Please Nominate A DSP for DSP of the Year Awards

1. Mission:
DSPAM is dedicated to the development of a highly competent and
professional human services workforce by supporting and working
together with Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), self advocates,
families, and allies.
Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota
Call for Award Nominations
The Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) is a membership
organization of individuals who are employed in a variety of settings that support and assist
people with disabilities in living full and productive lives.
DSPAM is seeking nominations in two categories to recognize the outstanding
contributions of DSPs in working with people who have disabilities. Eligible individuals are
those whose job duties involve working at least 50% of the time in providing direct care
support to people who have disabilities.
The award winners and their families will be invited to DSPAMs Annual DSP Recognition Week
Event: Honoring Commitments. This event offers the opportunity for direct support
professionals to be recognized, celebrated and rejuvenated on the afternoon of Sunday September
18th, 2011. With the generous service donations from Spa Blu, we will be offering free hair, nail and
massage services to say thank you to the DSPs who provide direct services to our aging and disability
communities.
Also, during the Honoring Commitments event, we will host a luncheon to present awards to
direct support professionals who exemplify the Code of Ethics and promote self-determination,
inclusion and leadership. We will also have gifts and door prizes available for our guests. We
request that any nominated recipients be able to attend the event.
Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:
Direct Support Professional of the Year- Recognizes an individual who uses the
National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics when providing outstanding
services supporting people with disabilities in participating in daily living care, growth and
development, job development or ongoing support, self-advocacy, recreation, and other
community involvement activities.
Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year- Recognizes an individual who uses
the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals Code of Ethics when providing
outstanding services in training direct support professionals, families, or self-advocates or in
advocating for local, state or national policies directly impacting Direct Support
Professionals.
Nominations are due by Monday September 12th, 2011. Completed nomination
forms should be emailed at iamdspam@gmail.com.
For questions please call 612.408.5635
Award winners will be notified directly by a representative of DSPAM.

2. Annual Award Nomination Form
Award Category being nominated for:
DSP of the Year
DSP Advocate of the Year
Contact Information
Name of person being nominated:
Nominee’s Address:
Phone Number: ( ) Email:
Name of person submitting the nomination:
Nominator’s Address:
Phone Number: ( ) Email:
Relationship to the Nominee:
Name of nominee’s Employer:
Supervisor’s Address:
Phone Number: ( ) Email:
1. As guests of honor, award recipients are expected to be present for this public
recognition opportunity. If selected, will the nominee attend the Awards Ceremony
at 3 P.M. on Sunday September 18th? Please note the event will take place in St.
Louis Park, Minnesota.
□Yes □No
2. Number of Years the Nominee has been employed as a DSP:
3. Nominee’s Current Job Title:
4. Please provide a brief job description:
5. Please describe why this nominee is deserving of the award. Include examples of
outstanding services to those people this person supports that have enabled the
individuals served to be successful. Please limit the response to 250 words or less.

3. #5 continued….
6. Please describe how the nominee utilizes the following National Alliance of Direct
Support Professionals (NADSP) Code of Ethics in providing services to those worked
with: Please limit the response to 250 words or less.
• Person-Centered Supports • Relationships
• Promoting Physical and • Self-Determination
Emotional Well-Being • Advocacy
• Integrity and Responsibility
• Confidentiality For more on the Code of Ethics visit www.nadsp.org
• Justice, Fairness and Equity
• Respect

4. 7. Please list any other awards the nominee has received for their professional or
personal commitments. Attach any newspaper or newsletter articles, or other
publications that highlight the individual’s professional or personal accomplishments.
Optional letters of support are encouraged and can be attached separately.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us to help us make a determination
about the two very special award recipients for the 2011 DSP Recognition Event: Honoring
Commitments?
THANK YOU for taking the time to recognize an outstanding
member of the DSP workforce!
Completed forms should be emailed to: iamdspam@gmail.com.
800 Transfer Road, St. Paul, MN. 55114 www.nadsp.org