DSP Required Classroom Training

During the classroom training DSPs must:

Agencies may allocate additional hours that best fit their specific training needs. Hours for each module are as follows:

Module 1: Introduction to Developmental Disabilities (4 Hours)

• Agency's values related to service provision
• Psychosocial needs of individuals receiving supports, their family and others
• Basics of human growth and development
• Basic characteristics of developmental disabilities
• Some major causes of mental retardation
• Difference between mental retardation and mental illness
• Potential prevention methods of mental retardation
• Levels of functioning and context
• Importance of emphasizing abilities not disabilities
• Methods of communication
• DSP role on the community support team(CST)/interdisciplinary team (IDT)
• Service Plans
• DSP role in the life of a person receiving supports and services

Module 2: Human Rights (4 Hours)

• Historical context of the rights issues
• Basic civil, legal, human and property rights and rights to protection
• What a Human Rights Committee (HRC) is and does
• Role of HRC within an agency
• HRC's role in preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Behavior Plan flow, including relationship to the Behavior Management Committee
• Challenge between balancing high quality supports, keeping people safe, teaching people to access their community, and ensuring protection of individual rights
• Principles of advocacy
• Confidentiality Act, DMHDD Code, DHS regulations, DPH regulations and relevant state laws
• DSP role in supporting primary decisions
• Role of guardians and nature of guardianship
• Agency policies

Module 3: Prevention/Recognition/Intervention of Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation (4 Hours)

• Role a trust producing, healthy, engaging environment plays in preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Forms of abuse
• Forms of neglect
• Forms of exploitation
• Rule 50's relationship to abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Information and strategies to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Role of a supporting work environment in preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Procedures related to preventing, identifying and reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation

Module 4: Human Interaction and Communication (4 Hours)

• Definition of communication
• Different modes of nonverbal and verbal communication/interpersonal relationships with individuals receiving supports, family members and others
• Different types of speech deficiencies
• Different types of assistive technology
• Principles of active listening
• Individuals' preferred modes of communication
• Communication program implementation techniques
• Methods of communication assessment and documentation
• Importance of establishing rapport
• Types of relationships
• Principles of control vs. support
• How information is transferred among staff members
• Importance of consistency and continuity

Module 5: Service Plan Development and Implementation (4 Hours)

The DSP demonstrates knowledge of:

• Philosophy of independent living
• Process of person-centered planning and implementation with regards to DSP role
• Components of service plan implementation and documentation and DSP role
• Strengths, abilities, desires, concerns, needs, likes, dislikes of individuals
• Principles of the IDT/community support team approach
• Ethical standards of practice for DSPs
• Support service limitations
• Individuals' goals and desired outcomes
• Implementation strategies-graduated assistance, etc.
• Individuals' family/guardians' involvement
• Concepts of community habilitation/active treatment
• Specific services and equipment needed by the individual
• Availability, access and contacts within community resources
• Principles of adult learning
• Principles of teamwork and team building related to basic support planning and procedures
• Resources available for vocational opportunities
• History and use of facility/agency records
• Principles of record keeping
• Documentation system (written and verbal) of the service plan assessment, evaluation and skills-based training
• DSP role with regards to record keeping and documentation
• Confidentiality Act components
• Release of information guidelines

Module 6: Basic Health and Safety (15 Hours)

• Injury prevention procedures
• Red flags of general medical conditions
• Vital sign procedures
• Who to notify about emergency health and safety concerns/observations
• Basic health observations skills
• Basic medical symptoms
• Universal precautions
• Seizure protocols
• Principles of documentation related to health issues
• Principles of infection control
• Principles of good body mechanics
• Basic environmental safety principles
• Food safety and sanitation regulations
• Nutritional information and diets
• Fire suppression and evacuation procedures
• Disaster procedures
• DSP role in ensuring the individual's and his/her safety
• Role of bodily functions
• Dimension of human sexuality
• Activities of daily living (ADL)
• Importance of personal care and hygiene

CPR/First Aid (6 Hours)

Approved First Aid and CPR Course (American Red Cross or American Heart Association only) or hold current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) through an examination approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health and/or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

• CPR procedures
• First aid procedures
• Heimlich maneuver
• Vital sign assessment
• The steps to take when an individual appears to be unconscious
• The signs of heart attack and the steps to take
• The do's and don'ts of burn care
• The signals of head and spine injuries
• When to call for emergency medical assistance
• The signs of heat and cold related illness

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