Bethany’s career in the I/DD field began nearly 30 years ago. She spent her first decade as a Direct Support Professional and worked in a variety of settings, including a 32-bed intermediate care facility (ICF) and smaller group homes. She took a promotion to Program Coordinator at Muskingum Residentials, Inc., and there her major responsibilities included hiring and training staff, conducting assessments, and writing habilitative programs. In 2010, Bethany began to mentor for DSPaths, and went through the series with her mentees to understand how to best support them. After completing the program’s Certificate of Initial Proficiency (CIP), Bethany became a certified instructor for DSPaths and the program’s Mideast Regional Coordinator. Over the next few years, her passion for DSP advocacy grew, and she eventually transitioned her full-time hours to OADSP. Bethany has performed many roles with OADSP, including the Credentialing & Outreach Coordinator, co-editor of the E-FLASH newsletter, and Chief Operating Officer. In 2015, she succeeded Amy Gerowitz as OADSP’s Executive Director. Bethany’s accomplishments include her selection as the 2010 Maureen Corcoran Award winner; two published articles in NADSP’s newsletter; creating OADSP’s statewide grading system for DSPaths’ CIP and Certificate of Advanced Proficiency portfolios; establishing OADSP’s DSP and Frontline Supervisors Councils; and developing OADSP’s annual Summit. Additionally, Bethany has written and presented seminars at state and national conferences, and she is a Maxwell certified coach.
Becky has been working and volunteering in the I/DD field since 1992, and her very first position was as a Direct Support Professional. Becky is passionate about high-quality service delivery for individuals with disabilities that ensure they have the same kind of life choices as anyone else. Consequently, she’s dedicated to supporting DSPs: she firmly believes that training and education, robust career pathways, and fair compensation for the critical and invaluable work they do elevates the profession and results in that quality care. Most recently, Becky served as OADSP Board President and a member of the Board Development Committee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. She lives in Fairfield Township, Ohio, near Cincinnati, with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and the outdoors.
More than three decades ago, Katrina embarked on her career in the United Kingdom, commencing her journey as a nurse with a specialization in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1996, she made a significant move to Cincinnati, where she dedicated several years to working as a house manager for an agency. While simultaneously raising her children, Katrina expanded her expertise by becoming a certified instructor for DSPaths, eventually ascending to the position of Southwest Regional Coordinator. Over the course of the next ten years, she took on various roles within OADSP. Following a four-year hiatus, Katrina made a return to OADSP in 2023. Her unwavering dedication is rooted in her deep inspiration and passion for OADSP’s mission to establish direct support as a respected professional career path, while simultaneously enhancing compensation, improving the industry’s image, and increasing public awareness of the vital role it plays.
A native of Akron, Ohio, Kevin has worked for over 30 years in the I/DD field, primarily in northeastern Ohio. He has been actively involved with DSPaths for more than a decade, specifically in collaboration with the program’s Licensed Entities, from onboarding through learners’ completion of the different curricula. Kevin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and Certificate in Gerontology from The University of Akron, and an M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Kent State University. Kevin also serves as the Executive Director of the Stark County Medical Society.