A workforce in progress: recommendations for a standardized training program for community-based direct support workers in Delaware

Abstract

The need for a standardized community-based training program for direct support workers should be addressed by the disabilities community. By first articulating workforce issues, it is easier to create a plan to address workforce needs. It is important to examine the evidence regarding whether efforts to address these needs can be effective in the context of training development. If workforce development programs in the direct support field and other occupations are associated with an improvement in the articulated workforce issues, it is prudent to identify best practices associated with successful plans. This paper clarifies effective practices in workforce training and development design. After identifying successful community-based direct support workforce training programs and how such direct support workforce programs might be systemically integrated to address Delaware's direct support workforce needs, steps toward planning are recommended.