Workforce

This page is dedicated to trying to emphasize our appreciation and support of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.  These workers represent the most critical component of assuring our constituents achieve full participation and integration today’s modern society.  The Arc of California is a sponsor member of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals and is committed to their cause of professionalizing the workforce nationwide.  The NADSP has a national accreditation program for Direct Support professionals working in community human services which we fully endorse as a symbol of quality professional preparation. To learn more about this credential visit their site.  The NADSP recognized three primary approved training programs, The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, Certified apprenticeship programs), the College of Direct Support (CDS) is a multimedia, interactive, web-based curriculum, and  PATHS, a credentialing program of the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP).

January 2010

The Arc of California and the College of Direct Support (CDS)
The Arc of CA and CDS have been working closely in partnership since 2006 on our shared goal of professionalizing the workforce in California.  CDS is a provider of a quality learning management system which includes state of the art competency based online, web-based learning.  As part of this partnership we have endorsed the CDS product and there is currently 5 levels of certification involved in the available training.    
 
The Arc of CA and CDS Certification
There are a variety of levels of certifications within the College of Direct Support program for California and nationally.
 
Level 1 - Lession Completion
The first level is that each completed lesson has a completion certificate that can be printed directly from the CDS system upon successful completion.
 
Level 2 - CEUs for Course Completion
The University of Minnesota will send you Continuing Education Units certification upon course completion. You simply request the CEUs from the university, they review the request, you pay a processing fee, and they send it to you in the mail.
 
Level 3 - Curriculum Completion
The third level is a completion certificate upon successful completion of 92 lessons from the CDS curriculum. To receive this certification you and your agency executive director must request the certification by mail to The Arc of California who will then review the request and after approval will send it to you in the email ($10 processing fee).
 
Level 4 - National Credential
The fourth level of certification is a national credential by the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). The credential has a three-tiered eligibility which includes: the Registration Level (DSP-Registered), certified level for Direct Support Professional (DSP-Certified), and final level that include specialization and competence review for the Direct Support Professional (DSP-Specialist).  The national credential focuses on the 15 core competency areas listed below:   
Area 1: Participant Empowerment
Area 2: Communication
Area 3: Assessment
Area 4: Community and Service Networking
Area 5: Facilitation of Services
Area 6: Community Living Skills & Supports
Area 7: Education, Training & Self-Development
Area 8: Advocacy
Area 9: Vocational, Educational & Career Support
Area 10: Crisis Prevention and Intervention
Area 11: Organizational Participation
Area 12: Documentation
Area 13: Building and Maintaining Friendships and Relationships
Area 14: Provide Person Centered Supports
Area 15: Supporting Health and Wellness
 
Level 5 – Associates in Arts College Degree
The fifth level is the Direct Support Education (DSE) Associates Degree designed to educate students in the care of individuals with disabilities.  The program consists of six classes (18 units) that provide a broad background for working with individuals with disabilities, in addition, to the 42 units of basic education classes needed for an associates degree. The 18 units of DSE classes (CSU transferable) include: Introduction to Developmental Disabilities (DSE 1501), Documentation and Individual Rights and Choices (DSE 1502), Introduction to Medication Support (DSE 1503), Cultural Competency (DSE 1504), Teaching Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Dealing with Challenging Behavior (DSE 1505), and Maltreatment and Safety at Home and in the Community (DSE 1506). At this time, all of these classes are offered online. 
 
Certification Summary:
Level1 – Lesson Completion: System Generated Lesson Completion: automatic generation through the CDS program.
Level 2 - Course Completion CEUs from the University of Minnesota: Visit the Research and Training Center (University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities) University of Minnesota, http://rtc.umn.edu/dsp/projects1.asp for more information.
Level 3 – Curriculum Completion Certificate from The Arc of California: Mail request to 1225 8th Street, Suite 350, Sacramento, CA 95814 ($10 processing fee).
Level 4 – National Credential: National credentialing program by the National Association of Direct Support Professionals, visit their website for more information: http://www.nadsp.org/credentialing/index.asp.
Level 5 – Associates Degree (AA Degree): For more information about the AA degree in Direct Support Education from Taft College contact: Susan Vaughan, Learning Specialist, Taft College, (661) 763-7927 or email at svaughan@taft.org.
 
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The Arc of California, 1225 8th Street, Suite 350, Sacramento, CA 95814.  Office (916) 552-6619, Fax (916) 441-3494