Advancing Direct Support Professional (DSP) Careers: Start Here, Go Anywhere!

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide critical support to individuals with disabilities, helping them build skills for independent living, community participation, and employment. This webinar introduces a new DSP Career Exploration infographic that may entice new individuals to the DSP field and encourage retention of current DSPs by describing the role of DSPs and illustrating possible career pathways for DSPs to advance.

Panelists from Georgia and New Jersey discuss strategies to recruit and retain DSPs, strengthen career pathways within the profession, and highlight opportunities for advancement into related fields.

View this webinar to:

• Understand the role of DSPs and how DSP work experience can lead to careers in workforce development, health care, education, social services, and other fields.

• Learn how to apply the new DSP Career Exploration infographic as a practical tool to guide job seekers interested in this profession.

• Hear lessons from the field on launching, sustaining, and scaling successful initiatives aimed at increasing DSP labor force.

• Learn how Registered Apprenticeship Programs are being used to expand and strengthen the DSP workforce.

This webinar is designed for workforce development professionals, American Job Center staff, vocational rehabilitation counselors, education and training providers, state and local policymakers, apprenticeship sponsors, and service providers interested in strengthening DSP recruitment, retention, and career pathways. It will also benefit employer partners and community organizations working to expand opportunities for job seekers and build a sustainable DSP workforce.

Featured speakers:

• Sarah Loizeaux (Moderator), LEAD Center, National Disability Institute (NDI)
• Julie Hocker, Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor
• Leah Cadena-Igdalsky, LEAD Center SME, Social Policy Research Associates   
• Kris Palmer, LEAD Center SME, Social Policy Research Associates
• Dr. Carol Britton Laws, Institute on Human Development and Disabilities, University of Georgia
• Jack Teters, New Jersey Department of Human Services