Direct Support Professional Training (DDS)
PLEASE NOTE
DDS and the California Department of Education (CDE) are making key changes to the DSPT project that will take effect September 2015. No DSPT will be conducted in August 2015
Read more info about this change to Direct Support Professional Training (DSPT)
Click here for more info about Service Hub Regional Center Catchment Areas and Contact Information
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Offered by the state of California Department of Development of Development Services the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Training is a competency-based training program that is mandatory for all direct support staff (and administrators who provide direct support) working in licensed community care facilities. The training is based upon core competencies or skills necessary for satisfactory job performance.
All DSPs and administrators must complete Year 1 and 2 of the Direct Support Professional Training Program. The program is funded by the Department of Developmental Services at no registration cost to the participant.
The DSP Training is divided into two equal segments of 35 hours each to be completed in successive years for a total of 70 hours. Direct Support Professionals who are mandated to meet the training requirement, may opt to meet it by passing a challenge test for each 35-hour training program. Those who pass the challenge test for either segment will not be required to take that specific training segment. Starting September 1, 2007, those taking either the Year 1 or Year 2 challenge test will also be required to demonstrate knowledge of how to properly assist individuals with the self-administration of medication in order to become certified.
Below are links to resources that may assist you in meeting the requirements of the DSP program and the needs of the clients you serve.
View the DSP Student Resource Guide Year 1
View the DSP Student Resource Guide Year 2
Learn more about Direct Support Professional Training
Quick Links
DDS Safety Net
2018 Disparity Data on Purchased Services Report Now Online
California law and regulation requires that regional centers display on their Web sites information about the dollar value of services they purchase for clients. These data (called "purchase of service" or "POS" data) must be reported separately by clients' ethnic/racial group, langauge and diagnosis.
New DDS Fact Book Available
As part of the Department of Developmental Services' (DDS) commitment to provide information to the general public, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and professionals in the field, DDS produces the Fact Book on an annual basis. The Fact Book presents pertinent data over a 10-year period about the individuals served by DDS, including an overview of the service delivery system and trends in California. The Fact Book contains valuable information that is helpful in better understanding California’s developmental services system and the people served.
DDS’ Regional Center Oversight Dashboard
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) monitors the actions and efforts of regional centers to ensure they meet statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations, and uphold the values of the Lanterman Act, the legislation guiding the developmental services system in California.
For more information on DDS' monitoring activities, visit the Regional Center Oversight Dashboard on the DDS Web site and click on the oversight functions. Oversight functions include:
- Overview
- Performance Contracts
- Purchase of Service Report
- National Core Indicators
- Employment
- Fair Hearings
- Complaints
- Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Compliance
50th Anniversary Edition of the History of the Regional Centers in California
Strengthening the Commitment... Reinvesting in the System: A Journey of Community Partnership
The history chronicles more than five decades of the regional centers' journey - of learning from experience, gaining new knowledge, taking steps forward, and constantly facing new challenges. Print copies are available at the Koch-Young Resource Center but you can also download a PDF from the link below.