Friends For Life Podcast
The Friends for Life Podcast dives deep into the topic of Developmental Disabilities, and also discusses topics such as hard work, motivation and entrepreneurship for those who are disabled.
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In this heartfelt episode of IDD Health Matters, Dr. Craig Escude sits down with Deb Davis, a dedicated nurse and advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Deb shares her inspiring journey into the field of IDD support, reflecting on how she found her calling and became a champion
In this heartfelt episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, Tony Sttuart speaks directly to parents and guardians of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Tony highlights the unique challenges caregivers face—balancing long work hours, providing Direct Care at home, and dealing with unreliab
Ep 230: Addressing the DSP Workforce Crisis: Rising Wages, High Turnover & Barriers in Disability Services
In this episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, we explore the challenges facing the direct support professional (DSP) workforce, despite recent increases in hourly wages. Although DSPs saw an average hourly wage of $15.79 nationwide in 2022—a historic first—the high turnover rate of over 40% continues to strain dis
In this episode of the IDD Health Matters Podcast, host Dr. Craig Escudé is joined by Julie Foster Hagan, Louisiana’s State Director of Developmental Disability Services. Recorded live from the NASDDDS conference, Dr. Escudé and Julie discuss the vital work being done to enhance health equity and employment opportuniti
Ep 229: Finding Purpose Through Direct Support: A DSP’s Journey of Care, Growth, and Music
In this episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, our guest shares a heartfelt journey into the world of Direct Support, highlighting the deep connections he’s built with those he cares for and the personal growth he’s experienced. Since starting his career nearly two years ago, he’s not only found joy in supporting oth
Ep 228: Rising Autism Diagnoses: Understanding the 175% Increase and Its Impact on Healthcare
In this episode of the Friends for Life Podcast, we dive into recent research that reveals a striking rise in autism diagnoses across the United States, up by 175% over the last decade. This increase spans all age groups, but some groups are experiencing even higher rates, especially young adults and minority children.