NADSP Accredited Education
The curricula and programs listed below include all of the current providers of accredited education for direct support professionals and frontline supervisors. NADSP accreditation demonstrates that programs effectively teach the ethics, knowledge, and skills that constitute best practice in community support, and can prepare staff for NADSP certification. Organizations seeking to have their education and training become accredited by NADSP can use the Accredited Education Guidebook to learn more and submit their application.
For additional questions on accreditation, please contact Director of Certification and Accreditation, Dan Hermreck at dhermreck@nadsp.org or 785-328-9328.
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) develops numerous staff development options to improve the knowledge and skills of both Direct Support Professionals and Frontline Supervisors. Any NADSP training, curricula, webinar, or conference is inherently considered to be accredited by NADSP.
This would include offerings such as:
Direct Support Professional (DSP) Accredited Education
The College of Direct Support (CDS)
The College of Direct Support is a multimedia, interactive, web-based curriculum. CDS offers training in content areas that have been identified as critical to successfully supporting people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in the community. For more information go to www.directcourseonline.com/direct-support/
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
The US DOL now has a certified apprenticeship program for the occupational title of direct support specialist. Certified apprenticeship programs must meet the federal guidelines and be reviewed and approved by the NADSP. For more information, go to www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20101026
Relias
Relias offers online learning, staff compliance training and continuing education for organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities, as well as behavioral health, mental health, addiction treatment, community health, community action and child welfare. Their training for direct support professionals is fully accredited by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. For more information go to www.relias.com.
DSPATHS
Created and offered by the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP), DSPaths is OADSP’s flagship credentialing program for adult learners already working in the I/DD field. DSPaths was created to help legitimatize direct support as a professional career track, and, consequently, improve compensation, industry image, and public awareness of the role. Parallel objectives include bettering the quality of services and supports, and boosting retention and recruitment outcomes. All components of DSPaths are based on best-practices models, including NADSP’s Competency Areas and Code of Ethics. DSPaths offers progressive learning levels that teach, reinforce, and build the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities of a highly qualified Direct Support Professional. For more information, visit www.oadsp.org.
North Dakota Community Staff Training Program
North Dakota has provided staff training through a cooperative effort of the North Dakota Department of Human Services , the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University, and community agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities. Full-time direct support and professional staff are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills learned through training modules and a series of field-based practica. For more information, please visit https://www.ndcpd.org/projects/cstp/
ARC Broward PATHS Certificate Program
The PATHS Certificate Program is designed to create a competency based and credentialed career path for Direct Support Professionals. Coupled with mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and placement resources, PATHS will support students to find a career in this high demand field. Each student who successfully completes the Certification of initial and Advanced Proficiency class sessions and achieves a passing grade on Program assessments will receive a PATHS Certificate. For more information, please visit http://www.arcbrowardlearning.com/DSPATHS
The Academy for Direct Support Professionals- The Center for Disability and Development at Texas A&M University
The Academy for Direct Support Professionals is a collaborative partnership between the two Texas Universities for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University and the Center on Disability Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. Candidates pursuing entry level recognition as a DSP are required by The Academy to take an introductory course in Person Centered Practices along with other requirements. Candidates pursuing certification as a DSP-C I or II are required to have a working knowledge of how to support a person with a disability by demonstrating Person Centered Thinking skills with a focus person who receives services. Candidates participate as a part of a cohort facilitated by a Person Centered Thinking Certified Trainer where they are encouraged to share learning from their experiences. Cohort meetings occur ongoing throughout the training process as candidates learn new skills, practice, demonstrate and share learning. www.nadsp-academy-overview.pdf
Star Services
STAR Services provides engaging online and live curriculum for social service professionals, including photos, video, audio and story-based learning that requires the learner to interact with the content. STAR uses expert experience and examples from the field, person-centered philosophy and evidence-based content in areas of compliance, regulations, continuing education and skills development. Content and competency measures help learners put the person-firstas they explore information critical to supporting the needs of individuals with disabilities. For more information go to www.starsvcs.com.
