| DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS)
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL:
Children’s Behavioral Health Services (BHP)
How can I get the BHP Training?
The Department of Health and Human
Services - Children’s Behavioral Health Services (DHHS -
CBHS) has contracted with the Behavioral Health Sciences Institute
(BHSI) to coordinate all aspects of the Behavioral Health Professional
Training Program. BHSI trains qualified individuals to deliver
the BHP training within agencies. In addition, BHSI hosts BHP
trainings throughout the year. BHSI-hosted trainings are open
to the first 20 qualified participants. Agency-sponsored BHP trainings
have five seats open to participants who are not from that agency.
BHSI sends out notifications of all BHP trainings 30 days in advance
of the training. If you would like to inquire about upcoming BHP
trainings, or if you would like us to include you on our mailing
list, please contact BHSI at (207) 688-4589 x161. Also, you can
view the current list of state-wide trainings at this
location.
How do I access academic
credits for the BHP training?
In order to access 3 academic
credits, you must:
1. enroll in the Behavioral Health
and Human Services Program at SMCC, and
2. present your official BHSI training certificate and complete
a Southern Maine Community College - Behavioral Health Sciences
and Human Services Program form.
What is the cost of the
BHP Training?
There is no cost to attend BHSI-hosted
trainings. However, trainings hosted by outside agencies may require
a small fee for materials.
DIRECT
SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP): Adult Developmental Services
Can you describe the
Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) process?
The APL test was initiated in 2002 as a temporary
measure to allow experienced staff to test out of the DSP curriculum
while it was being phased in. The APL is now offered on a case-by-case
basis to individuals who qualify within the following special
circumstances:
- You meet the criteria to take the APL (HS
Diploma/GED and 2 years direct care experience with adults with
MR); and
- you are re-entering the workforce after no
longer than 5 years (this includes working out of state); OR
you are a current certified BHP.
If you believe you qualify to take the Special
Circumstances APL, please complete the Special Circumstances
APL Application form that Instructors may download at BHSI.net.
If you are not an Instructor, you may email egurney@bhsi.net
and request an application. Applications must be submitted to
egurney@bhsi.net
and they will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Testing will
be scheduled as-needed.
The APL test consists of 101 multiple choice questions
that cover the same material that is covered in the DSP curriculum.
Individuals need to achieve an 80% on a module in order to pass.
If all the modules are passed, BHSI issues a DSP certificate to
the individual. The certificate fulfills the same requirements
as the DSP certificate. Any modules not passed on the APL must
be completed at a training provided by a DSP certified Instructor.
Upon completion of any missed modules (Instructors must report
these modules to BHSI) the individual will receive a certificate.
How did the DSP training come about?
In 2000 the Maine Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) began collaborating with the BHSI to develop and
implement a statewide curriculum for DSP’s in adult mental
retardation and developmental disabilities services. This work
was guided by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives
of DHHS, providers, families, and the Consumer Advisory Board.
Speaking Up for Us also reviewed drafts of the curriculum. The
Steering Committee continues to meet on a regular basis to review
the implementation of the Curriculum as well as assessing its
content to ensure that it meets the needs of the consumers, and
reflects the most up to date practices in the field. Curriculum
modules are regularly reviewed and revised by BHSI with feedback
from Instructors and other professionals.
The curriculum is being implemented in all three
regions of Maine. Over 100 individuals are certified as DSP Instructors,
offering training across the state. While it is anticipated that
a requirement will be set in place in December, 2007, as of September,
2007 the specific regulations have not yet been put in place.
How does someone access the DSP training?
- Instructors are expected to incorporate this
curriculum into the training schedule for new employees at Agency’s.
- Larger agencies are strongly encouraged to
make training available to smaller agencies and independent
providers in their geographic area.
- Agencies may collaborate to provide training.
- Agencies or individuals providing the training
may charge a reasonable fee to cover their costs.
- Instructors must notify BHSI at least 30
days prior to the start of a training series, and
the public may access the schedule at http://www.bhsi.net/departments/DHHS/DSP/training/calendar.php.
