A Closer Look at Frontline Initiative

Hosted by Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Are you a direct support professional or frontline supervisor who loves to learn more about best practices for supporting people with intellectual disability? In “A Closer Look,” we explore the most current and relevant issues covered in "Frontline Initiative." Produced by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, "Frontline Initiative" is a bi-annual online magazine by and for the direct support workforce. z.umn.edu/FrontlineInitiative

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14 recent

October 21, 202624 min

New Episode 14: “Bringing My Best Self to Being a Shared Living Provider” with Teshawna Sawyer, Community Support Network, Kearney, Nebraska

Teshawna has been a shared living provider for 14 years, so she knows how to pace herself. Self-care is critical to being successful along with being well trained and informed of current issues. Listen to find out how she manages her life, raising a family, being an involved aunt and partner, as well as being a long-term shared living provider for Matt.

October 21, 202627 min

Episode 13: "Why not Try?" with Guest Sasha Fontaine, DSP, Aspire Inc., Aberdeen, South Dakota

It was easy to assume Paula, the person she supported, wouldn’t enjoy certain activities, until Sasha decided to question her own assumptions. Listen to how challenging her own biases has changed how she provides direct support.

May 1, 202644 min

Episode 12: Exactly When He Wanted: David Liscomb’s Path to a Fulfilling Retirement

Planning for retirement isn’t something often done by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), but David Liscomb isn’t like most people. As he was approaching retirement he made a plan with his trusted ally, John Leo. Listen to David talk about what is important for DSPs to know when supporting someone to plan their retirement.

May 14, 202515 min

Episode 11: Dupree Edwards talks about the DSP who wouldn't give up on him.

Dupree once struggled with tasks like cooking, cleaning, and daily living skills. He felt DSPs gave up on him, but things started to get better when Miss Gail came into the picture. She taught Dupree that freedom has responsibility and she believed that he could achieve his dreams.

November 16, 202432 min

Episode 10: Tammy Murner at Black Hills Works

A quiet revolution began over a decade ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where the spirit of innovation transforms lives at Black Hills Works (BHW). At the heart of this change is the Technology and Innovation team led by their dynamic director, Tammy Murner. The team's mission is to transform the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) Murner notes. through the strategic use of technology. “It all started with a single vision to support peoples’ self-determination and independence through the use of technology and has grown into a comprehensive program,” explains Murner. “We began small, but our commitment to innovation led us to partnerships and grants that allow us to expand our reach.” If you have ideas for topics you would like us to talk about contact Chet at: frontline-dsps@umn.edu.

November 16, 202424 min

Episode 9: Larry Williams, Anthony Grindstaff and Susan Arwood on Enabling Technology

DSP Anthony Grindstaff, Larry Williams, and Susan Arwood share how enabling technology has changed Larry’s life for the better and how a visit from the Tennessee Governor’s wife, Maria Lee, provided Larry with new enabling technology for his back door. Larry receives support, and Anthony and Susan work for Core Services of Northeast Tennessee. Thanks to his technology, he now has much more freedom to do the things he wants when he wants to do them. Resources Core Services Productions. (2024). Remote Support Specialist [video]. Core Services Productions. (2021). Chris the Remote Support Specialist using Nucleus [video]. Tech First SHIFT. (2024). Accreditation. Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. (2024). Enabling Technology. If you have ideas for topics you would like us to talk about contact Chet at: frontline-dsps@umn.edu.

October 30, 202439 min

Episode 8: Nick Smith on DSP Advocating for themselves and Voting

As DSP we are accustomed to speaking up for the wants and needs of the people we support. Nic shares his story of speaking up for himself and all DSPs on a national stage. Nicholas Smith has been a Direct Support Professional for over 25 years. He has worked at SPIN, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the past 17 years. He was a contributor in the 2023 issue of Frontline Initiative, DSPs use the NADSP Code of Ethics to Support People. You can find the issue here: https://ici.umn.edu/products/-aj88oT2QS6F633fE0LpLQ If you have ideas for topics you would like us to talk about contact Chet at: frontline-dsps@umn.edu.

October 30, 202429 min

Episode 7: Nick Smith is Seeing the Possibilities

Nic is a master of looking past the barrier and seeing the possibilities. As a seasoned DSP he has developed the skills of really listening to what the people he supports are saying, and working with his team to make dreams and wishes come true. Nicholas Smith has been at Direct Support Professional for over 25 years. He has worked the past 17 years at SPIN, Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nick contributed to Frontline Initiative's issue on DSPs using the NADSP Code of Ethics to Support People. You can find the issue here: https://ici.umn.edu/products/-aj88oT2QS6F633fE0LpLQ If you have ideas for topics you would like us to talk about contact Chet at: frontline-dsps@umn.edu.

March 29, 202428 min

Episode 6: Guest: Amy Hewitt "No one is better at telling your story than you are."

Our guest is Amy Hewitt, Ph.D., director of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. Amy explains that as direct support professionals, you have to fight for what you need and for the recognition and respect that you deserve – and she knows! Amy has been a direct support professional, is a family member of someone who has support, and has been in the field for years.

February 23, 202430 min

Episode 5: Advocating for Yourself with Megan Russell

Megan Russell has supported Jay as a direct support professional (DSP) for the past 10 years. In this episode, Megan talks about her experience at the NADSP Advocacy Symposium where she learned the skills to advocate for herself and the people she supports to her legislators. She explains the importance of personal storytelling and shares that it's not as intimidating as she thought. Read Megan Russell's story: Share link to FI story when it's public - Frontline Initiative [update link] Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)