SUNY Orange Announces Micro-Credentialing Courses for Direct Support Professionals

MIDDLETOWN – This summer, SUNY Orange is offering the first classes in its new Direct Support Professionals 1 microcredit program, a two-course program for those already working in direct support.

The DSP I program is the first in a series of DSP microcredentials that the College will offer to support the professional development of the DSP workforce. The microcredential programs, upon completion, will provide students with transferable college credits toward pursuing a degree program at SUNY Orange or elsewhere if they choose. Upon completion of the DSP I microcredential courses, students will advance to the DSP I level of the NADSP certification process.

Micro-credentials will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of human behavior; treatment; psychological disorders; the helping process; person-centered practices; crisis intervention; therapeutic relationships; safety; respectful verbal, nonverbal, and written communication; cultural competence; empowerment and advocacy; and ethical decision-making.

The College’s development of DSP micro-credentials was bolstered by a nearly $1.21 million grant from the State University of New York (SUNY), in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).

Funding for this initiative, totaling $1,209,949, will cover tuition, books, learning materials, NADSP accreditation for students and academic support. In addition, the program will provide a $750 bonus to eligible students who successfully complete each level of the micro-credential and earn an NADSP certification.

For more information, contact Nolly Climes, SUNY Orange Social Services Coordinator, at [email protected] or (845) 341-4139, or visit www.sunyorange.edu/microcredentials.