Life today, and into the future, is greatly changed for people with Developmental Disabilities, like Mental Retardation, and those with serious Metal Illness. Quickly fading from the scene are large congregate living institutions where hundreds, and even thousands, of individuals were segregated from the community and "protected" or "treated" for their own good.

Today the focus of service has moved from custodial care to normalization and self-determination. The emphasis has changed from "doing something to the individual" to "supporting the individual to do for him or her self". The focus is self-determination. The locus or place of service has moved from the institution to the community. The locus is inclusion and integration in the every day life of the communities and neighborhoods where we all live.

This shift in the purpose and location of service has created not only an increase in the need for more workers to provide community support, but also the need for increased training and skill development in the workforce.

What is a Direct Support Professional? A Direct Support Professional is an individual who has acquired the knowledge, skills and ethical judgment which allows him or her to guide and support individuals who need assistance to be self-sufficient. A Direct Support Professional may support a range of individuals with physical, psychiatric, cognitive disabilities or chronic illness; they may support children, adolescents, or adults with disabilities or illness, or even families who need assistance in supporting their own family member.

A Direct Support Professional uses his or her knowledge and skills, not only to assure the health and safety of individuals in the community, but also works to create opportunities for growth and self-direction in the individual's daily life, including self-care, socialization, work and recreation. This happens in a variety of settings, including the individual's family home, the individual's own home or apartment, a small community group home, work sites, and out-and-about in the community (shops, malls, markets, offices, parks, playgrounds, theaters, etc.; in cars or vans, on buses and trains).

A Direct Support Professional may have a variety of job titles. They may be called Residential Counselor, Program Worker, Advisor or Instructor. Other job titles might include: Job Coach, Employment Specialist, Day Program Worker, Rehabilitation Specialist or Personal Support Assistant. Whatever the working job title these jobs share similar requirements and skills: the ability to teach life skills, provide assistance and encouragement, and to support the empowerment of the individual in making choices and self-direction.

Entry level into a career as a Direct Support Professional usually requires a high school diploma (or equivalency), a criminal background check, legal status to work in the United States and, if working with children, a child abuse clearance. In most cases there may also be an age requirement (18 years of age or older) and the possession of a valid driver's license.

At the present time, typical training for entry into a Direct Support Professional career usually involves a brief orientation or classroom training followed by on-the-job training or mentoring. Certain health and safety knowledge and skills are required, and competency must be demonstrated and maintained, such as, First Aid, CPR, fire safety, and medication management among others. Most employers require attendance at continuing education programs, and some offer tuition reimbursement.

Many provider agencies participate in the University of Minnesota's College of Direct Support, which provides a web-based training curriculum in the specific knowledge, skills and values needed by Direct Support Professionals.

Entry level salaries are typically in the range of $8.00 to $9.00 per hour. Direct Support Professionals working in State licensed human service agencies can expect benefits that include health care, vacation and sick leave, and workman's compensation insurance among other benefits. A variety of work schedules are available including day, evening, weekends and holidays. While most positions are full time, there are usually many opportunities for part-time work.

The job opportunities for Direct Support Professionals will continue to grow in the future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a job growth for personal care workers in the mental health and mental retardation fields of approximately 50% by the year 2014.

"Direct Support Professionals are the everyday heroes that help people with disabilities realize their dreams and enjoy the daily liberties and human rights that the rest of us take for granted". - The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals