Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) assist people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in realizing their full potential and becoming valued and participating members of their communities. Their work is complex and goes well beyond caregiving, requiring skills including independent problem solving, decision making, behavioral assessment and prevention, medication administration, health and allied health treatment, teaching new skills, crisis prevention and intervention and more.

Daily tasks include:

• Assisting clients with daily tasks, including cooking, shopping, attending appointments, housekeeping, and medication management
• Instructing and motivating individuals to perform specific tasks independently
• Providing guidance on essential life skills, including interpersonal interactions, seeking assistance, financial management, and more
• Maintaining records of a client’s personal information, encompassing casework notes, daily activities, medication logs, financial documents, and behavioral assessments.

To learn more about the DSP field, visit dspnj.org. 

High School: High school students may pursue an internship and training that allows first-hand experience working with individuals with IDD. Students will work alongside experienced Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in providing services and support. A stipend will be provided, and students can check with their guidance counselors to determine if work will translate into high school credits. Students must be 18 years old to participate.

Workforce Development Certification: The program is also for those seeking a change in career, as well as DSPs that wish to increase their skills. Interested applicants who live in Bergen County or the surrounding areas can apply to Bergen Community College. Interested applicants who live in Gloucester and Cumberland counties can apply to Rowan College of South Jersey. Coursework will allow for the development of skills and knowledge of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) field.

Eligible DSPs can go to Community College tuition-free with the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)

Based on household income, eligible New Jerseyans ages 18 and up, including NJ Dreamers, can pursue their first associate’s degree tuition-free or for an affordable, reduced tuition at their local community college. Upon graduating from community college, eligible students can transfer to a New Jersey public four-year college or university and receive additional funding for tuition through the Garden State Guarantee.

To be eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant, students must:

• Be a New Jersey resident with a household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $0 and $100,000

• Complete the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application by applicable state deadlines

• Enroll in at least six (6) credits per semester at one of New Jersey’s community colleges

• Have not yet earned a college degree

• Make satisfactory academic progress

• Jobs That Care New Jersey an initiative from the Department of Human Services dedicated to leading more direct support professionals into the workforce. Visit their page if you are interested in pursuing a rewarding career. The webpage also provides numerous essential resources such as information regarding child care and food assistance services.
• NADSP: Their sole mission is to elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their knowledge, skills, and values. Visit their website for advancement resources:
  • Virtual Training Options: ensure that DSPs and other support providers continue to receive critical training and professional development throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 3-hour virtual training events can be purchased by an organization so that its employees gain the insight and expertise that only the NADSP can provide. 
  • NADSP Certification: NADSP has developed a national certification program for Direct Support Professionals working in community human services. The purpose of this certification program is to provide national recognition for the contributions and competence of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who apply for and meet the certification standards.
  • DSP Competency Areas: The fifteen NADSP Competency Areas offer DSPs the opportunity to address challenges, work on issues identified by the person they support, or assist a person in pursuing a particular goal. Each Competency Area has corresponding skill statements that describe the knowledge and skills DSPs must have to demonstrate competency in each area.
  • NADSP Advocacy Resources: NADSP produces resources, works with legislators, and partners with national organizations to amplify the voices of DSPs and drive systemic change at all levels.

Looking to advance your career as a DSP? 18 of New Jersey’s community colleges offer a wide array of programs in health care, social work, business, and other disciplines that can help you. As a DSP, you may be eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG). For more information about CCOG, please visit www.hesaa.org or contact your nearest community college closest to you to get started!