






The Skill-Up for Success program equips Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) with the skills and knowledge to deliver person-centered, empowering support that enhances the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Key Courses and Real-Life Applications:
All courses are not included in this list
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Supporting Choice, Rights, and Dignity
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Learn to advocate for people's choices and rights.
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Application: Build trust and foster independence.
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Basic Principles and Concepts of IDD
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Understand IDD history, causes, and inclusive practices.
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Application: Provide individualized, holistic support.
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Basics of Technology
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Develop skills with assistive and communication tools.
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Application: Enhance independence and streamline tasks.
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Person-Centered Practices
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Master strategies for creating individualized support plans.
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Application: Empower people to achieve personal goals.
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Program Impact:
DSPs will gain practical tools to:
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Respect and support personal choices.
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Foster independence, dignity, and inclusion.
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Create meaningful, person-centered plans.
This program strengthens DSPs’ ability to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities through advocacy, empowerment, and tailored support.
Day 1 Training Overview: Introduction to the Course, Principles of IDD, and Technology Basics.
Key Themes for the Day:
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Introduction and Connection: Building community and understanding the training structure.
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Self-Reflection: Exploring personal growth, choice, and independence.
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Role of a DSP: Differentiating support vs. caregiving and key skills for empowerment.
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Respect, Rights, and Dignity: Fostering respectful, empowering interactions.
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Meaningful Engagement: Supporting relationships, goal achievement, and a fulfilling life.
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Technology for Collaboration: Learning Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, and SharePoint for effective communication and organization.
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AI in the Workplace: Appropriate use of AI for efficiency and documentation.
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Practical Application: Introducing case studies to apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
Welcome and Introduction
Focus: Building rapport and setting the tone for the 3-day training.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Overview of the 3-day training schedule.
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Syllabus and outline review.
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"Get to Know One Another" activity to establish connections among participants.
Session 1: Initial Engagement and Reflection
Focus: Self-awareness and understanding personal connections to the DSP role.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Reflection on four thoughtful questions:
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What have you discovered about yourself that is life-changing or unexpected?
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What has working as a DSP taught you about yourself?
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Who do you rely on for help or support, other than your family?
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How do you exercise choice in your daily life?
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Session 2: Principles and Concepts of IDD
Focus: Understanding the role of support versus caregiving in the context of IDD.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 1 hour
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Key Topics:
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Support vs. Caregiving: Viewing a video to highlight the differences (e.g., educator roles).
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Small Group Discussion: Exploring caregiving versus supporting roles based on the environment and individual needs.
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Slides & Photos: Reinforcing caregiving and support concepts, including strategies to shift from caregiving to support.
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Session 3: Supporting Choice, Rights, and Dignity
Focus: Promoting empowerment, choice, and respect in interactions with individuals.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 45 minutes
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Key Topics:
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"Doing with" vs. "Doing for": Empowering people to make their own choices.
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Promoting Rights and Dignity.
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Activity: Examples of respectful support, including:
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Walking alongside, not in front.
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Avoiding speaking over someone or for someone unnecessarily.
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Session 4: A Full and Meaningful Life
Focus: Building relationships and supporting people to achieve meaningful goals.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 45 minutes
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Key Themes:
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Four guideposts for a meaningful life:
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Getting to know the person and building relationships.
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Collaborative calendar building.
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Supporting goal achievement.
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Activities to explore these themes in practical scenarios.
Lunch Break
Duration: 45 minutes
Session 5: Technology Essentials
Module 1: Microsoft Teams and Outlook Basics
Focus: Fundamentals of Microsoft 365 and its tools.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Introduction to Microsoft 365 and roles of Teams and Outlook.
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Email, calendar, contacts, and tasks overview.
Module 2: Communication & Collaboration in Microsoft Teams
Focus: Using Microsoft Teams for effective workplace communication.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 45 minutes
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Using Teams for chat, file sharing, and scheduling meetings.
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Integrated calendar functionality for team collaboration.
Module 3: Mastering Outlook Email
Focus: Efficient email management and professional communication.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Inbox organization with folders, rules, and flags.
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Writing clear and professional emails (email etiquette).
Module 4: Excel Basics
Focus: Understanding the basics of Excel for data management.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Overview of the Excel interface.
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Understanding cells, columns, rows, and spreadsheet navigation.
Module 5: Artificial Intelligence 101
Focus: Leveraging AI appropriately in the workplace.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Introduction to AI in professional settings.
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Guidelines for appropriate use, particularly in documentation.
Module 6: SharePoint Essentials
Focus: Using SharePoint for document management and collaboration.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Overview of SharePoint’s role in the Microsoft ecosystem.
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Navigating sites and working with document libraries for file sharing.
Session 6: Case Study Introduction
Focus: Applying Day 1 concepts to real-world scenarios.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes
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Walkthrough of a case study as a group.
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Assignment: Homework #1 to reinforce Day 1 topics.
Closing
Focus: Recap and preparation for Day 2.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 15 minutes
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Summary of the day’s key takeaways.
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Preview of Day 2 topics.
Links and Resources
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Topic Overviews
For Supervisors
General Information