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

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


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