DSP TRAINING STIPEND PROGRAM – Eligibility, Process and More

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Direct Support Professional (DSP) Training Stipend

Beginning September 2023, DSPs may receive up to two $625 (before taxes) stipends when they complete online training courses approved by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). The Training Stipend Program ends June 30, 2024, and all courses must be completed by that date.

DSPs, including some frontline supervisors and clinical staff, who meet the following criteria are eligible for the training stipend:

Work as a paid DSP an average of 10 hours or more per week;
Perform direct support tasks like skills development, guidance, and personal assistance to regional center consumers as a regular part of their job duties;
Spend at least 50% of work hours doing direct support tasks; and
Are employed by a regional center vendor or by a participant in the Self-Determination Program.

Approved DSP training courses are available in the ARCA Learning Center at https://provider.arcalearn.org. To register, the DSP must input their employer’s vendor number, verify the vendor’s name, and input the name of the regional center associated with the vendor number. DSPs should ask their employer for this information. For DSPs supporting individuals through Participant-Directed Services or in the Self-Determination Program, the Financial Management Services (FMS) vendor should provide their information. (Please reach out to the ARCA helpdesk for technical assistance at lmssupport@arcalearn.freshdesk.com)

To obtain the first training stipend, DSPs must complete the Code of Ethics training. DSPs can receive a second stipend after they complete an additional Department approved course. A list of Department approved online courses can be found under the DSP Training Stipend Program tab found at https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/workforce-initiatives/#tab-training-stipend

Service Providers will receive $150 for each employee completing each of the two courses.

Please see the attached webinars or FAQ

To participate in this program, please complete, sign and email the following agreement to dspworkforce@sgprc.org.