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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

  1. Supporting Choice, Rights, and Dignity

    • Learn to advocate for people's choices and rights.

    • Application: Build trust and foster independence.

  2. Basic Principles and Concepts of IDD

    • Understand IDD history, causes, and inclusive practices.

    • Application: Provide individualized, holistic support.

  3. Basics of Technology

    • Develop skills with assistive and communication tools.

    • Application: Enhance independence and streamline tasks.

  4. Person-Centered Practices

    • Master strategies for creating individualized support plans.

    • Application: Empower people to achieve personal goals.

Program Impact:

DSPs will gain practical tools to:

  • Respect and support personal choices.

  • Foster independence, dignity, and inclusion.

  • 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:

  • Introduction and Connection: Building community and understanding the training structure.

  • Self-Reflection: Exploring personal growth, choice, and independence.

  • Role of a DSP: Differentiating support vs. caregiving and key skills for empowerment.

  • Respect, Rights, and Dignity: Fostering respectful, empowering interactions.

  • Meaningful Engagement: Supporting relationships, goal achievement, and a fulfilling life.

  • Technology for Collaboration: Learning Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, and SharePoint for effective communication and organization.

  • AI in the Workplace: Appropriate use of AI for efficiency and documentation.

  • 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

  • Overview of the 3-day training schedule.

  • Syllabus and outline review.

  • "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

  • Reflection on four thoughtful questions:

    1. What have you discovered about yourself that is life-changing or unexpected?

    2. What has working as a DSP taught you about yourself?

    3. Who do you rely on for help or support, other than your family?

    4. How do you exercise choice in your daily life?

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

  • Key Topics:

    • Support vs. Caregiving: Viewing a video to highlight the differences (e.g., educator roles).

    • Small Group Discussion: Exploring caregiving versus supporting roles based on the environment and individual needs.

    • Slides & Photos: Reinforcing caregiving and support concepts, including strategies to shift from caregiving to support.

Session 3: Supporting Choice, Rights, and Dignity

Focus: Promoting empowerment, choice, and respect in interactions with individuals.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 45 minutes

  • Key Topics:

    • "Doing with" vs. "Doing for": Empowering people to make their own choices.

    • Promoting Rights and Dignity.

  • Activity: Examples of respectful support, including:

    • Walking alongside, not in front.

    • Avoiding speaking over someone or for someone unnecessarily.

Session 4: A Full and Meaningful Life

Focus: Building relationships and supporting people to achieve meaningful goals.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 45 minutes

  • Key Themes:

    • Four guideposts for a meaningful life:

      1. Getting to know the person and building relationships.

      2. Collaborative calendar building.

      3. Supporting goal achievement.

  • 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

  • Introduction to Microsoft 365 and roles of Teams and Outlook.

  • 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

  • Using Teams for chat, file sharing, and scheduling meetings.

  • Integrated calendar functionality for team collaboration.

Module 3: Mastering Outlook Email

Focus: Efficient email management and professional communication.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 30 minutes

  • Inbox organization with folders, rules, and flags.

  • 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

  • Overview of the Excel interface.

  • 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

  • Introduction to AI in professional settings.

  • 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

  • Overview of SharePoint’s role in the Microsoft ecosystem.

  • 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

  • Walkthrough of a case study as a group.

  • Assignment: Homework #1 to reinforce Day 1 topics.

Closing

Focus: Recap and preparation for Day 2.
Instructor: Kim Rhim
Duration: 15 minutes

  • Summary of the day’s key takeaways.

  • Preview of Day 2 topics.

Links and Resources

Click the underscored link below to access information.

​​Topic Overviews

For Supervisors

General Information

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