DDSD Provider Support and Research Center

    OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICESDevelopmental Disabilities Services DivisionP.O. Box 25352Oklahoma City, OK  73125(405) 521-3571    January 15, 2010 Provider Letter DDSD #10-02Dear Provider,   In follow up to the provider letter sent November 16, 2009, the information below sets out the current status of Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) training as required by OKDHS policy 340:100-3-38 et seq., including extension dates for the completion of certain required courses.   New employee training Foundation training - No change.  DDSD training staff will continue to provide this class.  An approved alternative is also available through the online College of Direct Support. Effective teaching course - The Effective Teaching/Learning I course (ETL I) will continue to be provided through the University of Oklahoma. Due to contract reductions, there is a decrease in the number of classes, but class size will be increased where possible.  An approved alternative is also available through the online College of Direct Support.   First aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) First Aid and CPR – No change. Courses will continue to be taught by DDSD staff, within provider agencies and through various approved community sources.   Medication administration training Medication administration training - No change. Courses continue to be taught by approved provider agency staff or through the Technology Centers.   Individual-specific training There is no change regarding individual specific training.   Job-specific training  Staff providing residential and in-home supports The residential modules (Health, Skill Building, Communication, Connections, Nuts and Bolts, Ethical and Legal Issues) continue to be taught by East Central University (ECU). Due to contract reductions, there is a decrease in the number of classes, but class size will be increased where possible. Approved alternatives are also available through the online College of Direct Support for all residential courses except Health. An online version of the Health module is in development and will be available by April 1, 2010.    Staff providing employment services Effective December 2009, the University of Oklahoma ceased to provide employment training. All  employment courses will be available online by April 1, 2010, with some available before then. Until that date, DDSD is granting extensions as described below:   Center-based staff, community-based staff and sheltered workshop staff hired or assigned on or after August 1, 2009 have an extension until May 1, 2010 to complete General Employment Training (GET).  Job coaching/employment specialist staff hired or assigned on or after May 1, 2009 have an extension until May 1, 2010 to complete GET and the employment specialist training (ETSO I).        Program coordinators   Health care coordinator (HCC) training – No change. This training continues to be available through the residential Health module or by viewing the HCC DVD and accompanying manual. Health course – The residential Health module continues to be taught by ECU. Due to contract reductions, there is a decrease in the number of classes, but class size will be increased where possible. An online version of the Health training is currently in development and will be available in the online College of Direct Support by April 1, 2010. Individual Plan module – ECU is no longer providing this training.  DDSD training staff will begin providing this training in February 2010. An online version of the Individual Plan module is currently in development. DDSD is granting an extension until March 1, 2010 to program coordination staff hired or assigned on or after December 1, 2009. Quality Assurance module – No change. This training continues to be taught by DDSD training staff. Medication training - No change. Courses continue to be taught by approved provider agency staff or through the Technology Centers. Supervisory training – No change. Courses approved to meet supervisory requirements continue to be noted in the quarterly training schedule. Supervisory courses are also available through the online College of Direct Support. Individual-specific training – No change. Program coordination staff complete individual-specific training specified in the Individual Plan of each service recipient served by the program coordinator.   Employment services program managers   Effective December 2009, the University of Oklahoma ceased to provide employment training. All employment courses will be available online by April 1, 2010.  Until that date, DDSD is granting extensions as described below:    Job coach certification - GET and ETSO I are required before staff are assigned Program Manager duties. In the event that the agency has no staff available who meet the Program  Manager qualifications, staff hired on or after September 1, 2009, to fulfill the Program Manager duties will be given an extension until May 1, 2010 to complete GET and ETSO I. Advanced employment specialist training (ETSO II) - Staff hired or assigned on or after September 1, 2009 to fulfill the Program Manager duties have an extension until May 1, 2010 to complete the course. Program Manager Training (PMT) – Staff hired or assigned on or after September 1, 2009 to fulfill the Program Manager duties have an extension until May 1, 2010 to complete the course. Individual Plan module – ECU is no longer providing this training.  DDSD training staff will  begin providing this training effective February 2010. An online version of the Individual Plan module is currently in development.  DDSD is granting an extension until March 1, 2010 to program manager staff hired or assigned on or after December 1, 2009. Quality Assurance module – No change. This training continues to be taught by DDSD training staff. Medication training - No change. Courses continue to be taught by approved provider agency staff or through the Technology Centers.   Specialized training   Physical support training - Effective December 2009, the required courses offered through Oklahoma State University (Physical Assistance I, Physical Assistance II and Mealtime Challenges) are no longer available. Individual teams are now required to meet, discuss and use an enhanced individual-specific training approach.  Specific guidelines for addressing the training are enclosed. Behavior support training - The Effective Teaching/Learning II course (ETL II) will continue to be provided through the University of Oklahoma. Due to contract reductions, there is a decrease in the number of classes, but class size will be increased where possible. There is also an approved alternative available through the online College of Direct Support.   Providers will be notified when the courses under development become available through the College of Direct Support   If you have any questions, please contact Michaela Bishop, DDSD Training Director. Ms. Bishop can be reached at 405-521-6264 or via e-mail at Michaela.Bishop@okdhs.org.   Sincerely, James M. Nicholson, DirectorOKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division