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Director, Student Programs
925.942.3368


DSP Training Specialist
925.942.3442

DSPT FAX
925.942.1057

Educational Services

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Direct Support Professional Training (DSPT)

About | Schedules | Registration | Resources | Contact

About DSPT

DSPT meds trainingDirect Support Professional Training (DSPT) is provided in cooperation with the state of California Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Education, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education ROP. This two-year, 70-hour standardized statewide competency-based training program is mandatory for all direct support staff (and administrators who provide direct support) working in licensed community care facilities. The DSPT program is divided into two equal segments of 35 hours, Year 1 and Year 2, each to be completed in successive years for a total of 70 hours. At the conclusion of each 35 hours of training, the direct support professional will complete a skill check(s) and take a test to verify completion.

Community Care Facilities (CCFs) are licensed by the Department of Social Services and administered by regional centers to provide residential services and support to people with developmental disabilities. Currently, in the state of California, there are approximately 23,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities residing in 5,214 CCFs.

The DSPT program ensures that each recipient of residential services will be treated with the highest standard of service, and that direct support professionals receive training and recognition as professionals.

Contra Costa County ROP provides the DSPT program at no cost to direct support professionals working in CCFs.

 

Program Details

Challenge Tests
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) have one opportunity to pass a challenge test for Year 1 and/or Year 2 in lieu of training. If a Direct Support Professional does not receive a passing score on either the Year 1 or Year 2 challenge test, he or she must enroll in the 35-hour training class for that respective year.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Completion of the 35-hour training class may be used for CEUs under Title 17. Passing the challenge test only does not qualify for CEU credit.

DSPT Challenge Test Skill Check Demonstration
Beginning September 2007, the DSP training Year 1 and Year 2 challenge tests incorporate a skill check component. The skill check component requires DSPs to demonstrate how to correctly assist consumers with the self-administration of medications, which aligns the challenge test with the requirements of the 70-hour training.

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Class Schedules

Download registration materials and a printable class schedule here (PDF)

 

DSPT Classes Offered at the Contra Costa County Office of Education

  Session
Number
Date and Time
*NOTE: the last three sessions of each class meet one hour earlier at 9:00 a.m.
DSP
Training
Year 1
June – July, 2013
106		 Tuesday & Thursday
6/25, 27, 7/9, 11, 16
*7/18 – 7/25
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
August – September, 2013
108		 Tuesday & Thursday
8/13 – 8/27
*8/29 – 9/5
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
November – December, 2013
111		 Tuesday & Thursday
11/12 – 11/21, 12/3
*12/5 – 12/12
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
DSP
Training
Year 2		 May – June, 2013
205		 Tuesday & Thursday
5/7 – 5/16, 5/28
*5/30 – 6/6
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
September – October, 2013
209		 Tuesday & Thursday
9/24 – 10/8
*10/10, 10/22 & 10/24
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

All classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
*NOTE: the last three sessions of each class meet one hour earlier at 9:00 a.m.

Location: Contra Costa County Office of Education
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

 

DSPT Classes Offered at Community Care Facilities (see location)

  Session
Number
Dates*
 Location
DSP
Training
Year 2		 205A May 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, & 15 Antioch, CA
206E June 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, & 27 El Sobrante, CA

*Session time: all classes meet from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

DSP Challenge Test Offered at the Contra Costa Office of Education (CCCOE)

Direct support professionals (DSPs) have one opportunity to pass a challenge test for Year 1 and/or Year 2 in lieu of training. If a direct support professional does not receive a passing score on either the Year 1 or Year 2 challenge test, he or she must enroll in the 35-hour training class for that respective year.

DSP April May June July August September
Year 1 3 8 5 10 7 4
Year 2 24 29 26 24 28 11

Check in: 8:30 a.m., Test: 9:00 a.m.

Location: Contra Costa County Office of Education
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

 

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Registration

You must PRE-REGISTER

Use the online registration forms below. Forms may submitted online or faxed to
(925) 934-1057 or printed and mailed to the CCCOE ROP Department at 77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Students registering for Year 2 must provide proof of passing year 1 test or training before they can take Year 2 test or training. Please fax a copy of your Year 1 certificate with your registration form to (925) 934-1057

Important Reminders:

Please bring the following items. You will not be admitted without them:

  1. Picture I.D. –  drivers license or other photo identification.
  2. Vendor Code – the vendor code is the number that is used by Community Care Facilities to bill the Regional Center

You are permitted to bring and use a dictionary during the test

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Resources

Related Links

Contact Us

For questions or more information contact Gina Schenk at gschenk@cccoe.k12.ca.us
or at (925) 942-3442

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