CANTON – The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence (www.thearcjslc.org) recently recognized several employees for completing certifications with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) E-Badge Academy. 

Through the Academy, Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and Front Line Supervisors (FLS) get credit for competency by achieving stackable electronic badges, which can then be used to attain nationally-recognized NADSP Certification. The E-Badge Academy provides practical, tangible, and demonstrable recognition of the knowledge, skills, and practices of DSPs and FLSs. 

The agency began working with E-Badge Academy with NADSP and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities during their pilot program in 2024. Since that time, the staff who have completed levels of accreditation have received $29,500 for their submitted work and The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence has been reimbursed $20,500 for training. 

“We are very proud of the DSPs and Frontline Supervisors for taking on this extra level of professional development to enhance the lives of people they support at The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence,” said Lynn Pietroski, Chief Executive Office of The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence. “Far too often, the skills and expertise of these hard-working employees goes unnoticed, so this gives us an opportunity to showcase the amazing work being done each day.”  

Staff members being recognizing for their hard work in reaching the accreditations includes:

• Tory Cloe: FLS, DSP I, DSP II and DSP III
• Christine Daniels: DSP I and DSP II
• Krista Decker: FLS, DSPI, DSP II and DSP III
• Mike Forget: FLS, DSP I and DSP II
• Christina Gooch: DSP I
• Amanda Hodkinson: FLS, DSP I, DSP II and DSP III
• Elyse Marriam: FLS, and DSP I
• Jessica Lacelle Castor: DSP I and DSP II
• Beth Morales: DSP I, DSP II, DSP III and FLS
• Mary Nier: DSP I
• Katja Richardson: FLS, SDP I, DSP II and DSP III
• Katherine Roberts: FLS
• Heidi Stalker: DSP I, DSP II, DSP III and FLS
• Lisa Wischoff: FLS 

To date, The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence has had 12 employees complete DSP I accreditation, nine people completed DSP II, and six employees finished DSP III. Another ten Direct Support Professionals have completed certification as Front Line Supervisors. Six members of the agency’s team have completed all levels of E-Badge Academy. To learn more, visit www.thearcjslc.org or find us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.