The True Professional

The True Professional is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which has developed a program to empower excellence by elevating service quality for individuals with disabilities. Founded in September 2023, The True Professional (“TTP”) improves the quality of services for adults with autism living in residential environments. The quality of residential services is tied directly to the training of Direct Service Professionals (“DSPs”). DSPs typically receive only state-required and administrative training, which is largely focused on compliance and paperwork requirements. The result of the TTP training is greater job satisfaction for DSPs, more empowered residents, deeper relationships throughout the home, and a higher quality of life, and enhanced dignity for all. To address the gap in DSP professional development, TTP developed a proprietary curriculum for a meaningful, multifaceted, in-person workshop and a mobile app, as well as quality assessment metrics and tools designed for data collection. The program is taught by a combined team of clinical and business professionals, as well as parents of individuals with disabilities who have studied residential facilities nationwide for many years and developed such facilities. TTP conducted a pilot to validate its hypothesis that professionalizing DSPs increases the quality of services provided. TTP collected data on all participants before and after the course to determine if the program had an impact on the quality of services. TTP training instills a philosophy of excellence and a dedication to quality service in DSPs. DSPs learn to lead by example, adopt a client-centered approach, and maintain professionalism in challenging residential settings by always bringing it back to “what is in the best interest of the client.” Participants are encouraged to treat residents with respect and dignity, and are trained how to provide them with meaningful choice, independence and opportunities to build their own skills.