1. Winter 2011 The Direct Support Professional Association of MN.
Meet the 2011
DSPAM
President:The following is
an interview that took place
between News Editor and Vice
President, Brigette Menger-
Anderson and DSPAMs new
President, Don Krutsinger.
Don, please tell us about your involvement in the DSP
workforce:
I have been working with individuals with
Developmental Disabilities since 1988. I began in
Kansas working in residential settings working with
Community Living Opportunities and Sheltered
Living, as well as with Day Services Programs
working with TARC. I was aslo a Para within
Lawrence Public Schools Transitional Educational
Program. In 2004 I completed a BSW degree and
became a Targeted Case
Manager in Iowa and
worked in a Youth Shelter.
I discovered that I didn’t
enjoy the large caseloads
and paperwork but preferred
working directly with people
with disabilities. I have been
working since 2006 in the
Twin Cities as a Program
Coordinator and a Regional
Specialist (Floating DSP) with
REM and also with Fraser,
Phoenix Residence, MCIL,
and Accurate Home Care.
Why do you think membership in DSPAM is an
important self-investment for the DSP workforce?
I learned early that as a single Direct Support
Professional you cannot live on the income of one
job; I always had to work more than one job to
make ends meet.
When I discovered the
National Alliance of
Direct Support
Professionals three years
ago, I recognized that
this was just as much a
needed Professional
Association as the
National Association of
Social Workers. The
best way to know what
was going on within the
Direct Support
Professional workforce within Minnesota was to
join the DSPAM Board.
One of the things I have realized while on the
board, is that the Minnesota’s DSP’s seemed to be
divided by the type of agencies and support that
they give. Kansa hosts 'The Big Tent Coalition'
which is a grass roots effort of people with
disabilities, seniors, friends and family members,
advocates and Service Providers. Together, they
would work to influence legislation, funding and
policy, promote consumer choice, access, and
affordability of services. They would get over a
thousand people out for a collective Day at the
Capital that filled the steps and grounds of the
Capital with individuals demanding that the needs
of elderly, as well as all ages and types of disabilities
were not neglected.
In Minnesota, we have many Days at the Capital
representing Community Independent Living
Programs, families with children with disabilities,
I am DSPAM
In This Issue
• Meet our new President
• Day at the Capitol
Events
• PCA Services in the
news again
• Collaboration with the
DCA
• Join a DSPAM
Committee
• NADSP & The College
of Direct Support
Don Krutsinger
“I went back to school to get a
Social Work degree thinking that
would put me into a more
professional position but learned
that working directly with
individuals with Disabilities is just
as much a profession that
demands respect and a
professional commitment
as being an Administrator or
Social Worker.”
Don Krutisinger

