house. In the article, the Mom would give each of her kids $3 Daddy Dollars for each morning if they were up, dressed, teeth brushed by 7:30 am. I made a list of chores and posted it on the fridge. Here is mine:

Ways to Earn Daddy Dollars
Clean your room $5

Make your bed $2

Put your trash in the trash can $1

Get up, dressed and teeth brushed by 7:30 am on school days $3

Pick up living room $2

Put away toys after you use them $1

Feed the animals $2

Vacuum under the bird cage $2

Help Mom fold or put away laundry $1

Sleep in your own bed $2

It can be customized to your household. Then kids can spend their Daddy Dollars at the Mommy Mall. Again, you can customize this to your household and by using true motivators for your kids. The idea is the stuff they can buy should be easily obtainable, inexpensive or free, so you can reward them as soon as they want to purchase. I plan to buy a grabbag of little toys/stickers/candy as well. Here is my Mommy Mall:

Mommy Mall
Trip to the playground $5
30-minutes computer time $2
Cook a recipe with Mom $5
McDonalds for dinner and play time $20
Sleepover $20
Bike Ride $2
30-minutes cartoons $2
Watch a movie $3
Reading with Mom/Dad $1
Trip to Bonkers $50
Trip to Chuck E. Cheese $50
Trip to the movie theater $50
Trip to Amanda’s for a snack $5
Soda from machine $2

I also posted some rules:

Mommy Mall Rules
1. Daddy Dollars can be earned by helping out around the house, being responsible, listening to Mom and Dad and other things

2. Daddy Dollars earned will be kept in the bank envelopes and kept on top of the refrigerator. A balance sheet will be kept on the fridge

3. Daddy Dollars can be used to shop at the Mommy Mall

4. Daddy Dollars can be saved to buy larger items or used for smaller items

At three, I don't know how much Kate will get the whole concept but we will help her. I think Kaelyn will really get into it. I'll keep you posted.

Here's the website where you can create Daddy Dollars. The girls think it is so funny to see their Dad's face on the dollar. I just hope I don't get busted for counterfeiting.

http://www.festisite.com/money/