Training Resources

Orientation

New employees at Options are required to complete a combination of online, classroom, and
on-the-job training designed to prepare them for their new positions.  In addition to agency
and customer-specific training, our orientation program provides certification in:   

• The American Red Cross CPR and First Aid

•  The Crisis Prevention Institute's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

• Core A and B Living in the Community - Medication Administration

•  The State of Indiana's new Foundations of Direct Support

The online portion of the orientation program may be found here:
OPOLE.

Continuing Education

All DSPs in the state of Indiana are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education each
year.  In 2009 at Options, this continuing education will include a two-day team-based renewal
training session.  Each team is assigned a month in which to complete their certification, and
the renewal training sessions are scheduled at the team's convenience.  The renewal training
includes training on:

• Customer rights and prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation

• Communication and teambuilding

• Health and safety issues

• Medication administration

• Crisis management

• CPR/FA
  (These certifications must be renewed by each employee before it expires, so some
  employees will need to complete this training before their team's scheduled renewal sessions). 

To sign up for renewal training, please contact Jennifer Howlett or Jillian East at extension 231. 

DSP Certification

Options employees are currently eligible for free college classes through the DSP Certificate
program at Ivy Tech.  The certificate program includes five 3-credit-hour online classes on
the following topics: 

•  HUMS 116 - Introduction to Disabilities

• HUMS 123 - Health and Safety

• HUMS 126 - Community Integration

• HUMS 127 - Positive Personal Supports

• HUMS 128 - Disability Support Teams

DSPs that are currently participating in this pilot program are not responsible for any tuition,
books, or other fees associated with the classes, and are eligible for paid study-group time. 
Upon completion of the program, DSPs are eligible for a dollar per hour wage increase, and
may apply for certification through the National Alliance of Direct Support Professions.

If you are interested in this program, or would like more information, please contact Jennifer Howlett
or Jillian East at extension 231. 

 DSPA Events 

Options is collaborating with other local providers, Christole and Stone Belt,
to host events that are designed to support professional caregivers in our
community.   Direct Support Professional Assembly events combine professional
development training with relaxing spa services to enhance the learning experience. 

 2009 events include: 

 June, 2009 - DSPA Presents Tom Pomeranz,
"Assuring Individual Rights:  The Price of Freedom"

Attendees reported that this was a "powerful" and "mind-changing"
session that dramatically altered the way they thought about coordinating
and providing support to individuals with disabilities.

 June, 2009 - DSPA's First Annual Conference and Retreat

Free massages, manicures, and other spa services were combined
with keynote speakers and breakout workshops on topics ranging from
understanding epilepsy to educating individuals with disabilities about sexuality. 

 September, 2009 - DSPA's Direct Support Professional
Appreciation Week Cook-out/Carry-in

DSPs are invited to attend this event on Friday, September 11^th from
11am to 1pm at Karst Farm park. Everyone is encouraged to bring a
dish to share - prizes will be awarded for the yummiest! 

 November, 2009 - DSPA's Web 2.0 Technology Training

twitterfacebookbloggingforuminstantmessagevideoconference
podcastyoutubewikisocialnetworkHUH?  If the new tools available
seem to be out of your reach, join us for a hands-on training session
 where you will find out how to make THEM work for YOU. 






                                  

Pictures from the First Annual DSPA Conference and Retreat

Library Resources

Options maintains a library of books, videos, DVDs, and training
guides on disability-support related topics at the main office. 
Options library resource list

Additional items may be accessed through the IIDC's CeDIR Library

Accel
Timekeeping

Accel Tips &
Task Codes

Training Resources

Resource Library

The Grapevine

Online renewal training (Moodle)