Area 1: Participant Empowerment

The Direct Support Professional enhances the ability of the participant to lead a self-determining life by providing the support and information necessary to build self-esteem, and assertiveness; and to make decisions.

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP provides information about human, legal, civil rights and other resources, facilitates access to such information and assists the participant to use information for self-advocacy and decision making about living, work, and social relationships.

Area 3: Assessment

The Direct Support Professional should be knowledgeable about formal and informal assessment practices in order to respond to the needs, desires and interests of the participants.

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP initiates or assists in the initiation of an assessment process by gathering information (e.g., participant’s self-assessment and history, prior records, test results, additional evaluation) and informing the participant about what to expect throughout the assessment process.
• The competent DSP discusses findings and recommendations with the participant in a clear and understandable manner, following up on results and reevaluating the findings as necessary.

Area 4: Community and Service Networking

The Direct Support Professional should be knowledgeable about the formal and informal supports available in his or her community and skilled in assisting the participant to identify and gain access to such supports.

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP ensures participant access to needed and available community resources coordinating supports across agencies.

Area 5: Facilitation of Services

The Direct Support Professional is knowledgeable about a range of participatory planning techniques and is skilled in implementing plans in a collaborative and expeditious manner.

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP assists and/or facilitates the development of an individualized plan based on participant preferences, needs, and interests.
• The competent DSP assists and/or facilitates the implementation of an individualized plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from participants’ preferences, needs and interests.

Area 14: Provide Person Centered Supports

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP assists individuals in developing person centered plans.

Area 2: Person-Centered Practices

The DSW uses person-centered practices, assisting individuals to make choices and plan goals, and provides services to help individuals achieve their goals.

Skill Statements:

The Direct Service Worker:

• Provides supports and services that help the individual achieve his or her goals.
• Works in partnership with the individual to track progress toward goals and adjust services as needed and desired by individual.

Area 7: Empowerment & Advocacy

The DSW provides advocacy, and empowers and assists individuals to advocate for what they need.

Skill Statements:

The Direct Service Worker:

• Helps the individual set goals, make informed choices, and follow-through on responsibilities.
• Assists the individual get past barriers to get needed services.

Competency Standard 1: Assessment and Observation

The qualified direct support professional (DSP) is competent in the area of “assessment and observation” as it relates to individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness (IDD/MI).

Benchmark 1A: Knowledge of Assessment and Observation Process

The qualified DSP is knowledgeable regarding specifics methods of assessment. The DSP is aware of potential cultural bias in formal assessment and works with others to ensure accuracy. The DSP uses results of assessments in planning, implementing, and evaluating services and outcomes. The qualified DSP demonstrates knowledge of the specific assessments and observations of individuals served, including assessments from other professionals.

Benchmark 1A Performance Indicators

In the area of “knowledge of assessment and observation,” the qualified DSP:

2. Identifies and describes common assessment methods and observational techniques.

Competency Standard 5: Community Collaboration and Teamwork

The qualified direct support professional (DSP) is competent in the area of “community collaboration and teamwork” as it relates to individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness (IDD/MI).

Benchmark 5A: Knowledge of Service Systems

One objective of collaboration across systems is to improve the effectiveness of service delivery to individuals. The DSP supports effectiveness by working to harness the combined benefits of available support to meet the specific needs of individuals. The DSP has a basic awareness of options benefits available to people in their communities. This includes housing, transportation, employement support, case management, and education. It also includes other types of systems such as criminal justice diversion programs or community mental health clinic. The DSP is able to recognize when cultural issues may be barriers and reaches out to necessary communities in order to identify proper support for individuals. The DSP is able to effectively research additional options when needed.

Benchmark 5A Performance Indicators

In the area of “service systems,” the qualified DSP:

3. Supports individuals in accessing state and provincial services.
4. Supports individuals in understanding conflicts between systems and sorting through information in order to decide how to approach these issues.

Benchmark 5D: Promoting Person-Centered Support, Informed Consent and Advocacy

Person-Centered care places the individual at center of his or her support plan. The qualified DSP recognizes that by their nature services are not person-centered. He/she also recognizes that people with IDD/MI are at high risk for having their rights overlooked or denied. The DSP takes an active role in supporting individuals in participating in decisions about their own treatment. The DSP focuses on flexibility and choice. He/she recognizes that efforts must be made to ensure people with IDD/MI understand and are consenting appropriately. He/she helps individual reach out to their systems of natural support in decision-making. He/she helps individuals develop self-awareness about their treatment needs and preferences. The DSP promotes inclusion and independence in communities of the person’s choice. He/she supports self-advocacy and participates in advocacy when needed.

Benchmark 5D Performance Indicators

In the area of “person-centered support,” the qualified DSP:

6. Assists individuals with understanding and evaluating treatment options and preferences so that it can be ensured they are making informed consent to services.
9. Works across systems to build advances towards a more person-centered approach to service delivery.

Competency 3: Participant support plan development, monitoring and assessment

Frontline Supervisors operationalize participant’s individual goals and identified outcomes into a coordinated support plan. Frontline Supervisors coordinate and facilitate support network meetings, maintain communication with other service providers, family, and allies, and monitor, document, and report progress toward goals.

Competency 4: Facilitating community inclusion across the lifespan

Frontline Supervisors facilitate and support the development and maintenance of participant support networks in partnership with person supported. Frontline Supervisors support participant to explore educational, employment, volunteer, and retirement opportunities, and/or collaborate with other staff and providers to coordinate supports that will assist participant in reaching goals and actively participating in activities of his or her choice across the lifespan.

Competency 11: Cultural awareness and responsiveness

Frontline Supervisors respect all unique characteristics of participant by providing culturally appropriate supports and services.