2. I am DSPAM page 2
and Residential and Day Services, Eldercare, Special
Education and Mental Wellness advocates all competing
for a responsible share of the Health and Human
Services budget..
I find DSP’s have relied on their employers to lobby the
legislature for them and sadly, they have discovered
what happens when politicians decide to balance their
budgets by cutting funding to those with disabilities.
These cuts result in reductions in full time positions,
salaries, benefits, and opportunities to find work.
However, the vast
majority of DSP’s within
DSPAM work for
Residential and Day
Services Programs and
many of those programs
are not aware of the
NADSP and DSPAM or do
not recognize the benefit
of DSP's speaking up for
themselves and telling
their story about how
funding cuts effect their
jobs and incomes.
You advocate for members
to utilize social networking applications. Sare with us how
you will incorporate more networked-based communication
to support members in you role as President.
One of my goals this year as President of DSPAM is to
help our Residential and Day Services Programs model
the self-advocacy efforts that DSPs in the Independent
Living Support Programs have demonstrated. One way
we would like to do that is to be able to share
presentations to our Residential and Day Services
Programs regarding our desire to support DSP’s in
advocating for funding for their jobs within their
programs. We will continue to increase our
communication to our members and agency contacts
not only through E – newsletters from DSPAM and
NADSP.
Members will also notice more opportunities and
resources posted on Facebook and Linked in. One of
the potential benefits of the Linked in is that it allows
DSP’s who are looking for full time or part time work to
make connections with many different agencies
personnel departments and will allow them to share
resume’s with potential employers. There is a online job
posting service and any company can post job openings
in the 'Discussion section.'
DSPs have been negatively impacted by the program changes
and funding cuts that have taken place during legislative
sessions. Yet, the presence of DSPs at Capitol rally's is dismal
in comparison to the number of registered DSPs in the State.
How can we get DSPs geared up and ready for the month-
long activities that will be taking place in March at the
Capitol?
As we go into this Legislative Session we need to let our
Legislators know that they should they not seek to
balance their budget by cutting support for those that
are the most vulnerable and left without a back up plan
or safety net. As DSPs, we need to share with them
what we have been taught; we should never be
involved in abusing or neglecting those who need our
services and support to live a life of dignity and
opportuntiy. Legislatures were elected to serve all of
their citizens and whether they delegate that task to
Social Service programs, they should not abuse and
neglect the basic needs of people with disabilities.
This is not just a public welfare issue , it is also a jobs
issue that effects the employment of the many of the
consumers who rely on DSPs to assit them with getting
to work, the providers who employ DSPs and the DSPs
themselves. DSPs need to know what effects these cuts
will produce for their employment stability. DSPs need
to speak out to make sure that the needs of the people
they support are met and that it isn’t their hours, wages
and jobs that are being cut in the budget balancing
process.
I hope that more of our members will be able to join
DSPAM at any one of the planned Days at the Capitol.
Make sure you register for an event, that way a time can
be scheduled for you to meet with your Representatives
to talk about theses issues. We've included a calendar of
events that are taking place now through March.
I look forward to meeting with you in-person and on-line
through our linked in and face book pages. You can also
contact me at donkrutsinger@comcast.net
Thank you for the opportunity to
serve in this leadership role.
Sincerely,
Don Krutsinger, DSPAM President
“We would like DSPAM
to be the preferred
Association for anyone
who wants to make
being a Direct Support
Professional their
chosen career.”
Don Krutisinger
“Thankfully, there has been an active
group of DSP’s within DSPAM that
have written letters, provided
testimonials and been a strong
presence in the disability community.
These DSPs are supporting the need to
sustain consumer-directed home care
services as both a cost-effective
alternative and one that provides the
most in choices, flexibility and quality
of life for the people they support.”
Don Krutsinger

3. I am DSPAM page 3
$20 Membership: The best
return on staff-investment!
Now is the perfect time to recognize DSPs by
providing them with a gift membership.
Gift memberships are ideal for recognizing:
• Employee's of the month
• Employee's Anniversary start dates
• Employee's Birthdays
• Employee going above and beyond
• Employee's providing emergency shift
coverage
• Employees new to the field
DSPAM Membership Includes:
• Dual membership in NADSP
• I am DSPAM e-newsletter
• Front line Initiative newsletter
• DSPAM/NADSP membership card
• NADSP Code of Ethics Card
• Preferred pricing on DSPAM sponsored
events.
ARE YOU A MEMBER?
PCA services back in
the news again!
As we head into another legislative session, it was bound
to happen- PCA services back in public debate. However,
unlike last years reporting which did not portray home
care services and the DSP workforce favorably, some
recent articles have come out which provide a more
balanced story. We wanted to bring these to your
attention:
Balancing the cost of care: Cuts mean
many disabled Minnesotans get less help with at-
home care.
By: Jim Spencer [Thursday, January 13, 2011]
http://www.startribune.com/local/113428589.html
Understanding what the Legislative
Session will mean.
By: John Tschida [January 10, 2011]
http://www.accesspress.org/
Cutting into the thin margin of health:
PCA changes in Minnesota:
By: Sharon Rolenc [January 24,2011]
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/01/23/c
utting-thin-margin-health-pca-changes-minnesota
Log-in to these newspapers and leave
comments which reflect how you feel
about these issues.

