Pictured at the podium is Dan Ottke, superintendent of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, who shared news that there’s a workforce shortage of direct support professionals working in the field of developmental disabilities during a recent presentation to the Clermont County Board of Commissioners. Photo provided.

By Megan Alley
Sun Reporter

There’s a workforce shortage of direct support professionals working in the field of developmental disabilities.

Dan Ottke, superintendent of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, shared the news during a recent presentation to the Clermont County Board of Commissioners.

“In our community, and really around the state, we are experiencing a real workforce shortage … it’s become a bit of a crisis,” Ottke said.

He offered to talk with anyone interested in learning more about what it means to work in the field.

One position is that of a direct support professional, someone who works with a person with developmental disabilities and provides support to help that person lead a self-directed life and participate fully in their community.

“DSPs help people with developmental disabilities lead a life where they can be more independent, volunteer in their community, become employed, or develop a new hobby,” reads the Board of DD’s website.

On any given day, a DSP might provide support to a person or persons with developmental disabilities by:

– Working alongside to provide support and training in the community.

– Guiding small groups of individuals into the community for volunteer and leisure activities.

– Teaching independence skills and how to be safe in the community.

– Helping individuals to try new things, make more choices, and be more involved in activities and hobbies of their choosing.

– Support individuals as they form relationships with others in the community.

A DSP might also help a person or persons with developmental disabilities find and keep a job by:

– Helping individuals identify their talents, interests, goals, and abilities.

– Providing one-on-one marketing and recruitment services to connect individuals with employers.

– Being a job coach, providing on-site support, and helping with training to increase an individual’s success.

DSPs also assist in home life by:

– Helping individuals develop independent living skills, and making sure they are healthy and safe.

– Supporting individuals with skills such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and bathing.

– Helping support individuals with money management and personal income, transportation, and community activities.

Lisa Davis, director of community relations for the Board of DD, shared some recent programs the agency has developed to recruit DSP staff:

– Hosted a Career Fair at Eastgate Mall last year in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Ohio Means Jobs, and Easter Seals, where 28 providers talked with those interested in becoming a DSP.

– Produced theater ads for movie theaters in Clermont, Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Montgomery, and Greene Counties.

– Produced Google and Spotify ads.

– Department staff attended Work Initiative programs sponsored by the Clermont Chamber of Commerce at local high schools to encourage students to think about becoming a DSP upon graduation.

Davis noted that DSP positions are flexible for college students, and others.

“We try to attract stay-at-home moms/dads who might have a few hours to give while their children are in school, as well as recently retired people who are looking to give back and enhance the quality of life for others,” she wrote in an email.

There are full- and part-time positions available for DSPs, as well as day, evening, overnights, and weekends available.

During a phone interview, Ottke, who started his career at Goodwill Industries as a job coach, shared what he thinks makes a successful DSP.

“When you’re looking to get into this field, it truly is to make a difference in someone’s life,” he said. “Every day is a new day, but I think, at the same time, you’re looking to hopefully be able to help an in individual with an intellectual or developmental disability maybe form a new relations, find some friends, make connections in their community … for those of us that work in this field, that would be the inspiration for us. It’s an attitude to try to help people make those connections.”

For more information about a career as a DSP, visit the Board of DD’s website at http://clermontdd.org/.