CSEA is excited to announce that our union has partnered with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) to provide a nationally recognized professional certification opportunity known as the CSEA/OWPDD Direct Care Certification Program for the direct care workforce.
Direct Support Assistants (DSAs) at OPWDD provide assistance to people with developmental disabilities for their personal needs, to help them participate in programs that strengthen their life skills, to prepare them to get and keep a job and to ensure safe and meaningful inclusion in their communities.
A career with OPWDD as a DSA includes three levels of Direct Support Professional certifications as a DSP-I, DSP-II, and DSP-III. Through a partnership with the NADSP’s E-Badge Academy, national professional certification is available for participants to complete a specified number of hours of NADSP accredited education and earn a series of “badges” by submitting testimonials about their on-the-job experiences providing person centered supports. DSAs earn these competency-based badges that build across each of the three levels of certification. These certifications provide practical, tangible, and demonstrable recognition of the knowledge, skills, and practices of direct care staff.
Additionally, OPWDD DSAs participate in New Employee Orientation (NEO), which NADSP accepts for the required education component of the certification so employees can get credit for training they have already completed. As part of this partnership, DSAs receive a bonus for earning the certification for up to $2,250 for the following levels of achievement:
- DSP-I: $500
- DSP-II: $750
- DSP-III: $1,000
The CSEA/OWPDD Direct Care Certification Program began taking applications from eligible staff in Spring 2024 and received nearly 2,000 applicants.
Beginning in June 2024, the program began enrolling OPWDD DSAs in monthly cohorts, or classes. As part of the certification process, OPWDD supports participants in the program to assist them in navigating the E-Badge Academy and earning their certification.
We’re excited to announce that through February 18, 32 CSEA members have achieved a total of 52 professional certifications and have earned bonuses totaling $25,500.
“I am so proud of those DSPs who have taken the steps to advance their skills and knowledge to enhance their support of people with developmental disabilities, and we are pleased to include a deserving state workforce in this tremendous opportunity,” said OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer. “DSAs who have gone through the E-Badge Academy have said that they feel even more prepared and empowered to help people reach their goals, while increasing their own leadership capabilities at the same time. Thank you to all who are participating and to CSEA for being our valued partner in this effort to professionalize the work of a DSP.”
Participants in the program share OPWDD, CSEA, and NADSP’s enthusiasm for this professional certification opportunity.
“The Direct Care Certification Program has helped me gain a greater understanding of the individuals that I work with. While our stressors are bills and work, their stressors are why they have dietary restrictions and other individuals don’t. Those necessary restrictions are received by the individuals as favoritism. We learn how to communicate differences in care in a way that the individuals can understand, which has helped me communicate more effectively with the people I care for.”
— Shavone Danzy, direct support assistant, Long Island DDSO
“Completing the program was super easy and involved a series of essays. It was a good career choice for me to make the move and to participate in the program.”
— Al Lazaro, direct support assistant 3, Capital District DDSO
