Summary: The current worldwide news about the emergence of the Coronavirus is on everyone’s list of concerns, questions and insecurities. We created this webinar specifically for Direct Support Professionals to provide them with guidelines for understanding the virus, protecting the individuals they support in the community and offering reliable resources for ongoing news and practices.

Takeaways
• What is the Coronavirus and what is the realistic level of its threat. How can we better understand the potential for its “spread.”
• What can the DSP do to mitigate the risk of the virus.
• How can the DSP minimize the confusion, fears and anxiety about the virus on behalf of the individuals they support. How to differentiate fact from mythology about the virus. How “misinformation” can be as bad as “no information.”
• What are the current recommendations regarding recognizing the symptoms, medical treatment, prevention protocols and outcomes.

About the Presenter: Rick Rader, MD
Dr. Rader serves as the National Medical Consultant to the NADSP where he is responsible for creating training and educational content regarding health practices for DSPs. Dr. Rader has consistently advocated for the recognition that DSPs serve as the lynchpin for good health outcomes.
He is a Fellow in Developmental Medicine at the American Board of Developmental Medicine. He serves as the Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy at the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and is the President of the American Association on Health and Disability. He is the Editor in chief of Exceptional Parent Magazine and for the past twenty five years has been the Director of Habilitation at the Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. He has been an advisor to five former US Surgeon General’s in the area of disability and health. He is a member of the Medical Advisory Committee at Special Olympics International. He is a Fellow in the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Staff Training

COVID-19 Slideshow

Donning and Doffing Face Masks

Donning and Doffing Isolation Gowns

The Role of the DSP and the Coronavirus

The Role of the DSP and the Coronavirus: Part Two