Resources & Tools Now Available for DSP Engagement & Attraction
The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation (New York Alliance), in partnership with the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University and University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration spent time with providers across New York State to identify and create resources and tools through the Workforce Recruitment/Retention Technical Assistance project. We are pleased to share those resources and encourage all organizations to utilize them in your Direct Support Professional engagement and attraction initiatives.
An Overview of the Workforce Resources Hub (3:46)
Monica Robinson, NY Alliance's Associate Vice President of Workforce Advancement provides a brief overview and further information about the use of the resources available below.
Realistic Job Preview
Where Passion Meets Purpose: A Realistic Job Preview of Direct Support (20:39)
A realistic job preview of the profession of direct support in New York.
How to Use the RJP: Where Passion Meets Purpose: A Realistic Job Preview User’s Guide
Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Become a Direct Support Professional
Don’t stop working. Work with someone new.
Looking for a way to make a difference?
Use your creativity to make a difference
You’ve got a diploma. Now what?
A profession with purpose
March toward inclusion
View the full playlist of PSAs here.
DSP Handbook
The DSP Handbook was designed to help attract and educate new direct support professionals, engage incumbent workers, and support HR professionals in recruiting new workers.
Key features include:
What is a DSP? Illustrating the essential skills and knowledge needed to be an effective direct support professional.
Visual Timeline A timeline that provides a historical perspective on services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
DEIB Toolkit This toolkit helps educate leaders on DEIB topics, energize their efforts with strategies and ideas, and empower anyone committed to this work with skills and tools.
Advancing Direct Support Explore resources for training, professional development, marketing campaigns, and podcasts that advance the profession of direct support.
DSP Talk Podcast
The podcast that’s exploring the complex world of disability support. Now in its 2nd season, DSP Talk episodes highlight the journey towards community inclusion, the significance of a competent workforce, and the vital role direct support professionals play in the lives of those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation (RCWT)
The Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation (RCWT) website is dedicated to enhancing the quality of support for individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State through comprehensive workforce development initiatives. It serves as a central hub for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), frontline supervisors, and human services providers, offering resources, training, and tools aligned with state and national standards.
In addition to registration for live upcoming events that are held regularly, the tools and resources available on the website emphasize the importance of adhering to ethical standards and core competencies, and guidance to ensure high-quality support for individuals with disabilities. Informational webinars and resources cover topics such as Medicaid service coordination, respectful language use, workforce transformation strategies, and so much more.
Overall, the RCWT website serves as a comprehensive resource for professionals in the field, aiming to inspire change and empower others in the realm of workforce development.
