Direct Support Professionals Fellowship Program

Sue is a social worker at the CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre and is thrilled to serve as coordinator of the Direct Support Professionals Fellowship Program with the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. Sue is also a mindfulness teacher responsible for developing and delivering mindfulness programs designed for care providers, caregivers and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Sue comes to the Direct Support Fellowship Program with 30 years’ experience as a DSP; first having provided community-based case management, then in a lead role developing and delivering staff rights training. Sue has also delivered human rights education to persons with disabilities and their support networks at ARCH Disability Law Centre. Sue is excited to work with the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence to support and strengthen the lives of care providers across Canada.

Claudiane is passionate about the wellbeing of direct support professionals who work with individuals with severe behaviours. Claudiane is currently completing her master’s degree in psychoeducation at Université de Montréal, where she will be pursuing her studies as a doctorate student in fall 2023. Claudiane comes with 16 years of experience as a special education instructor.

Claudiane recently completed her final internship with the Service Quebecois d’expertise en troubles graves du comportement, where she planned projects related to competency-based training and creating tools for health workers working with people with severe behavioral disorders that are under the health and social services system’s authority. Claudiane brings a warmth to the DS Fellows, representing the interests of Francophone DSPs as well.

Olabisi is a direct support professional with over 13 years of experience delivering care for people with disabilities in Canada and abroad.

Since she began her career as a direct support professional in 2010, she has focused on assisting and encouraging the individuals she supports to achieve their personal goals through the development of life skills.

She worked as a disability support worker and advocate in Nigeria for over one and a half years before moving to the United Kingdom, where she obtained a diploma in health and social care and gained experience working in a long-term mental rehabilitation hospital.

When Olabisi moved to Canada, she maintained her commitment to serving the disability community, and now works at St. Amant’s Community Residential Program in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Olabisi is passionate about helping people foster meaningful connections in their communities.

Jodie is the vocational counselor at the Chilliwack Society of Community Living where she works with participants of a new service called L.I.F.E.. Jodie is a strong advocate for the individuals she supports, her coworkers and the community at large. Jodie looks forward to serving fellow DSPs as part of the DSP Fellowship Program. Jodie has been working in the social service field for 30 years and resides in the lovely community of Rosedale BC.

Juanita is a proud Black woman born to Caribbean parents.
She is a CUPE member in the Ontario region and is a lead steward for Local 2191. Juanita has served the membership through various elected and appointed positions. She is currently a co-chair of CUPE’s Human Rights and Racial Justice committee in Ontario, and she is the Equity and Inclusion representative for the Social Service Workers Coordinating Committee in Ontario.

Juanita is also the chair of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Region One Under 40 Committee.

Penny has worked with Chilliwack Society for Community Living for 13 years. Penny currently works as a vocational counsellor supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in obtaining paid employment.

Penny has also provided direct support topeople living in supported homes, as a respite worker and as a community support worker in a variety of community inclusion programs. Penny is passionate about supporting people to live with dignity in their community and is equally passionate about the wellbeing of DSPs.

Shelby is a Nova Scotia Community College graduate, with ten years of experience working as a direct support professional. She actively facilitates program development and is constantly advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Currently working as a residential rehabilitation worker, she also provides support as a shop steward for her local CUPE Union and is a member of her organization’s labour management committee.

Shelby is passionate about the work she does and is considered a positive role model to her peers. She is constantly seeking out new opportunities to grow as a DSP. In the 10+ years that Shelby has been working in the field, she has never asked herself “Why am I still in this field?” but rather “How can I continue to build and strengthen it?”

Kiara is a proud and vocal DSP in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Kiara has worked on the front line in developmental services for 10 years with Community Living Thunder Bay.

Kiara stays active with her union OPSEU to learn and grow as a DSP and to feel empowered with the knowledge of a worker’s rights. Kiara believes that strong DSPs are best able to provide the most fulfilling opportunities for people receiving services.

Nik is a direct support professional at Inclusion Yukon, where he works with people with intellectual disabilities. Nik is passionate about creating an inclusive environment in the beautiful “land of the midnight sun” and helping people achieve their work and life goals.

Nik works to bring people together through helping them connect, network, and engage in their community. Nik firmly believes in a world that is united by caring and empathetic people supporting each other and themselves.

Outside of Inclusion Yukon, Nik enjoys playing and hosting Dungeons and Dragons game nights, hiking and photography.

Katelyn has dedicated over 14 years to working as a Residential Care Worker in Dartmouth, NS.

Katelyn is passionate about helping people. Katelyn’s skills and educational background includes a Child and Youth Care certificate, a Continuing Care certificate and she is currently finishing up the Disability Support course through Nova Scotia Community College. These achievements have led to her stepping into a new role as a Navigation Support Guide.

Katelyn is committed to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect and is a proud active member of her workplace’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee, where she advocates for everyone to feel safe, valued, and respected.

Outside of her professional life, Katelyn enjoys practicing yoga, spending quality time with her family and caring for her pets.

Scott is a direct support professional with a strong interest in evidence-based practices and the science of support. Scott has been doing this work for more than 20 years. In addition to providing services, Scott speaks at conferences on a variety of topics related to his extensive experience as a DSP.

Scott shares: “I noticed not everyone is, or wants to be, a leader; some struggle with following. I find myself supporting leaders, learners, followers and those who are undecided, uninformed or in between”.

Scott has passion for breaking down the silos and working toward a fully inclusive community. As part of that, Scott can often be heard talking about the importance of a role he loves – being a grandfather – in addition to his many roles in the community.

Jordan is a residential counselor for Nova Scotia’s South Shore Community Services and believes strongly that offering a safe and supportive environment is essential to providing care. Jordan has a passion for the study of disability supports and trauma-informed practices and brings this spirit to his work with the 36 participants he currently provides support for.

Jordan also volunteers for the newly formed People First South Shore NS Chapter. Supporting the voice of self-advocates is very important to Jordan.

After completing his Health Care Aide Certification, Jordan began working on a Specialized Rehabilitation unit consisting of 31 beds dedicated to spinal cord injury, amputee and neuro-musculoskeletal patients in 2014.

Jordan is excited to share his experiences working as a direct support professional (DSPs) and learn from fellow DSP’s from across Canada.