What is DSP-U?

DSP-U is an educational program designed to prepare high school seniors and adult learners for work in the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities field as Direct Support Professionals – DSP’s.

DSP-U PROVIDES A RECOGNIZED INDUSTRY CREDENTIAL IN OHIO AND NATIONWIDE

DSP-U is nationally recognized, and in Ohio, it’s accredited by the state’s Department of Education to serve as an alternative pathway to high school graduation, substituting for traditional testing requirements and adding to earned credits.

How Does it Work?

DSP-U’s full program – the Certificate of Initial Proficiency (CIP) – typically runs parallel with an entire school year, but it can be modified/abbreviated for the needs of a particular school or training program.  DSP-U also offers the Basic Certificate, a program representing about half of CIP, and an excellent option for summer programming.  Additionally, both the CIP and Basic programs are deliverable in classroom settings, online, or as an in-person/online hybrid.  No matter how full the CIP program is structured and delivered, DSP-U has three components:

1: LEARN

Instruction is based in DSPaths, a nationally recognized curriculum accredited for all learners.  CIP represents 60 hours of instruction across 20 Modules; Basic represents 30 hours across 10 Modules; and either provides fundamental knowledge of the skills and abilities required to become a DSP.

2: APPLY

DSP-U students apply instructive lessons to internship experiences at I/DD providers, and settings may include Residential, Day, Respite, School, and Vocational support sites.  On average, DSP-U students spend 100 hours interning.

3: DEMONSTRATE

Students demonstrate their skills in specific competency areas by submitting work samples to the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals’ E-Badge Academy.  Each student earns 19 e-badges.

Where Can DSP-U Lead?

DSP-U helps students explore long-term career goals in the I/DD field, and it’s an outstanding foundation for professional careers in other essential fields, including:

• Health Care (Nurse, Director of Nursing, Phlebotomist, Pharmacist)
• Case Management (Service & Support Administrator, Social Worker, Qualified I/DD Professional)
• Therapy (Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory)
• Education (Teacher, Intervention Specialist, Principal, District Superintendent)
• Business (County Board of DD Superintendent, Management, Accounting, Payroll & Billing, Human Resources)

Whatever the path, participating in DSP-U is a great first step toward what can be VERY PROMISING AND MEANINGFUL CAREER DESTINATIONS.

What are Next Steps?

Click Here to fill out a simple form, and Team DSP-U will be in touch!

Want to learn even more?  Visit the OADSP site for more DSP-U information and for information about becoming a DSP-U school district.

Contacts:

Becky Watson, Director of Engagement for OADSP

Kevin Metz, Director of Education for OADSP

Chris Page, Chief Executive Officer of Threshold Residential Services