MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – This Summer, SUNY Orange is offering the first courses for its newly approved Direct Support Professionals 1 microcredential, a two-course curriculum for those already working in the direct support field.

The DSP I program is the first in a series of DSP microcredentials that the College will be offering to support professional development of the DSP labor force. The microcredential programs, once completed, will provide students with transferrable college credits in preparation for continuing into a degree program at SUNY Orange or elsewhere if they desire. After completing the courses in the DSP I microcredential, students will take the DSP I level of the NADSP certification process.

The microcredentials will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of: the foundation of human behavior; treatment; psychological disorders; the helping process; person-centered practices; crisis intervention; therapeutic relationships; safety; respectful verbal, non-verbal and written communication; cultural competency; empowerment and advocacy; and ethical decision-making.

The following courses are included in the DSP-I microcredential: Introduction to Human Services and Introduction to Psychology. The DSP-I courses are planned for the Fall semester as well, as are the courses for the newly approved DSP-II microcredential, which include Human Services Field Experience 1 and Technical Writing for Human Services.

The College’s development of the DSP microcredentials was bolstered by a nearly $1.21 million grant from the State University of New York (SUNY), in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).

Grant funding for this initiative, totaling $1,209,949, will cover tuition, books, course materials, NADSP credentialing for students and educational supports. In addition, the program will offer a $750 incentive to eligible students who successfully complete each level of the microcredential and earn an NADSP certification.

For more information, contact Nolly Climes, SUNY Orange human services coordinator, at nolly.climes@sunyornage.edu or (845) 341-4139, or visit www.sunyorange.edu/microcredentials.