Description

Offers a suite of competency-based, online curricula for professionals providing services to people with intellectual, developmental, physical, and psychiatric disabilities, and to older adults. Operated by a partnership of the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL) and Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical, and medical information, DirectCourse is comprised of four colleges:

• The College of Direct Support, based at the RTC-CL

• The College of Employment Services, based at the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston

• The College of Personal Assistance and Caregiving, based at the Center for Personal Assistance Services, University of California, San Francisco

• The College of Recovery and Community Inclusion, based at Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

Contact
Kristin Dean
Director
Amy S Hewitt
Website
directcourseonline.com/
Collaborators
Center for Personal Assistance Services, University of California, San Francisco
Elsevier
Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston
Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion for Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities [Philadelphia, PA]

Staff

Claire E Benway :: National Training Consultant


Staff

Connie J Burkhart :: Graphic Designer


Kristin Dean :: Director of Information Technology


Staff

Nicole K Duchelle :: Education Program Spec 2


Gretchen B Gallagher Weinstein :: Principal Office and Administrative Specialist


Jennifer A Hall-Lande :: Research Associate


Amy S Hewitt :: Director, Institute on Community Integration


Barbara A Kleist :: Program Manager


Sheryl A Larson :: Research Manager


Shawn C Lawler :: Web Developer


Macdonald M Metzger :: Director of Outreach and Engagement


Susan N O'Nell :: Director of Curriculum Development


Staff

Amanda W Ryan :: Academic Technologist


Megan L Sanders :: National Training Consultant


Jerry W Smith :: Director of Marketing and Communications


Staff

Michelle C Smith :: Education Program Spec 2


Jolene M Thibedeau Boyd :: Education Program Spec 2


Chet Tschetter :: National Training Consultant


Product

DirectCourse

Offers a suite of competency-based, online curricula for professionals providing services to people with intellectual, developmental, physical, and psychiatric disabilities, and to older adults. …

Published: 2004

Invaluable: The Unrecognized Profession of Direct Support

“Invaluable: The Unrecognized Profession of Direct Support” is a documentary film exploring the underappreciated and underfunded work of direct support professionals (DSPs), the people who support …

Published: 2019

Topics

  • Direct support workforce
    • Supervision and mentoring
    • Human resources and management
    • Retention and recruitment
    • Workforce development strategies
    • Training
  • Community life
    • Aging and retirement
    • Assistive/adaptive technology
    • Civil rights
    • Community supports and services
    • Friendships and social relationships
    • Parenting and family relationships
    • Person-centered planning and practices
    • Positive behavior support
    • Quality outcomes
    • Recreation and leisure
    • Self-advocacy and self-determination
    • Social inclusion
    • ISP development
    • Consumer/self-directed services
  • Specific life stage
    • Children
    • Adolescents and young adults
    • Adults
    • Seniors
  • Housing and residential services
    • Community group residential
    • Consumer/self-directed services
    • Family supports/in-home services
    • Housing access
  • Employment and postsecondary education
    • Accommodations and supports
    • Assistive/adaptive technology
    • Career preparation
    • Customized employment
    • Employment and workforce development
    • Supported employment
  • Health and safety
    • Emergency/disaster preparedness
    • Health and wellness
    • Healthcare
    • Mental health supports
  • Specific disability
    • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
    • Emotional/behavioral disorder (EBD)
    • Intellectual/developmental disability (IDD)
    • Mental health and/or chemical dependency
    • Multiple disabilities
    • Physical disability

Activities

  • Training and professional development