Welcome to Team IOP

Relias and ANCOR have partnered to create the 2023 Direct Support Professionals Report. This survey is a biannual report that is shared widely to help I/DD organizations improve DSP retention and recruitment efforts.

We invite you to share this 12-minute survey with the DSPs at your organization to understand their experience as a DSP in the field today. These insights will help us to better understand the challenges they face and the support necessary to improve the experience of DSPs across the industry.
Survey results and the full report will be available at Relias.com this spring.

Please take this survey at: Survey (decipherinc.com)

Independence is a:

CARF Member Find out more at http://www.carf.org/

OADSP Participant Find out more at www.shopoadsp.orgOADSP TV+www.facebook.com/OADSP/

Provider Certification Workshop Participant

DSP Magnent Association Member Find out more at www.blitzcreative.com

OPRA Member Find out more at www.opra.org

Advocacy Army Participant

 

What Is The "DSP Experience?"

DSPX is Direct Support Professionals providing valuable feedback and essential input to Ohio's DODD Workforce Crisis Taskforce, with an aim to improve recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, and career growth.

CLICK TO REGISTER HERE

LET'S START WITH THE WHO
 
Your DSP Experience starts the moment you're drawn into the I/DD field, and it continues through orientation with the Direct Support Professional position and with your workplace; as you get to know your colleagues and supported individuals; while you discover opportunities for engagement, learning, and growth; and during every milestone of your Direct Support career.
 
Your DSP Experience is shaped by the culture and philosophy of your workplace, as well as those of local and state leadership, including government agencies (like County Boards of DD and Ohio's DODD) and industry-affiliated associations and groups (like OADSP).
MOVING ON TO THE "WHY"
 
By sharing your DSP Experience, your workplaces and system leadership learn about DSPs' common needs, hopes, fears, and ideas - straight from the source - and can set about implementing mechanisms of change and improvement more effectively. Ultimately, your DSP Experience is enriched and enhanced. And the positive impact of these actions and responses on people with I/DD can't be overstated.

DSP Life: a free social network to connect DSPs

We have an exciting new networking opportunity for all!

DSP Life is a free social network designed to connect DSPs, who often feel isolated, to a large community of support.

This is a place for YOU to share, learn, speak up and receive community support.

Please sign up at dsplife.com

 

Refer a Manager or Nursing Staff Get $500

Want a way to make extra money that requires nearly no work?? Independence has a referral program. Have someone you know (or someone you just met) apply for a manager or nursing position. Make sure they indicate that you referred them. Once they reach their 6 months of employment then, you receive $500. Contact HR with any questions.

 

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

**If you have any pictures you would like to share, please send them to Cora Denning at cdenning@iopci.org or Michelle Madden at mmadden@iopci.org

Paid Time to Get Vaccinated!

If you are still in need of the vaccination, please make sure you read the following information:

-Up to four hours of paid time sick time for each vaccination dose, at regular rate of pay.

-Reasonable time off up to 16 hours, paid at regular rate of pay for any side effects experienced following each vaccination dose.

-If employee has available sick time, employee will be required to use accrued paid sick time for vaccination or recovery of side effects.

Contact HR with any questions.

IOPCI’s CEO, Colleagues, and Leadership in the disability community had the honor of meeting with Governor DeWine to discuss the challenges and future of disability services.
We are grateful to Governor DeWine for his caring and thoughtful discussion and for his questions about the workforce crisis, employment opportunities, technology, transportation, and child care!

New service available to all DSP's paid for by Portage DD

Need support with home or work issues?

Contact Success CoachChristopher Konieczko, M. Ed.

Colman Professional Services

Email: chris.konieczko@colemanservices.org

Phone: 330-333-2599

Completely Confidential

 

Refer a Friend Get $250

Want a way to make extra money that requires nearly no work?? Independence has a referral program. Have someone you know (or someone you just met) apply to work here. Make sure they indicate that you referred them. Once they reach their 6 months of employment then, you receive $250. Contact HR with any questions.

Dont forget to "like" us on Facebook

Reminder: Wash your hands, wear your mask, keep 6 feet apart, and stay home if you are sick.

More COVID-19 and vaccination information is provided below.  


Please be advised that until further notice, our agency will only provide fingerprinting and background services for healthcare and education professionals.  If you have any questions regarding this policy or our availability to provide this service, please contact our front desk at 330-296-2851.


COVID-19 Information

 How to Remove and Put on Your Mask: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/pdfs/2010-133.pdf


COVID-19 Vaccination Information

To obtain the COVID-19 vaccination, please contact one of the following: 

Portage County Health Department 

705 Oakwood Street, 2nd floor, Ravenna 

(330) 296-9919 

CVS Pharmacy 

318 E Main St, Ravenna 

(330) 296-3871  

Walgreens 

144 E Main St, Ravenna 

(330) 298-4297 

Search vaccines.gov to find locations near you. 

Text your ZIP code to 438829 to find locations near you. 

Call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you. 

 


Local Covid Testing Sites

 

Image and link for Teladoc

 


Teladoc

For our employees that have elected UMR as their health insurance provider, through Independence Inc, please be aware that UMR continues to monitor the situation and formulate plans to keep their members safe.  UMR will cover all testing at no cost for members.  They will also continue to cover Teladoc visits with no member responsibility, more information can be found below or on your ID card.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image and link to DSP Job promotional video

DSP Ohio was developed to try and make more caring people aware of the opportunities available to work as Direct Support Professionals.  This video was put together by DSP Ohio and might be appreciated by staff already working in these important positions.  Feel free to share it with others that might be interested in working in this field.


 

Image and link to the Best Benefits Club

Image and link to Start Talking about drug use

Ravenna Athletic Center Logo and link