Four staff members earned professional certification, marking a milestone in Easterseals NH’s commitment to workforce excellence and quality care for people with disabilities
Stratham, NH, October 13, 2025 – Easterseals NH, which provides thoughtfully integrated services to approximately 17,000 children, adults, seniors, and Veterans of all abilities each year, held a graduation ceremony recently at its Stratham office recognizing four staff members who earned certification as direct support professionals (DSPs). These frontline caregivers support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their daily lives, helping them develop essential skills, achieve stability, and live as independently as possible within their communities.
The milestone marks the organization’s first DSP graduating class through its partnership with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). Easterseals NH became the first and only competency-based training provider in the state to achieve NADSP certification last year, offering direct support staff the opportunity to earn nationally recognized credentials that demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the field.
“We are incredibly proud of our direct support professionals and their dedication to growth and excellence. They are catalysts for life-changing impact, touching lives in ways that are often unseen, but always meaningful,” said Susan Silsby, Executive Vice President of Programs for Easterseals NH. “Their graduation is proof of their commitment—not just to their careers, but to the people who rely on them every day.”
Each graduate successfully completed 50 hours of accredited training and passed a rigorous competency evaluation to earn their DSP-I certification. The curriculum covered a broad range of topics, including supporting individuals with clinical needs, managing high-risk behaviors, and promoting social connection.
As part of the certification process, graduates also acquired 15 NADSP-issued electronic badges by submitting written testimonials that demonstrated how they applied their skills in real-world situations. These badges represent core competencies, such as crisis prevention and intervention, person-centered practices, community inclusion, empowerment and advocacy, and cultural competence.
Easterseals NH plans to celebrate new DSP graduates twice a year, with graduation ceremonies held in the spring and fall. This continued partnership with NADSP reinforces the organization’s commitment to professional growth and delivering high-quality care to the people it serves.
Easterseals NH is seeking motivated and passionate team members to join its direct support workforce. Staff who achieve NADSP certification are eligible for hourly pay additives. For other DSP training opportunities, visit eastersealsnh.org/training-center-of-excellence.
About Easterseals New Hampshire
Since 1936, Easterseals New Hampshire has provided exceptional services to ensure that all people with varied abilities and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. A leader in social services for individuals with disabilities and those underserved by traditional programs, Easterseals NH provides essential services and supports to approximately 17,000 children, adults, seniors, and Veterans annually. Their programs cover areas like early intervention, autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, adult day and in-home care, behavioral health, housing, and substance use disorders. Easterseals NH is a community of care for all ages, for all abilities, for life.
For more information, visit eastersealsnh.org or follow them @EastersealsNH on Facebook.
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