Ohio’s #1 Job in Demand

PRESS RELEASE

TuscBDD and Buckeye Career Center Partner to Offer New Adult Ed. Class

New Philadelphia, January 30, 2018: This spring, adult students can discover a new career path in the Direct Support Professional field at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio. The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD) has partnered with the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP) and Buckeye Career Center (BCC) to offer a one week, adult education class (DSPaths) that will be hosted at BCC. Scholarships are available for this program through TuscBDD.

Many people living with developmental disabilities in Tuscarawas County rely on paid caregivers and support teams. These caregivers are called Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and are an integral part of the lives of the people they support. DSPs help people live as independently as possible through various responsibilities that could include meal preparation, transportation, assisting with working or volunteering in the community, and more.
Many people do not realize that direct support is the number one job in demand. "There is a shortage of caretakers across the country and Tuscarawas County is no different. One problem is that people are unaware of the rewarding jobs that are available in this field" expressed TuscBDD's Community Relations and Special Projects Coordinator Kerri Silverthorn. "We are ready to support the community in discovering a new-found passion in this field so that the agencies we partner with and people we provide services to have reliable resources" furthered Silverthorn.

This course is for current employees in the field as well as people who are just discovering it. Current employees will advance their career with these 30 additional training hours plus they will earn the first step in becoming fully credentialed which is recognized fiscally through the state. People who are new to the field will gain the advantage of having all the training they need and will be ready for a career that is in the highest demand. BCC will host the 30- hour DSPath's course beginning on March 26, 2018 and ending on March 30th. "This DSP program is a win-win for Tuscarawas County because it is something that will help people obtain rewarding jobs in a matter of weeks while turning over fully trained professionals to agencies and people who need the supports" stated BCC's Adult Education Coordinator Mr. Frank Polen. "We are excited to see how far this program will reach in the coming years as this field continues to grow!"

After students complete the course, they will receive a DSPaths basic certificate as well as information on local agencies where they can apply for a career as a DSP. "We are eager to see how this will encourage people to discover the field and increase the number of well-trained staff available to our excellent providers here in Tuscarawas County" stated TuscBDD's Superintendent Nate Kamban "Most importantly, we know that having good DSPs will benefit the people we serve by providing them with high quality services and excellent care" furthered Kamban.

TuscBDD Community Connections Specialist, Chris Sapp will teach the course with curriculum from OADSP that was developed specifically to give DSPs the training they need to provide quality supports. Sapp has a wealth of knowledge to hare on this topic from her own personal experience as a mother of a young man with developmental disabilities and as a former DSP.

The cost to participate in this program is $400, and 5 spring scholarships will be awarded by TuscBDD. To apply for the program and/or scholarship, please contact BCC at 330.308.5720 or 1.800.227.1665. BCC is located at 545 University Drive NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.