Broadly speaking, staff training is about changing patterns of behavior from an over-reliance on habit and personal experience to the consistent implementation of best practices. Unfortunately, staff training often falls short of this goal.
As COVID-19 has drastically changed the work that DSPs perform on a daily basis, today’s direct support professionals need to receive skills training that prepares them for the complex jobs ahead of them. These changes range from a fear for their own personal safety to the increased risk on the physical and mental well-being of those they serve. The study found that DSPs, by and large, have had to work increased hours while taking on additional responsibilities. Not only are that, but those they serve suffering from the isolation brought on by quarantine measures and are displaying greater symptoms of depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues.
While widespread staff turnover during the pandemic has made it hard for organizations to provide their typical level of training, it must become a priority. By providing better training, organizations help their DSPs become more skilled practitioners, increasing the level of care offered to persons served.
Direct Support Professional Skills Training Focused on Behavior Change
Providing your direct support professionals with continuing education will empower your organization to provide better care to persons served and creates a more stable and satisfied DSP workforce. Building out these training plans, however, can feel like a daunting task. In this section, we will detail how to create easy-to-execute training plans for your DSPs using effective adult learning theory techniques. Have you taken the necessary steps to build on the competency and skill development of your direct support professionals? Do you have a training curriculum that is specifically built around what motivates your DSPs and ensures they have the skills they need?
These techniques will help learners become and remain engaged in their training, while simultaneously improving their retention of the information presented:
- Story-based learning courses employ short vignettes and scenarios that let the learner make real-life decisions in situations they’re likely to face in their day-to-day jobs.
- Providing feedback to learners goes beyond “Correct” or “Try again.” Be sure to provide helpful, thoughtful feedback during direct support professional training sessions.
- Engaging content can help learners relate the material to real-world subjects and situations.
- Free Resources to Combat COVID-19.
