Direct Support Professional Certification Project

2003

The Direct Support Professional(DSP) Certification Project began in October of 2000, and was dedicated to planning and piloting a 40-hour training curriuclum for DSPs, with optional certification available. With no designated statewide training in place, providers of developmental disabilities community-based services and supports were in need of a standardized curriculum for both new and old hires to improve their capacity to support individuals with Dev. disabilitlies in acheiving independence, productivitiy, integration and inclusion in their communities. In Year 2, the curriculum was developed and professionally formatted, and the training was piloted twice. Six training regions were designated statewide, and in Year 3, one Host Agency for each region will be selected. Each Host Agency will coordinate the DD providers in their region to plan and develop training scedules to offer the curriculum on a regular basis. Year 3 funding will also provide for the videotaping of the 23-section curriculum, which will then be available to all consumers, families and providers in Arkansas to serve as emergency training when the live training is uanavailable.

Direct Support Professional Training

Training Trainees

Quality of Life

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees)

Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote

State

N/A