OLEAN, N.Y. — SUNY Jamestown Community College celebrated students who completed the first section of the new Direct Support Professional microcredentials program last week on the Cattaraugus County Campus.
The cohort included 15 students employed by Intandem in Olean and Allegany. Six attended the campus gathering and received certificates of completion. They also shared their daily experiences helping people with developmental and physical challenges for Intandem, and how the JCC program is helping them grow as direct support professionals.
“Sometimes you encounter things, and you don’t know how to deal with it,” said Heather Wildfire, an Intandem employee for more than 20 years who assists with medical transport. “These courses kind of give you a new way to deal with a situation that you might encounter.”
Many who completed the first section have begun part two, and plan to go on to part three to complete JCC’s Direct Support Professional certificate. Credits earned in the program will count toward an associate’s degree for anyone who chooses to continue their studies.
Each microcredential qualifies students for certification through the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. The NADSP requires students to submit essays about their experiences to complete certification and earn e-badges.
“Those submissions gave me a fresh appreciation for this job,” Shannon Bessette, a JCC professor who leads the Direct Support Professional program, said while addressing the students. “I am hoping that this program brings attention to your profession and brings attention to your devotion and your commitment to people who really need you.”
Rachel O’Brian, a JCC adjunct instructor and coach for Direct Support Professionals students, said she “admired the students for their hard work while working full-time.”
Melody Hicks, an Intandem employee for 18 years, said she “probably would have dropped” out of the program if it wasn’t for O’Brian’s encouragement.
Direct support professionals advocate for their clients and assist with activities of daily living such as banking, shopping, self-care, cooking, making and maintaining friendships. Many work overnight and double shifts. JCC’s program allows them to study online on their own time.
Intandem’s Greg Kloss, chief operations officer; Karen McGovern-Graham, senior vice president for communications, development, and employee wellness; and Kim Baker, clinical services manager, attended the celebration.
Baker commended Bessette and O’Brian for their efforts in working with and supporting the students.
“We are really moving along with this in the summer and fall already,” Baker said, noting that employees from Intandem’s Niagara County site began the JCC program this summer.
JCC’s Direct Support Professional microcredentials are free and include tuition, fees, books, course materials, and NADSP credentialing for New York residents through a partnership with the State University of New York and the NYS Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Some students are eligible to earn a $750 stipend for completing each microcredential.
Visit sunyjcc.edu/DSP for more information.