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Direct Support Professional Training (DSP) are vital resources for communities and healthcare organizations, connecting people to the services and information they need. The Direct Support Professional Training enhances the skills of DSPs and Health Service Workers through a 12-module competency-based training.
The program aims to achieve health success and innovation in underserved communities by expanding the number of direct service healthcare workers, improving the skills of existing professionals, and offering on-the-job training apprenticeships to increase the workforce.
The curriculum caters to various individuals, including new and aspiring DSPs, experienced direct service professionals seeking to enhance their healthcare industry knowledge, and DSP apprenticeship participants.
By joining the training program, you can enjoy several benefits:
- Earn up to 18 college credits from Tennessee community colleges, providing a head start towards pursuing a degree or career in your field of interest.
- Gain up to 432 clock hours of specialized training and experience at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), making you more valuable in the job market.
- Improve career pathways and growth opportunities by acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to advance in your current role or transition to related fields.
- Receive mentorship and support from experienced instructors and advisors to help achieve your personal goals.
- Earn micro-credential badges for each competency acquired, showcasing your skills and enhancing your job prospects or further education opportunities.
Direct Support Professional Training offers a comprehensive and convenient way to succeed in the field of long-term support services. To make education more accessible, we provide the Direct Support Professional Training Program scholarship, offering up to $3,000 based on your financial aid eligibility to support your completion of training program.
Don't miss this opportunity to advance your skills and become an asset to your community. Enroll in the Direct Support Professional Training program today!
Direct Support Professional Training: Scholarship
The Tennessee Board of Regents is offering scholarships to strengthen the public health workforce to better meet the needs of under resourced communities by training new Direct Support Professionals. Scholarships to get the Direct Support Professional Training (DSP) Certificate are available for 160 students to start classes in August 2023.
Current and incoming DSP certificate students may be able to get a scholarship that covers tuition and some related costs for up to one year of their DSP certificate program. Participants of the training program may apply for a $3000 scholarship to cover expenses related to the successful completion of training. These expenses include transportation, technology, supplies, childcare, etc. (Please note that financial aid support may result in less than full scholarship payment.)
Who can qualify for the scholarship:
You must have a high school diploma or GED and be a citizen of the United States or be a foreign national, having in your possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States (these are not requirements to complete a DSP certificate, they are required for the scholarship). Eligible degree programs include: DSP certificate only
To Apply for this Scholarship
Please complete the application below to apply to the Tennessee Board of Regents HRSA DSP Certificate Scholarship.
NOTE: This is NOT an application to one of the DSP certificate Programs. If you are not a current student and have not yet applied to one of the schools, please email derravia.rich@tbr.edu to get connected to a school. You must be accepted into a college and its DSP certificate program to be eligible for this scholarship.
You must apply and be accepted in the DSP certificate Program at one of the schools to get a scholarship.
If you have questions while completing this scholarship application, or during the process, please contact us.
Steps to Apply for the Scholarship
*To apply, you must be enrolled in one of the following TBR colleges initially offering DSP programming: Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) Shelbyville and Livingston and Dyersburg State Community College.
If you have questions during the process, please contact us.
Direct Support Professional Program: Apprenticeship Pathway
Who can be a DSP Apprentice at a Registered Apprenticeship?
Any Tennessee resident can become a DSP apprentice through a registered apprenticeship program. The DSP apprenticeship is designed for individuals who currently work in healthcare and are looking to re-skill into a different occupation or for individuals who would like to start a career in health care and have no prior experience in the field.
How do I become an apprentice?
Employers who have established a registered apprenticeship program through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development choose their own apprentices. For a list of employers who have established or are starting apprenticeship programs contact zachary.adams@tbr.edu.
What are the benefits of being an apprentice?
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has requirements that employers who operate apprenticeships must follow. These include:
- Employers determine wage and must provide benefits to apprentices.
- Wage must increase with training and education hours and at the end of the 12-month program be a living wage as determined by TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development (adjusted by region/ area of employment)
- Apprentices must be employed full time (at least 32 hours per week)
- Employers must provide safety training (at least 50 hours)
- Minimum of 144 hours of relevant educational instruction must be provided (this can include the DSP Certificate Program)
- On-site mentor who will guide apprentices through the training and education.
- At the end of the apprenticeship experience (1 year), apprentices will have a nationally recognized credential, and will stay on as an employee of the organization.
What will the Direct Support Professional Program (DSP) do to enhance the apprenticeship experience?
- Direct Support Professional program staff can help connect you with apprenticeship sites and other employment opportunities.
- DSP staff will connect with both you and your employer over the apprenticeship period to check-in.
- You may apply for a $7500 stipend paid for by the grant.
Interested in participating?
If you have questions during the process, please contact us.
Meet the DSP team
Derravia Rich
Program Specialist
dsptraining@tbr.edu
(615) 365-1595
Yolanda Vaughn
Senior Program Coordinator
Yolanda.vaughn@tbr.edu
(615) 365-1512
Dr. Chuck Lopez
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
Chuck.lopez@tbr.edu