4. I am DSPAM page 4
Get involved with
Days at the Capitol!
January 25th
: Advocating Change Together,
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, People First
of Minnesota, Self-Advocates Minnesota, The Arc
of Minnesota
http://www.arcgreatertwincities.org/documents/Disabi
lityDayattheCapitol2011ArcGreaterTwinCities.pdf
February 8th
: Association of Residential
Resources in Minnesota (ARRM)
http://www.arrm.org/training/ongoing/DAC.html
Minnesota Habilitation Coalition & MnDACA:
http://www.mnhabco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Legis
lative_brochure_2009-2010
March 7th
: MCIL/ MSCOD/ SEMCIL/
ILCIL/DSPAM “Wear Purple!”
http://www.nadsp.org/docs/DSPAMCohostsMarch7Di
sabilityDayatMNCapitol.pdf
March 10th
: Courage Center
http://www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/getinvol
ved.aspx?FromNavPK=932
March 15th
: MS Society
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/mnm/take
-action/get-involved/ms-rally-at-the-capitol/index.aspx
March 16th
: MN Org. on Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders
http://www.mofas.org/2010/11/public-policy-article-1/
JOIN US! Each Tuesday during the legislative session, MN-
CCD will be at the Capitol to help people share their stories
about the importance of disability services with legislators and
to ensure there is a disability community presence.
AGENDA:
• 10:00am: Welcome and introduction with MN-CCD in
the State Office Building Basement Cafeteria
• 10:30am – 12pm : Meet with your legislators and
share your personal story
• 12:00pm – 1pm: Lunch in the Department of
Transportation Cafeteria
• 1:00pm: Advocates are encouraged to attend
hearings or meet with their legislators if they were
unable to do so in the morning
►Learn how to find and meet your legislator
►Share your personal story with your legislator
►Educate yourself about disability programs and
services
►Become an effective advocate for yourself and
the broader disability community
Email Anni at asimons@arcmn.org to sign up for one
or more Tuesdays at the Capitol.

5. I am DSPAM page 5
Meet one of our featured
partners!
Who they are:
The Direct Care Alliance is the national advocacy voice of direct
care workers in long-term care. We empower workers to speak
out for better wages, benefits and training, so more people can
commit to direct care as a career. We also convene powerful
allies nationwide to build consensus for change.
Mission: The Direct Care Alliance empowers direct care
workers to advocate for quality long-term care by building a
stable, respected direct care workforce. We urge state and
federal policymakers to:
• Secure a Living Wage and Overtime Protections: Extend
protections to home care workers through the Fair Labor
Standards Act and increase wages for workers compensated
through Medicare and Medicaid.
• Ensure Health Care and other Benefits for Workers:
Guarantee quality, affordable health care and benefits such as
paid sick leave for everyone, including direct care workers.
• Create Opportunities for Training and Career Advancement:
Expand training, education and certification programs to
provide direct care workers with opportunities for
specialization and career advancement.
We wanted to help them get the
word out about a wonderful
leadership opportunity for DSPs:
2011 Voices Institute!
Now Accepting Applications for
2011 Voices Institute!
The Direct Care Alliance is proud to announce its Third
Annual Voices Institute National Leadership Program, a
week-long, intensive leadership training for direct care
workers. This year’s Voices Institute is at the beautiful
DeKoven Retreat Center, on Lake Michigan, in Racine,
Wisconsin, from May 8 – 13.
Voices Institute National Leadership
Program:
The Direct Care Alliance selects direct care worker
leaders for this intensive, week-long retreat, where they
learn about advocacy, fund raising, organizational
development, message development, and more.
The first Voices Institute National Leadership Program
was held in May 2008, followed by incredibly successful
programs and workshops in 2009 and 2010. Voices
Institute graduates are changing the world by:
◊ Testifying before legislators;
◊ Building relationships with lawmakers to raise their
awareness of direct care worker issues;
◊ Putting on conferences for their worker associations;
◊ Launching new state chapters and associations;
◊ Writing letters to government officials to request
better wages and working conditions;
◊ Raising funds and building membership for their
worker associations;
◊ Speaking at conferences and other public events; and
◊Joining the Direct Care Alliance staff.
If you know a direct care worker who is interested
in advocating for better direct care jobs, tell them
about this amazing opportunity and ask them to
fill out an application. For more information or to
fill out an application please visit:
www.directcarealliance.org/voices
Applications must be received by
February 14, 2011.

