College of Direct Support - UMKC Institute for Human Development

College of Direct Support
IHD Priority Area: Interdisciplinary Personnel Preparation
Description: The Missouri College of Direct Support (MoCDS) is a partnership of agencies that have joined together to
create a training and certification program for direct support workers in Missouri. Currently 32 provider agencies statewide
have agreed to participate in piloting the College of Direct Support internet-based training curriculum for people in direct
support roles (DSP’s). During the pilot phase, the partners will work to create a Direct Support Professional credentialing
system that would link the MoCDS competency-based training with improved compensation packages for DSP’s and address
recruitment and retention needs.
Project Contact: Robert Doljanac Project Period: 11/05-10/08
Annual Funding: $170,000
Funding Source: Missouri Real Choices Systems Change Grant; Missouri Division of MRDD; County
Boards (15); Service Providers (32); UMKC Institute for Human Development; Missouri Planning Council for
DD; Missouri AAIDD
Core Functions
Applied Research: The Institute for Human Development
is conducting an evaluation on the pilot phase of the Mo
College of Direct Support training program. The purpose is
to provide insight to funding partners on the effectiveness,
feasibility, and impact of the internet-based curriculum.
Community Services and Supports: The Institute is
taking the lead in recruiting agency participation, facilitating
dialogues among agencies regarding the impact of DSP
credentialing on career development and improvement in
services.
75%
Core Functions
10% Applied Research
(10%)
5%
10%
Community Services
& Supports (5%)
Information
Dissemination (10%)
Interdisciplinary
Personnel
Preparation (75%)
Information Dissemination: The MoCDS curriculum is a validated, competency-based curriculum.
Additionally, Missouri has added annotations detailing specific Missouri regulations essential to DSP’s working in
Missouri.
Interdisciplinary Personnel Preparation: The Institute is facilitating the development of the credentialing
system and supporting learner participation in the online curriculum.
Program Need and Historical Context
The supply of DSPs to provide supports and services for people with developmental disabilities is below acceptable
levels due to (a) competition for workers across other industries, (b) the low reimbursement for direct service
providers and correspondingly (c) high rates of turnover. Thus, Missouri stakeholders identified a significant need
for additional training regarding serving people with more complex medical and behavior support needs.
Consumer and Community Involvement
Missouri agencies providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities are involved in all aspects of this
pilot project: advisory, recruitment, implementation, supporting DSP participation, and mentoring.

Significant Project Activities and Outcomes
• Improvement in the knowledge, skills, and competencies of DSPs
• Improvement in the retention rate of DSPs
• Long-term career development for DSPs, including a career ladder
• Development of a statewide credentialing and certification process
• Establishment of a plan for long-term sustainability
• Ultimately, an improvement in the quality of life experienced by people
with developmental disabilities
Institute’s Role
• Evaluation of pilot outcomes
• Leadership in development of a DSP credentialing system and CEU’s
• Development of companion UMKC courses for college credit and CEU’s
• Coordination of recruitment and mentoring
• Support DSP participation
Products
• DSP certificate of completion
• DSP credential
• DSP college courses
• Missouri annotations to the MoCDS curriculum
Impact
System: A statewide recognized
DSP credential will support DSP
career development.
Personnel: Direct Support
Professional increase knowledge
and skills essential for providing
quality care for individuals with
disabilities.
Leveraging: A collaborative
comprised of the Institute, Missouri
agencies, and state departments,
have supplemented the federal CMS
grant with contributions of
funding, both direct and indirect,
to this pilot project.