Press Release - Tuesday, September 23, 2008
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Division of Developmental Disabilities is Now Accepting On-Line Training for Direct Support Persons (DSPs)
MEMORANDUM
TO: Direct Support Persons (DSP) Training Program Providers
Providers of Developmental Disabilities Services
FROM: Lilia Teninty, Director
Division of Developmental Disabilities
DATE: September 15, 2008
RE: Acceptance of On-Line DSP Classroom Training
Approval of the College of Direct Support On-Line DSP Training Program
Currently, for the classroom portion, agencies that provide DSP training either use an instructor-led curriculum developed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities or one developed independently which has been approved by the Division.
I'm pleased to announce two new options for agencies seeking initial approval for their DSP training program or desirous of incorporating on-line training programs or modules into their current, approved DSP training program.
1) Acceptance of On-line DSP Training Programs or Modules
Effective October 1, 2008, the Division will accept for review and potential approval on-line training programs or modules that meet the required DSP training competencies. The on-line option may be used in lieu of or as supplements to Division-approved instructor-led DSP classroom training programs or modules The option to use on-line training programs or modules applies to all requests whether requesting first-time approval of a DSP training program, seeking to change an approved DSP training program to include on-line curriculum before the 2-year approval period expires, or modifying the training to include on-line curriculum at the 2-year review.
In summary, requests by agencies to use on-line training programs or parts of such programs for selected training competencies must still be reviewed and approved by the Division of Developmental Disabilities as is required for instructor-led programs. It is the expectation of the Division that on-line programs, even if used for the entire classroom training program, would still require some level of interaction with agency training personnel to prepare trainees for the on-line program and to gauge their level of competency at the completion of certain modules or at the end of the program even if the on-line program includes competence-based testing.
On-line training is accepted only for the classroom training component of a DSP training program. DSPs must still complete a minimum of 80 hours of Division-approved on-the-job training.
The Division will not reimburse providers or pay for any development or maintenance costs for on-line programs submitted for approval. Providers funded by the Division that have approved on-line programs will continue to receive reimbursement for staff training as allowed by the Division's Bureau of Community Reimbursement. Reimbursement rates for on-line training will be the same as those applied currently to DSP classroom room training.
Approval Process for On-line Training Programs or Modules
Whether requesting first-time approval of a DSP training program, seeking to change an approved DSP training program to include on-line curriculum before the 2-year approval period expires or modify the training program to include on-line curriculum at the scheduled 2-year review when notified by the Division that their renewal is due, agencies should submit the request and supporting documentation to:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Bureau of Quality Management
Attention: DSP Training Program Review
319 E. Madison, Suite 4J
Springfield, IL 62701
Agencies currently in the midst of their review cycle may request the Division to send Two-Year DSP Training Review packet to complete and re-submit. If approved, the Division will adjust the agency's 2-year review cycle
Agencies seeking to incorporate on-line training in their DSP training program must ensure the submitted on-line curriculum is fully described, informational and interventional competencies covered by the on-line curriculum are identified clearly as are the hours of training provided through the on-line program. The DSP training program must include temporary electronic access, through a web site , CD or other access mode to the on-line training program so the Division can understand the on-line program fully and ensure it works as it is intended. The submitted training program should include relevant screen prints and other information that describes how the on-line program and any instructor-led modules replaced by it interact, how the online program supports the related OJT components how the on-line curriculum is supported on-site by instructors and how the student's competency level for modules or program is assessed by the agency (see Division's Training Requirements Manual available on line at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Manuals/DD%20Manuals/Training%20Requirements%20Manual.pdf.
2) Approval of College of Direct Support Training Modules
Over the past year or so, the Division has partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago and a work group of representatives of community agencies across the state to evaluate the College of Direct Supports DSP training curriculum in relation to the instructor-led training and competencies required by the Division's current DSP classroom training program.
Effective October 1, 2008, the Division is approving the use of the College of Direct Support's on-line DSP curriculum as one acceptable substitute for some or all of the instructor-led training of competencies during the 40 hour classroom component of DSP training. The attached matrix, "Using the College of Direct Support's On-line Training to meet Illinois DSP Training Requirements" identifies, the College of Direct Support's lessons that meet the sub components of each of the six major competency areas addressed by DSP classroom training: Introduction to Developmental Disabilities; Human Rights; Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Recognition and Intervention; Human Interaction and Communication; Service Plan Development and Implementation and Basic Health and Safety. This matrix serves as the guideline for agencies that seek to use all or parts of the College of Direct Support's On-line DSP curriculum in developing new DSP training programs or modifying currently approved training programs.
If you have questions, please contact John Knight, Manager, Quality Enhancement Section at 217-782-8286 or John.Knight@illinois.gov.
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