Open Future Learning
Open Future Learning is changing the way Direct Support Staff learn. Leading organizations use our resource because we inspire and engage their staff. Direct Support Staff deserve specialist and dedicated training. Open Future Learning is 100% dedicated to the field of developmental disabilities. For more information and to access our free trial visit: www.openfuturelearning.org
The Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, Inc. is a statewide association of health and human service agencies. Founded in 1975, the Providers’ Council is the state’s largest human service trade association and is widely recognized as the official voice of the private provider industry. The Providers’ Council’s Human Services Credentialing Program is a set of curricula designed to develop and implement standards and competencies for Direct Support and Direct Service Professionals within the field of human services. Learn more by visiting: http://providers.org/pages/human-services-credentialing-program
Shift
Shift is a nationally-recognized education and accreditation platform designed to professionalize and standardize Technology First programming and practices. Credentialing, certification and accreditation programs spark individual and organizational transformation through interactive courses, live webinars, practical tools, and community connections. Our Enabling Technology Fundamentals courses are accredited by NADSP and include topics such as Technology First best practices, roles and responsibilities, and person-centered assessment and planning for enabling technology integration. For more information go to techfirstshift.com.
Optimae LifeServices
Optimae LifeServices provides health care and human services for individuals with disabilities and mental illness from nearly 40 central, eastern and southern Iowa counties. With education as one of its core values, Optimae is committed to providing its employees with the tools and training they need to be successful in service to their communities. The organization’s research-based training program is fully accredited by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. For more information, go to www.optimaelifeservices.com.
IntellectAbility
IntellectAbility is the developer and provider of the Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST), which has been used in multiple states and provider agencies across the US for over 20 years. In addition to the HRST, IntellectAbility provides numerous health-related and person-centered thinking trainings for supporters of people with IDD. For more information, visit www.ReplacingRisk.com.
My ODP
The mission of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice and opportunity in their lives. The office seeks to continuously improve an effective system of accessible services and supports that are flexible, innovative and person-centered. Trainings completed through My ODP are accredited by the NADSP. For more information visit https://www.myodp.org/.
Tennessee Board of Regents Direct Support Professional Training
The Tennessee Board of Regents offers the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Program, designed to transform the landscape of healthcare support for adults with disabilities and elderly individuals. The program focuses on key roles such as daily living specialists, community health workers, and caregivers, skillfully combining online learning with real-world, hands-on experience for a well-rounded and engaging educational experience. This innovative approach ensures the development of a skilled and qualified healthcare workforce, enhancing the quality of care in various healthcare settings. It is fully accredited by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. For more information, go to https://www.tbr.edu/academics/direct-support-professional-training.
Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Accredited Education
The Training Collaborative for Innovative Leadership
The Training Collaborative for Innovative Leadership is a shared venture developed by and for community based organizations. Trainings are competency based, promoting best practices. Curriculum include courses for Direct Support Supervisors and Assistant Managers, DSP professional development, and “Leading the Code” training for emerging leaders. The programs are designed to promote quality excellence by focusing on strategies that enhance personal outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
www.facebook.com/thetrainingcollaborative/
Open Future Learning
Open Future Learning is changing the way Direct Support Staff learn. Leading organizations use our resource because we inspire and engage their staff. Direct Support Staff deserve specialist and dedicated training. Open Future Learning is 100% dedicated to the field of developmental disabilities. For more information and to access our free trial visit: www.openfuturelearning.org
Relias Learning
Relias Learning offers online learning, staff compliance training and continuing education for organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities, as well as behavioral health, mental health, addiction treatment, community health, community action and child welfare. Their training for direct support professionals is fully accredited by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. For more information go to www.relias.com/.
The College of Frontline Supervision, Management, and Leadership (CFSM)
The College of Frontline Supervision, Management, and Leadership (CFSM) is a multimedia, interactive, web-based curriculum. The CFSM offers training targeted to frontline supervisors, managers, and all types of leaders (including CEOs, HR directors, board members, and people and families who direct their own services). The content is grounded in the NADSP Code of Ethics and supports person-centered practices. This curriculum will empower supervisors, managers, and leaders to develop their leadership knowledge and competence. It is fully accredited by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. For more information go to http://directcourseonline.com/direct-support/