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Certificates of Achievement:

Professional Development Plans for Direct Support Professionals and IDD Staff

DSPs Want More Training and Professional Development

For organizations looking to improve DSP and IDD staff satisfaction, engagement, and retention, Relias and ANCOR’s Certificates of Achievement program are here to help. Theses Certificates combine ANCOR’s extraordinary knowledge of the challenges facing IDD providers with Relias’ award-winning educational resources to bring immediate results to your organization and the talented staff who make it work.

Within Relias’ learning management system, you get access to all 10 tracks in the Certificates of Achievement program.

With ten certificate programs available, you can now provide targeted avenues for professional development to your staff, including DSPs. Each certificate focuses on a strategic area identified by Relias and ANCOR to be most impactful for improving both organizational and employee health, well-being, and development. The full list of certificate tracks are:

  • Emerging Leader
  • Peer Mentor
  • Community Employment Specialist
  • Safety Specialist
  • Aging Population Specialist
  • Employee Wellness Specialist
  • Customized Self-Employment Specialist
  • Human Resources Professional
  • Behavior Specialist
  • Community Inclusion Specialist

Keep reading to learn more about the 10 different certificate tracks and our partnership with ANCOR.

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ANCOR: Leadership, Innovation, Inclusion, Celebration

The ANCOR Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization created to support the development of innovative programs and disseminate information that will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The ANCOR Foundation mission is to recognize current and past leaders and to develop future leaders through dynamic education and innovative practices to strengthen inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

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The 10 Certificates of Achievement Tracks

Relias and ANCOR’s Certificates of Achievement help IDD organizations provide targeted avenues for professional growth for DSPs and other IDD staff that traditionally lack formal paths for development. There are 10 tracks, each focusing on strategic areas identified by Relias and ANCOR to be most impactful for improving both organizational and employee health, well-being, and development.

Emerging Leader

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff who you have identified as emerging leaders in your organization for leadership positions.

Courses cover topics like emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, time management, and promoting a positive workplace.

Peer Mentor

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff as peer mentors so they can establish successful mentor/mentee relationships.

Courses cover topics like communication, trust building, providing feedback, and problem solving.

Behavior Specialist

Prepare DSPs for training as a behavior specialist to support and be knowledgeable of the necessary behavior supports for the IDD population.

Courses cover topics like crisis intervention, positive behavioral support, behavior challenge, and promoting relaxation.

Community Inclusion Specialist

Prepare DSPs as community inclusion specialists so they can foster successful relationships within the community and people they serve.

Courses cover topics like person-centered planning, communication, and choice-making.

Human Resources Professional

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff as human resources professionals and learn more about human resources in IDD organizations.

Courses cover topics like cultural competence, team building, communication, and employee engagement.

Community Employment Specialist

Help DSPs/IDD staff support an individual’s goal in obtaining community employment according to their interests, skills, and abilities.

This course content was developed by Griffin Hammis, a leader in customized employment and employs the ‘Discovering Personal Genius’ process.

Safety Specialist

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff as Safety Specialists and be active participants in the planning, implementing, and overseeing of an IDD organization.

Courses cover topics like falls prevention, risk management, workplace safety, and safety management.

Aging Population Specialist

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff as Aging Population Specialists and become knowledgeable of the necessary support for the aging IDD population.

Courses cover topics like fall prevention, Alzheimer’s Disease, safe eating, and human growth and development.

Employee Wellness Specialist

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff as Employee Wellness Specialists and be knowledgeable on employee wellness.

Courses cover topics like work/life balance, time management, smoking cessation, and budgeting.

Customized Self-Employment Specialist

Prepare DSPs/IDD staff as Employee Wellness Specialists and be knowledgeable on establishing a consumer-owned/operated small business.

Courses cover topics like business feasibility, business plan development and execution, and the ‘Discovering Personal Genius’ process.

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