Direct Support Professional Academy

What is a DSP?

 

A Direct Support Professional or DSP, supports a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives. This can include; supporting community inclusion, personal care, employment goals, teaching new skills, relationship building, and many more! DSP’s are in high demand in today’s job market.

What is the DSP Academy?

The DSP Academy is RCM of Washington’s customized vocational training program that upon completion, participants will have all training and certifications needed to be a DSP in the District. The curriculum has been adapted to suit all learning styles and job development has been built into the academy.

Note: Currently, participants must be eligible for services
under the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

This six week program includes:

  • All certification required of DC DSPs
  • Hard and soft employment skills
  • Experiential Learning Opportunities

Read Testimonials from past DSP Graduates:

“Great learning experience, exceptional patience from the (RCM) employees with explaining material and answering questions. I enjoyed interacting with the people I was training with.”

“The most valuable experience wasn’t academic. It has been enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. I have learned different disabilities people may have and how to support them. Through the training, I have learned how to support people to enhance their social skills, communication skills, and self-worth. I have learned empathy for others.”

“I enjoyed engaging myself with all types of disabilities and coming up with creative ideas to help support a person so that they can have a good quality of life.”

“This experience was an eye opener for me. It gave me insights on the history of disability and how programs for people with disabilities came about.”

DSP Academy in the News

Several news sources have written about the success and ingenuity of our Direct Support Professional training program. Check out the articles here and watch the new BBC video feature!

NEW: BBC News Video

Washington Post

DSP Article Yes To Employment! Podcast Episode 

Disability Scoop Feature 

 

Interested in learning more about the DSP Academy?

For more information and eligibility requirements please contact us sbrooks@rcmofwashington.com or call at (202) 789-1930, ext 131.

Contact RCM of Washington, Inc.

64 New York Ave NE
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: + 1 (202) 789-1930
Fax: + 1 (202) 318-1169

People Are Talking

Bernard Crawford, Person Supported

RCM is doing good. RCM is a good organization, they are like my family. The service they provide is very good. The service they provide for people to go and get a job is very good. The Special Olympics is good also. The people who work with RCM are great and kind, they are very good people and they care about people. People should come to RCM to see how great the organization is run, and how much they care, provide and love everyone.

Bernard Crawford, Person Supported

Maedi Tanham Carney, Parent

Innovative and hardworking, diligent on solving problems.

Maedi Tanham Carney, Parent

Barona Whiteing-Green, Family Member of Person Supported

I have been associated with RCM for approximately 15 years. My brother, Robert, was a long-time resident of yours. He received excellent care up to the time of his passing. Staff at RCM are very professional. I was always contacted in a timely manner for any situation that concerned my brother. I was always notified of family meetings. RCM is a caring, loving organization, and I will, and do recommend them to family and friends. I especially love the activities that you have. RCM is always doing something exciting. I love seeing that happy faces on my Facebook feed! Keep up the awesome job!

Barona Whiteing-Green, Family Member of Person Supported

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