The Direct Support Professional Training Program certifies individuals that are currently employed working with individuals with a developmental disability living in licensed community care facilities.
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has over 4,400 licensed community care facilities that serve people with developmental disabilities living in licensed facilities. DDS implemented a two-year, 70-hour standardized statewide competency-based training program. Training is mandatory for employees and administrators who provide direct care in a community care facility.
ROCPs provide the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Training at no cost to enrollees. The 70 hours of training are divided into two equal parts of 35 hours each to be completed in successive years. In lieu of the training, a challenge test may be taken for each of the 35 hour segments. Those who pass the challenge test for either of the 35 hour training segments will not be required to take that classroom segment. Training and testing are based upon core competencies or skills necessary for satisfactory Direct Support Professionals' job performance.
- ROCP DSP Coordinators
Contact the ROC/P DSP Coordinator for specifics about the local training program. - Direct Support Professional Training Program Summary
Provides information about the DSP program, funding, and students served.
Department of Developmental Services (DSP) Training Resources
- Department of Developmental Services (Outside Source)
- DSP Program Description (Outside Source)
- DSP Training Program Implementation (Outside Source)
- ROCP Directory (Outside Source)
- Legislation (Outside Source)
- Community Care Facility Frequently Asked Questions (Outside Source)
- Disability Information and Resource Links (Outside Source)
- Year 1 and Year 2 DSP Training Resource Guide (Outside Source)
- Direct Support Staff Turnover Study (Outside Source)
- What's New (Outside Source)
Contact information
Dennis J. Guido, Ph.D.
Education Administrator I
Clay Mitchell
Education Programs Consultant
Career and Workforce Innovations Unit
Secondary, Career, and Adult Learning Division
California Department of California
1430 N Street, Suite 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814