6. I am DSPAM page 6
Did you know that the events and
activities that DSPAM creates and
participates in come from the
suggestions of our members?
Help shape our
planning and
outreach efforts for
the new year!
We have committee meetings the
second Tuesday of every month
from 2-4 pm (locations t.b.d, email us
for details!)
If you can't make a meeting, but
would like to give us some feedback
or share your suggestions, you can
contact our President at
donkrutsinger@comcast.net
Come visit us on face book and
start a discussion topic!
http://www.facebook.com/?
ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=42551416801
2011
Committees:
❶Policy
❷Presentation
&Training
❸Membership
• Marketing
• Event
• Newsletter
DSPAM wants you
to get involved!
Join a committee today!

7. I am DSPAM page 7
NADSP Updates:
Coming January 26: Webinar on
Registered Apprenticeship Program
for DSPs
Please join the National Direct Service Workforce
(DSW) Resource Center on Wednesday, January
26th 3:00-4:30 pm EST for an important
teleconference/webinar about the US DOL
Registered Apprenticeship program and the new
Direct Support Professional (DSP) Registered
Apprenticeship Standards.
For more information:
http://www.nadsp.org/docs/ApprenticeshipWebinar.pdf
To register:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/779671785
Do you know about the
College of Direct
Support?
The College of Direct Support is a learning gateway for
contemporary best practices for Direct Support
Professionals. By incorporating web-based learning,
backed by nationally recognized curricula, the CDS is
designed to promote a profession of direct support.
Core Values
The College of Direct Support strives to reflect a core set
of 10 values in the training programs it provides to Direct
Support Professionals and to supervisors and managers.
Did you know that DSPAM
is the State chapter of the
National Alliance for Direct
Support Professionals?
Together, we are working to enhance the status of
direct support professionals and promote the
development of a highly competent human services
workforce. We recognize that people needing support
are more likely to fulfill their life dreams if they have
well-trained, experienced, and motivated people at
their side in long-term, stable, compatible support
relationships.
The College of Direct Support is accredited and approved by
the NADSP as meeting its curriculum standards for DSPs to
study and earn the credentials through three tiers:
• Direct Support Professional - Registered level. At this
level DSPs commit to the profession, the NADSP Code of
Ethics and demonstrate six months of continuous
employment as a DSP with the same employer.
• DSP- Certified. At this level DSPs are required to
complete an accredited education or training program and
to submit a portfolio of work samples that demonstrate
their competence in 8/15 competency areas provided by
the NADSP.
• DSP - Specialist. At this level DSPs are required to
complete specialized training and to develop a work
sample in their area of specialization. The four
specialization areas are: health support, positive behavior
support, supervision and mentoring and inclusion.
http://info.collegeofdirectsupport.com

8. I am DSPAM page 8
DSPAM Mission
DSPAM is dedicated to the development of a
highly competent and professional human
services workforce by supporting and working
together with DSPs, self advocates, families,
and allies.
&
DSPAM Vision
DSPAM has a vision in which all Minnesota
Direct Support Professionals:
• are valued and respected in their
communities;
• receive livable wages and benefits;
• stay longer with their employers;
• complete one or more levels of a
national DSP credentialing program;
• collaborate on diverse projects with
self-advocates, families, and allies;
• use their leadership skills by presenting
at conferences.
DSPAM
P.O. Box 13447
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Please share our newsletter
with your friends and colleagues!