The Importance of Direct Support Professionals

Event Details

Date: October 13, 2026

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Virtual

Description

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a critical role in the lives of individuals with IDD and mental health needs. This training highlights their impact, explores workforce and supervision challenges, and emphasizes the importance of competency development. Participants will learn strategies for including DSPs in planning, empowering them through feedback and collaboration, and applying the NADD DSP Competency Standards and NADSP Code of Ethics. The session also addresses barriers DSPs face in practice and provides tools to strengthen their role as valued, skilled professionals who directly influence quality of life outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the critical role of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in supporting individuals with IDD and co-occurring mental health needs.
• Identify workforce challenges and barriers DSPs face in their roles.
• Apply the NADD DSP Competency Standards and NADSP Code of Ethics to guide professional practice.
• Evaluate strategies to empower DSPs through inclusion, feedback, and competency development.

The Missouri Behavioral Health Council will award continuing education to behavioral health professionals who log in for the full session.

New Requirement for Continuing Education Credits (Effective July 1, 2025):

To receive CE credits for virtual training or meetings, participants must keep their cameras on for the duration of the training, except during scheduled breaks.

We understand that technical issues can arise. If your camera is not working, please notify the trainer in advance and remain fully engaged throughout the session. Active participation is required in order to be eligible for continuing education credit.

IMPORTANT CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR VIRTUAL ATTENDEES:

1. All attendees must be registered and logged in individually to the virtual event.

2. Please log in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time in order to work out any potential technical difficulties before the event begins.

3. Attendees must be logged in and viewing the presentation for the full event time in order to receive continuing education. If an attendee is not listed on the generated attendance report for the full time, continuing education cannot be awarded. MBHC retains the attendance report for auditing purposes. 

4. If an attendee experiences technical difficulty and is not listed on the attendance report for the full event time, continuing education cannot be awarded. MBHC retains the attendance report for auditing purposes. 

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