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Description of Direct Support Professional Training

The Department is committed to continuously improving service quality to ensure that individual health and safety is protected and needs are met. Recognizing that direct support staff are key to the provision of quality services, the Department has established a competency-based training program that is mandatory for all direct support staff (and administrators who provide direct support) working in licensed community care facilities. The Direct Support Professional (DSP) Training is based upon core competencies or skills necessary for satisfactory job performance.

The DSP Training is divided into two equal segments of 35 hours each to be completed in successive years for a total of 70 hours. Direct Support Professionals who are mandated to meet the training requirement, may opt to meet it by passing a challenge test for reach 35-hour training program. Those who pass the challenge test for either segment will not be required to take that specific training segment. Starting September 1, 2007, those taking either the Year 1 or Year 2 challenge test will also be required to demonstrate knowledge of how to properly assist individuals with the self-administration of medication in order to become certified.

Thirty-five Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCPs) offer the DSP Training in their respective communities at no cost to enrollees. ROCPs provide vocational training in a wide variety of occupations for high school students and adults throughout the state. ROCP trainers for the DSP Training are selected based on their education and/or experience in developmental services. Of the 80 trainers currently conducting training, approximately 11 percent are licensed health care professionals, 33 percent special education teachers, and 56 percent regional center service providers.

Each participating ROCP has a DSP Training Advisory Committee with representatives from regional centers, community care facility administrators and direct support staff. These local Advisory Committees provide input on local implementation issues, including scheduling and availability of training and outreach to direct support staff.

Since 1999, approximately 60,000 individuals have completed Year 1 or Year 2 DSP certification, either through the 35-hour training classes or through challenge tests.