Complete DSP training at Mid and join the more than 45,000 Direct Support Professionals around the state who help older adults and persons with disabilities live their best life at home and in the community. Learn communication techniques and ways to assist with daily living activities that may include supported employment, independent living skills, homemaking, housekeeping, socialization, and personal care.

Upcoming Training Sessions

Class Dates TBA

Length | 64 hours

Training Cost

  • $1,350 per person
  • Includes all training supplies

Training Location

  • Mt. Pleasant Campus
  • Morey Technical Education Center Room 108
Helping hands icon.

Interested in helping others in an assisted living facility setting?

All About DSP Training

Direct support professionals (DSP) work in a variety of home and community-based settings, and are paid to assist people with their activities of daily living. Work depends on the employer and clients served.

For older adults, this may include working at a person's home and providing support with any or all of the following tasks: dressing, bathing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, meal preparation, and companionship. In other settings, a DSP may be employed to assist an individual with intellectual or physical disabilities in their day-to-day activities or work.

Training Topics

  • Introduction to Community Residential Services
  • Introduction to the Specialized Needs of Individuals with Developmental
  • Disability or Mental Illness
  • Health Interventions: Hygiene, Infection Control, Nutrition, Food Preparation,
  • Special Diets, Signs & Symptoms of Illness, Vital Signs
  • Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services
  • Safety & Fire Prevention
  • Medications
  • Person-Centered Planning
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Non-Aversive Techniques

Currently the program fee is $1,350, and includes all training supplies.

Funding is available for qualified individuals through MI Works! or MI Rehab Services to offset some or all training costs. Contact your area agency to find out if you qualify.

Federal Financial Aid is not available for this training.

Percent increase in job growth icon.Earnings

  • Median Pay: $12.15/hour or $25,280/year

Employment Outlook (2019-2029):

  • 34% or Much faster than average

Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and valid 2019 through 2029.

For more information, visit O*Net Online.

Mid Michigan Industries (MMI) has been working in the region for almost 50 years developing inclusive communities and meaningful connections through employment and training-offering a wide variety of programs to adults with disabilities.In an effort to recruit, hire, and retain qualified direct support professionals (DSP) who provide the services/supports that people need to live and participate fully in their communities, our organization has implemented many best practices in the recruitment and retention of these valuable staff members.

One of the key pieces of our recruitment and retention plan is high-quality, competency-based training. Over the past year, we have been encouraging our staff members to participate in the training provided by Mid Michigan College, and we have seen significantly reduced turnover rates (from 50% in the first 60 days before the training to 10% following completion of the training), enhanced workforce satisfaction, and improved outcomes for the clients who are receiving services.

As we share our successes with other organizations that are significantly struggling with the same staffing issues, they share their frustration of not having similar high-quality training available in their region. Thank you Mid!

Cherie Johnson, MMI CEO

Student Requirements

  • 18 years of age
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Negative TB test
  • Clean criminal background record (required)
CONTACT
Harrison Campus Technical Education Center
CONTACT
Mt. Pleasant Campus Morey Technical Education Center