In an effort to recruit and retain direct support professionals (DSPs) in Indiana, the Institute’s Center on Community Living and Careers coordinated a five-year initiative designed to offer current and newly-hired DSPs with opportunities to advance their skills, further their education, and increase their earning potential as they learn how to effectively support individuals with disabilities.  

This program, called the Indiana Direct Support Professional Initiative, is funded by the Family and Social Services Administration, Division on Disability and Rehabilitative Services.  The program involves the collaboration of the Indiana Institute, providers, professional organizations, DSPs, self-advocates families, Ivy Tech Community College, and a wide range of other state agencies. Over the next three years, nine provider organizations will have the financial support to train new and existing DSPs, a number of which will attend Ivy Tech Community College and earn a Direct Support Professional Certificate in Human Services.

Foundations of Direct Support Professionals is an orientation developed by project staff, which establishes a minimum standard of competencies in "medication administration, first aid and CPR, abuse, neglect and exploitation, person-centered service delivery, health and wellness, and communication." Taught primarily on-line with on-site or distance education options, the Foundations course is the first step in the program. One hundred and ninety-two DSPs attended the first class, which met in March of 2008. The information gathered over the next three years will be used to develop standards for recruitment and retention of DSPs in Indiana as well as assist in statewide implementation.

“DSPs who have graduated from the program will be recognized for their work and can apply for nationally recognized credentials through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).”  The overwhelmingly successful program is nearing the end of the pilot program with the first DSP graduation.  Due to the nature of the program, participants can be anywhere in the state of Indiana, which led to location difficulties in terms of graduation.  However, with the help of IHETS, DDRS is able to get a singular message of congratulations to all its participants through the streaming and archiving service provided by IHETS.  IHETS is a company that is focused on technology, education, collaboration, and its impact in the state of Indiana.  The vision and mission of DDRS in the DSP program utilize each of IHETS’ standards of service in the creation of a truly natural tie between two working organizations.  On May 15^th, IHETS aired a congratulatory message to all those people who chose to watch the webcast with the ability to go back and watch the archived video at a later time or date, relishing the completion of the program.