The community
you've been
missing.

Peer support, real conversations, and videos made by and for DSPs - not 10-hour training days. Connect with verified peers who know exactly what your day looks like.

Learn More

Currently in alpha  ·  No agency required  ·  Real DSPs, real conversations Anyone can browse. Verification unlocks posting, comments, and mentorship - and keeps the conversation real.

DSP Cafe home feed

A space that finally gets your work.

DSP Cafe is a verified community platform for Direct Support Professionals: a place to talk, learn, and connect without having to explain what you do first.

Community Tables

Topic-based discussion groups for everything from burnout to best practices. Real conversations with verified peers.

Videos

Training tips, day-in-the-life moments, and real talk from DSPs in the field. Share your own and get featured.

Mentorship

Find experienced DSPs willing to share what they know. Or become a mentor and give back to the field.

Resources

Curated resources, tools, and events. Everything useful, nothing padded to fill a training binder.

Everything in one place.

From your daily feed to deep community discussions. DSP Cafe is built around how DSPs actually think and work.

Community Tables screen
Community Tables
Mentorship screen
Mentorship

Why we verify, and why it matters.

The best conversations happen between people who truly understand the work. DSP Cafe is built for that: every member is a verified Direct Support Professional. That means you can be honest, ask hard questions, and get real answers without performing for an audience that doesn't understand you.

Agency Email Instant

Work email from a recognized agency domain confirms your affiliation automatically.

Invite Code Instant

Agency admins and conference organizers can distribute codes to their staff and attendees.

ID Badge Photo Reviewed

Upload a photo of your work ID badge. Our team reviews it within 24 hours.

LinkedIn Profile Reviewed

Link a LinkedIn profile showing your DSP work history for manual verification.

Member Vouch Reviewed

An existing verified member can vouch for you directly from their profile.

Experience is the most useful thing in this field. Share what you know.

New DSPs need connection. Veterans want to give back. Mentorship makes both happen.

Become a Mentor

Share what 5, 10, or 15 years in the field taught you. Help someone survive their first year.

Find a Mentor

Get paired with a verified DSP who's been where you are and knows how to navigate it.

1 Choose your path: mentor or mentee
2 Share your experience and goals
3 Get matched by specialty and availability
4 Connect via chat or video on your schedule
Featured Mentor sample
D
Denise Carter
Lead DSP · 12 years
3 mentees

"I started as a part-time aide and worked my way to lead. I know how overwhelming the first year can be. I want to help new DSPs feel confident and supported."

Residential care Burnout recovery First-year support
M
Marcus W.
Job Coach · 8 years
2 mentees

"Specializing in community integration and supported employment. Happy to help DSPs moving into job coaching roles."

Job coaching Community integration

If you support someone every day, this is yours.

  • Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
  • Residential and day program staff
  • Job coaches and community navigators
  • New staff looking for a real network
  • Veterans who want to give back

"I've worked in this field for 11 years and never had a place to just... talk to other DSPs. This is it."

M
Maria T.
DSP, 11 years

Illustrative example. Real testimonials coming from alpha testers.

Support your staff beyond the schedule.

Agencies can partner with DSP Cafe to give their staff access to a verified community, professional development content, and peer support without building it themselves.

Talk to Us

Ready to join?

Currently in alpha. Reach out to request access.