I never imagined when I started my first part time position as a direct support professional in 1993 that I would still be working in the human services field 28 years later and would have the opportunity to meet and connect with so many different people. This past week was my first week back out on the road in 2021. Even as the pandemic continues with all the additional challenges that it brings, I am continually encouraged by the commitment, creativity, and dedication that I see from the people I meet in workshops to decreasing workplace conflict and creating safer environments for everyone in their organizations by building healthy relationships and focusing on positive behavior support approaches.
Now as vaccinations are becoming available and COVID numbers are showing some signs of decreasing, I think about the things that we have had to do differently over that last year. Certainly, this experience will have a lasting effect on all of us and hopefully we will use what we have learned through this process to enhance the work we do. As we at The Mandt System seek to improve the quality of our material and training events, I look forward to teaching and learning from the people I meet as we work together to help decrease workplace conflict and create environments where people can say “in this place, and with these people, I feel safe.”
Doug ZehrVogt, Mandt System Faculty
