Posted on October 27, 2026
Certification has “literally changed the culture” of Penn-Mar
Penn-Mar CEO Greg Miller vividly recalls the industry conference where he first heard Joe Macbeth, President and CEO of the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), describe the people who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as skilled professionals whose work deserves recognition.
The message “stirred something” in Greg and became the catalyst for Penn-Mar’s partnership with NADSP. With the initial approval and support from the Penn-Mar Foundation, the Career Ladders program offered a structured pathway combining training, national certification, mentoring, leadership opportunities and compensation growth. Its purpose is clear: to help DSPs build careers while strengthening retention and the quality of support.
The program’s growth was made possible by Kay and Jim Pitts, who established the Michael James Pitts Endowment in 2016 with a $1.5 million gift honoring their son Michael who had received support from Penn-Mar since 2009. Their generosity inspired other families and friends to contribute, helping grow the endowment toward its $10 million goal. Kelly Baker, a former DSP and Career Ladders Program Manager since 2019, helped replace NADSP’s cumbersome Portfolio certification process with its E-Badge Academy. The self-paced online model makes certification easier to fit into demanding work and personal schedules.
With support and autonomy from her supervisor Jen Skelly, Kelly expanded the program’s resources, onboarding, and mentorship to help DSPs progress from DSP I to DSP III certification.
Since 2016, 221 DSPs have earned credentials through Career Ladders. Today, 125 current team members hold certifications, with another 109 working toward theirs. “Investing in our team’s long-term careers protects the trusted, stable partnerships that help the people Penn-Mar supports thrive,” said Kelly.
Kelly is especially proud that Career Ladders creates opportunities that did not exist before. The national credentials stay with DSPs throughout their careers, giving them lasting recognition and mobility.
“I now see myself as a leader…modeling Penn-Mar’s core values and mission.” — DSP Amanda Glenney
The program’s greatest outcome may be the transformation of DSP identity. Kelly has seen participants move from seeing themselves as caregivers to recognizing themselves as skilled professionals who bring greater confidence, intention, and accountability to their work. “Certification is all about being valued and seen, and it creates a huge ripple effect. When the DSPs grow, so do the people they support,” she said.
“The Career Ladders program has… taught me to listen with my whole body, because often, talking is done without words.” — DSP Renee Kephart
“Our certified DSPs have literally changed the culture of our organization,” Kelly said. “The work is demanding, but DSPs repeatedly meet challenges with resilience, compassion, and empathy because they believe the people they support deserve to live courageously. They will try over and over to achieve that outcome. They never give up.”
For Kelly, the 10-year anniversary is an opportunity to measure more than credentials earned. It marks a lasting culture shift: DSPs are better equipped to understand communication, respond to unmet needs, lead with Penn-Mar values, and build stable partnerships that enable people with IDD to thrive.
“I now see every behavior as having meaning, often tied to past experiences or unmet needs rather than just something to manage.” — DSP Whitney Dorsey
Joe Macbeth calls Penn-Mar a national leader in showing that investment in DSPs strengthens the entire support system. “The success of this partnership reflects what is possible when organizations embrace DSPs as skilled professionals whose development directly impacts the quality of supports and services people receive,” Joe said.
Ten years later, Career Ladders has become more than a certification program. It has helped DSPs see new possibilities for their careers while strengthening the support they provide every day. As Kelly puts it, “When people begin to believe in themselves, we see a shift in how they do their work and give support.”
“As a DSP we may not make world impact, but we sure can make an impact on the people we support, one interaction at a time.” — DSP Kim Njuguna