USING THE “C” WORD:

ADD Commissioner’s ForumFebruary 20, 2003

Marianne Taylor, (taylor@hsri.org)Human Services Research Institute

WWW.HSRI.ORG

COVENANTS OFCOMMUNITY SUPPORT

WHAT ARE THE PROMISES IN OUR SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT?

Quality support every day

Choices & control

The chance to learn, grow, plan and dream

Value – money well spent

Resources to do a good job – Education & training;Decent working conditions;Living wage; Leadership and the chance to fulfill a mission

Covenants and commitmentsThe New Freedom Initiative

My Administration is committed to tearing down the barriers to equality that face many of the 54 million Americans with disabilities... My New Freedom Initiative will help Americans with disabilities by increasing access to assistive technologies, expanding educational opportunities, increasing the ability of Americans with disabilities to integrate into the workforce, and promoting increased access into daily community life.

President George W. Bush in the Forward to the New Freedom Initiative (Executive Order 13217)President George W. Bush in the Forward to the New Freedom Initiative (Executive Order 13217)

WHO WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT:

Rapid job growth - services & retail accounting for ¾ of all wage & job growth to 2010

over half of 20 million new jobs added by 2008 will be in service sector (17% expansion)

Human services will need to fill from 1.2 million to 1.6 million new jobs by 2010.

Human Service Job Growth Compared to other industries/jobs Human/ Social services,

except child-care, ranks among the fastest growing industries.

Personal and Home Care Aides is the seventh fastest growing occupation in the nation

Human service workers and assistants is the ninth fastest

Residential counselor is the twelfth fastest

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook – 2000-01 Edition

…If a promise you don’t keep…

“C” STANDS FOR CAREER

How do we adopt a career focus?

Kick it up a notch -Revise your image of the Direct support role

Build career and educational pathways

A New Vision: Direct Support as a Profession

The Direct Support Professional assists the participant to lead a self-directed life and contribute to his/her community; and encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance inclusion in his/her community

Why are credential programs important to a career focus?

Potential workers, educators & policy makers see dead end job.

Much training is irrelevant -out of touch

People need to see where their going, how they get there and what they get when they arrive

Implication is we have to show and build career paths to add value to the role

Valid content - competencies

Credentials create scaffolds for career advncement

The core of direct service practice

Technical Skill

Ethical practice

Knowledge

Apprenticeship Features Work-based learning outlines: 2784 hours

Orientation to the DSP Role: Topics – job description and requirements, Overview of needs of people receiving support; employer’s philosophy & mission; employer policy & procedures;

Related Instruction – classroom based: 216 hoursIntro to DD Ethical & Professional Practice

Supporting People’s Well Being Special Topics Customized to

Planning & Facilitating Support work setting

Empowerment and Citizenship Supporting Healthy Lifestyles

Benchmarks of a Quality Career/ Credential Program

Competency Based - draws from CSSS or other relevant validated, competency set

Transportable - parallel curricula & identical awards at different sites

Guided by a coalition of stakeholders: educators, employers, employees, consumers

Accessible - cost, location, support

Articulates to other educational awards, AA, BA

Must add value - higher wage, college credit, expanded career opportunities

Use valid, reliable, fair assessments

Incorporate method of revising standards

Call for periodic recertification/ renewal

Certificate of Initial Proficiency in Direct Support

The PATHS Direct Support Career Tree

Certificate of Advanced Proficiency in Direct Support

Registration1

2

3

4 Specialization

Direct Support Supervision

Program / Habilitation Manager

Positive Behavior SupportPerson Centered Planning

??

As advocates let’s make sure that

people keep their

promises!

Web sites: nadsp.org

ANDhsri.org

http://rtc.umn.edu/dsp