Learning together, that's living.

"I was already in this line of work when I heard that Sevita was hiring. When I joined the team I began as a DSP, and then applied for the Program Director role. I see myself as a leader, so the Program Director role seemed like a good fit." 

SEVITA: How would you describe the differences between the Program Director role and the DSP role?
Kelsey: The DSP role does a lot more in-home, hands-on work than we do. Program Directors are mostly in the office managing things there—we know the clients well because many times we’ve been the DSP for those individuals. We make sure that clients get paired with the right DSP, and that the DSP will care for them, as we care for them. Clients see us as family. They don't see us as workers. They see us as family.
SEVITA: How do you figure out who's the right DSP for each individual?
Kelsey: I’ve been exposed to this work since I was eight years old. My grandmother was a supervisor at a big group home that took care of individuals with disabilities, and the elderly as well. And they would let us come – my brother and me – because it was like a family kind of a company. A lot of the clients saw me as their little (or big) sister, and so I would help out. Some of those clients I even worked with when I was at other companies!
I also have a child with a disability. So I can tell in a candidates voice how much they care about this kind of position…how much more they would prefer to work as a DSP rather than working in another hourly role, like fast food for example.

I want the new DSPs to have at least three days of training. I want to know if they
feel comfortable with this client, or if the client feels comfortable with them. 

I like the DSPs to read the information we have about the individuals. Then they get to talk to them. The individual gets to tell them everything about themselves. I would rather the DSP talk to them in person than just reading what it says, because whatever it says here, that may not be all of it. It's better if the individual can talk to them and get to know them and figure out plans and outings instead of just learning about their disability and things that they can and cannot eat.
SEVITA: We’ve heard a lot about what attracted you to the company and how you got here, so what kinds of things motivate you to stay with Sevita?
Kelsey: How we built our team together; especially in the office. That's what inspires me the most because we're not just here because we want the money. We're here as a family – a team – for each other and for the clients because that's what they deserve.
SEVITA: Tell us more about that teamwork environment you mentioned in the office and what does that look like or feel like for you?
Kelsey: Well, it makes me feel like I’m part of a family.And because we're all here for the individuals, we come together [as a team] and build that bond for them.
SEVITA: So what are you most proud of from your work here?
Kelsey: Well, since I started here, I got motivated to go to school—Shea, she’s my Area Director and the one that motivated me because that’s what she did.
When she started, I shared that I was really interested in starting school, and she explained to me about the school and how much she enjoys it. And that convinced me to sign up. Then she just kept pushing me to do well because I kept wanting to give up. She knew what it was like could understand the frustration balancing school and work. But she always came back with, “You got this!” Then when she got her degree, she sent me a picture of it that she passed and she said “it's your turn!”

She pushes me to make sure I succeed. And that's the best thing. She cares. And it's okay to care.

I know a lot of the DSPs and a couple of them are now starting to go to college because I talked about it a few times. And then Erin [co-worker], too. As soon as she found out that Shae and I were going to college, that motivated and now she’s about to graduate!

SEVITA: What advice would you give your younger self, the younger Kelsey, maybe from 10 or 20 years ago even, what would you tell her?
Kelsey: I probably would tell her, it's never going to be easy, but you got this, so never give up.
SEVITA: What would a career well lived look like to you way down the road when you're ready to leave Sevita?
Kelsey: That's a really tough question. I probably would think it feels like I did something, that I helped somebody. I showed my kids that I never gave up. I always use my kids because they're my inspiration, they're my life. And I feel like not only Shae, but they also inspired me to never give up.

Teamwork, mentoring and coaching, and caring about each other.
Now that’s what a career well-lived looks like.