Frontline Initiative Employment Supports

NADSP has been offering a national, voluntary credentialing program since 2007. NADSP’s leadership in recognizing high quality, competent direct support professionals positioned us to take a leadership role in designing the national guidelines for the U.S. Department of Labor’s new Registered Apprenticeship Program for DSPs. This historic new Apprenticeship Program, announced in October 2010, offers formal government recognition of the direct support career.

NADSP, in collaboration with the American Network on Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), designed the Apprenticeship guidelines based on the NADSP Credentialing Program. It requires training hours and on the job training in eight of the 15 NADSP Competency Areas. To reach the highest level of the Apprenticeship, the DSP completes training and meets the same requirements as the NADSP DSP–Certified credential. 

Stay tuned for more details!