Creating Registered Apprenticeship Programs for Direct Support Professionals

There is currently a severe shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs) in the United States, due in part to lack of awareness about this profession, lack of training opportunities, and a perception that advancement opportunities are limited. In fact, DSP jobs are the perfect entryway to a variety of careers. Most people in leadership positions in human services and the disability field started their careers as DSPs. Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) can open this door and help meet the demand for direct care workers by recruiting, training, and retaining DSPs in areas of greatest need.

This document provides responses to questions raised by workforce professionals from American Job Centers (AJCs), workforce development boards, employers, and other partners on how to create RAPs for DSPs.