DSP Training: Module-by-Module Study Guide

The experts who provide direct care and services are the beating heart of the California Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”). To ensure that all DDS personnel provide the best care possible, DDS requires staff to complete the Direct Support Professional (“DSP”) Training program. DSP Training is a two-year program. Each year is comprised of a series of modules that, taken together, give DDS staff the expertise they need to serve DDS participants. For a comprehensive overview of both years, consult the Year One DSP Trainer Resource Guide and the Year Two DSP Trainer Resource Guide. In the meantime, here’s a brief overview of DSP training, module-by-module.

DSP Year 1

The modules included in Year 1 are:

  1. The Direct Support Professional: this module introduces you to the role of Direct Support Professionals and what they do within the DDS system.
  2. The California DDS System: Another introductory module, this section of the course gives you a comprehensive understanding of the entire California DDS system, as well as your role within it.
  3. Risk Management and Incident Reporting: This module teaches you how to identify risks, covers DDS reporting protocols and incident documentation. It also covers key safety procedures designed to keep you and those you serve safe.
  4. Medication Management: This is actually a two-part module that introduces you to the basics of how to work with individuals taking medication. You will cover more advanced topics in Medication Management in Year 2.
  5. Wellness: This module gives you the basics on topics such as hygiene, nutrition, basic preventive health, and skills to promote general wellbeing.
  6. Oral Health: This module teaches you how to encourage, facilitate, and teach DDS participants how to maintain good oral hygiene.
  7. Signs and Symptoms of Illness and Injury: This module gives you skills to quickly and accurately pick up on when a person you are working with may be sick or injured, so you can direct them to the medical care they need.
  8. Risk Management and Environmental Safety: Building on module three, this one focuses more specifically on how to be aware of the physical environments in which you work, and in which your clients receive services.
  9. Communication: This module covers fundamental skills such as verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, and more.
  10. Positive Behavior Support: You will finish this module with an understanding of behavioral strategies including how to detect when something may be wrong and how to de-escalate problematic behavior.

DSP Year 2

The modules included in Year 2 are:

  1. Person-Centered Planning: This module teaches what person-centered care is, why it’s important, and how to incorporate it into your work with clients.
  2. Medication Management: A follow-up to the Year 1 modules, this one functions as an advanced course in medication management. This is very important when you are working with clients who are prescribed medication.
  3. Preventive Healthcare and Advocacy: The key to good health is preventive health. This module gives you skills to teach your clients how to live healthy lives.
  4. Nutrition and Exercise: Closely related to Year module three, this one gives you a deeper understanding of how to promote healthy living through good nutrition and exercise. You will also become familiar with adaptive fitness and exercise.
  5. Strategies for Successful Teaching: This module helps you gain a better understanding of how to teach others. These skills will be important in your work with clients, as you help them develop and improve key life skills.
  6. Risk Management in Daily Living: To enhance your client’s ability to complete activities of daily living, you need to know how to help them navigate daily life in a way that avoids risks and dangers.
    This module will give you that knowledge.
  7. Positive Behavior Support: This module is the advanced course on positive behavior support, building on what you learned in Year 1. Here, you will gain deeper familiarity with how to spot problematic behaviors, how to address them, and to help your clients work through challenging behavioral issues.
  8. Quality of Life & Life Skills: This module covers important topics around community engagement, family belonging, interpersonal relationships, and generally, how to maintain a high qualify of daily life.

Getting Started

In general, most professionals complete DSP Training during the first two years of their time working at a DDS regional center. Speak to your center about registering for the courses as soon as you can.

To get started with your studies, begin with this overview of DSP training, module-by-module, then consult the official DDS training materials.