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 assists and supports the participant to develop strategies, make informed choices, follow through on responsibilities, and take risks.

Area 6: Community Living Skills & Supports

The Direct Support Professional has the ability to match specific supports and interventions to the unique needs of individual participants and recognizes the importance of friends, family and community relationships.

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP assists the participant to meet his or her physical (e.g., health, grooming, toileting, eating) and personal management needs (e.g., human development, human sexuality), by teaching skills, providing supports, and building on individual strengths and capabilities.
• The competent DSP assists with identifying, securing and using needed equipment (e.g., adaptive equipment) and therapies (e.g., physical, occupational and communication).

Area 12: Documentation

The Direct Support Professional is aware of the requirements for documentation in his or her organization and is able to manage these requirements efficiently.

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP maintains accurate records, collecting, compiling and evaluating data, and submitting records to appropriate sources in a timely fashion.

Area 14: Provide Person Centered Supports

Skill Statements

• The competent DSP provides support to people using a person centered approach.
• The competent DSP modifies support programs and interventions to ensure they are person centered.

Area 15: Supporting Health and Wellness

Promotes the health and wellness of all consumers.

Skill Statements

• Observes and implements appropriate actions to promote healthy living and to prevent illness and accidents.

Area 3: Evaluation and Observation

The DSW closely monitors an individual’s physical and emotional health, gathers information about the individual, and communicates observations to guide services.

Skill Statements:

The Direct Service Worker:

• Helps with the assessment process by gathering information from many sources.
• Uses the results of assessments to discuss options with the individual and with team members to guide support work.
• Observes the health and behavior of the individual within his or her cultural context.

Area 4: Crisis Prevention and Intervention

The DSW identifies risk and behaviors that that can lead to a crisis, and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with others.

Skill Statements:

The Direct Service Worker:

• Monitors situations and communicates with the individual and his or her family and support team to reduce risk.
• Reports incidents according to rules.

Area 5: Safety

The DSW is attentive to signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation and follows procedures to protect an individual from such harm. S/he helps people to avoid unsafe situations and uses appropriate procedures to assure safety during emergency situations.

Skill Statements:

1. Abuse and Neglect

The Direct Service Worker:

• Demonstrates the ability to identify, prevent, and report situations of abuse, exploitation, and neglect according to laws and agency rules.
• Recognizes signs of abuse and neglect, including the inappropriate use of restraints, and works to prevent them.

Skill Statements:

2. Emergency Preparedness

The Direct Service Worker:

• Maintains the safety of an individual in the case of an emergency.
• Helps individuals to be safe and learn to be safe in the community.

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.

Area 11: Cultural Competency

The DSW respects cultural differences, and provides services and supports that fit with an individual’s preferences.

Skill Statements:

The Direct Service Worker:

• Provides or accesses services that fit with the individuals’ culture or preferences.

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 1B: Use of Assessment and Observation Tools

The qualified DSP demonstrates proficiency in the use of assessments and observation methods to support needs of individuals served.

Benchmark 1B Performance Indicators

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

5. Recognizes and responds to signs of changes in health or behavioral status.
6. Shares critical information regarding informal daily assessments in effective and timely ways.

Competency Standard 3: Crisis Prevention and Intervention

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

Competency Standard 4: Health and Wellness

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

Benchmark 4A: Knowledge of Health and Wellness

The qualified DSP has skills in basic health support. He/she uses proper infection control procedures. The DSP recognizes and responds to signs and symptoms of illness. He/she helps people obtain preventative and responsive medical services as needed. The qualified DSP recognizes health and wellness as holistic. He/she supports activities, choices and lifestyles that lead happiness and satisfaction on the part of the person. The DSP supports overall quality of life despite barriers. The DSP helps people develop and maintain positive relationships, valued social roles, and new opportunities.

Benchmark 4A Performance Indicators

In the area of “health and wellness,” the qualified DSP:

2. Recognizes signs and symptoms of infection or injury and responds appropriately.
4. Recognizes signs of health crisis and obtains correct help in a timely way.
9. Supports positive lifestyle options for good health, illness management and recovery (i.e. sufficient sleep, proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and stress management, etc.).
10. Encourages and assists individuals to be engaged in their own health maintenance in ways adapted to their abilities and understanding.
11. Provides health and wellness information and education to individuals as needed and adapted to needs and preferences.
12. Facilitates problem-solving and planning skills around life planning appropriate to the individual’s abilities.

Benchmark 4E: Documentation and Communication Related to Health and Wellness

The qualified DSP recognizes that for people with IDD/MI behavioral symptoms are often a key component to the diagnosis and treatment of health disorders. The DSP takes time to maintain accurate and complete documentation in accordance with agency/ organizational guidelines. He/she organizes and communicates this information in useful ways. The DSP teaches skills to assist individuals in monitoring their symptoms and maintaining personal records.

Benchmark 4E Performance Indicators

In the area of “documentation and communication,” the qualified DSP:

1. Recognizes critical information to document and share with others.
2. Communicates information regarding health and behavior effectively and in a timely way to appropriate team members.