I am a small provider. Where can my
employees take this training, and how much will it cost?
Training schedules are available online at http://www.bhsi.net/departments/DHHS/DSP/training/calendar.php.
At this location, you may view dates, times, the City/Town as
well as contact information if you are interested in enrolling
in the training. The cost for taking the entire course or individual
modules is set by the Instructor or Agency offering the training.
I'm an experienced Instructor, but
there are other people in our agency who have more expertise in
some topics. Can they teach some of the modules? Do they have
to go to an Instructor training course?
If you become a certified Instructor you may use
other Instructors or people with specific expertise in an area
for some modules. These other Instructors do not have to take
the Train-the-Trainer course, but they are expected to train all
the material contained within each module they teach. The agency
Instructor is responsible for what and how they teach, and for
ensuring the quality of the training.
Our agency already has a training
program that includes many of the topics in this curriculum. Can
we have our current training program approved as being equivalent
to the new curriculum?
Equivalent curricula could still vary significantly,
and thus would defeat the goal of a consistent statewide curriculum.
If you hire employees who have been trained in the DSP at another
Agency, you should be confident that their training was based
on the same curriculum. Therefore, existing curricula will not
be approved as equivalent.
Equivalent curricula is not approved,
but what about the Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS)?
The MHSS curricula is the exception to the rule.
Any individual completing training in the DSP or the MHSS Curricula
on or after October 1, 2006 will receive credit for the following
modules on a reciprocal basis: Documentation (Module 8 of the
DSP); Confidentiality (Module 3 of the DSP); and Sexuality (Module
11 of the DSP).
This reciprocity applies equally to individuals who have completed
the APL, the DSP Curriculum, or a combination of the two. Validation
of completion of the APL Testing, the DSP Curriculum, or the MHSS
Curriculum will require the student requesting credit to provide
either a copy or an original of the certificate received upon
completion of their training. For individuals seeking credit from
their MHSS completion to be applied to the DSP certification,
BHSI requires the individual to complete the MHSS
Equivalency form and submit it to BHSI along with
a copy of their MHSS certificate.
Our agency covers some topics more
extensively than the new curriculum does. Do we have to cut back
on those topics?
No. The new curriculum establishes a basic foundation
of knowledge and skills. You may not subtract from the curriculum,
but you may provide additional training on any or all topics.
What are the qualifications to become
a DSP Instructor?
BHSI is currently not providing any Train-the-Trainer
courses. Individuals wishing to become certified as a DSP Instructor
may contact BHSI regarding the Provisional Instructor certification
process. The education and experience requirements to be a DSP
Instructor are:
- a high school diploma/GED and a resume noting
5 years of direct care experience in adult mental retardation
services OR an associate’s degree in the human services
field and a resume noting 2 years of direct care experience
in adult mental retardation services;
- a resume/letter detailing 2 years of experience
training adult learners OR copies of training evaluations;
- a current letter of reference; and
- successful completion of either the APL or
the in-class DSP Training.
To become a Provisional Instructor, the above
requirements must be met and given the lack of availability of
a Train-the-Trainer experience, the applicant must be co-teach
all 14 modules with a DSP certified Senior or Professional Instructor.
To receive a complete Provisional Instructor Application
email egurney@bhsi.net.
What arrangements have been made for
DHHS staff?
Non-clerical Regional and Central office staff
in Adult Developmental Services (ADS) are expected to participate
in the training or the APL. Timeframes for implementation of training
for ADS Services staff will be determined by each office, and
ADS staff may obtain training from any source that is available.
What arrangements have been made for
DHHS staff?
Non-clerical Regional and Central office staff
in Mental Retardation Services are expected to participate in
the training or the APL. Timeframes for implementation of training
for MR Services staff will be determined by each office, and MR
Services staff may obtain training from any source that is available.
What arrangements have been made for
family members?
Family members who are paid to provide services
under the Maine Care Waiver are expected to participate in the
DSP. Family members may obtain training from any BHSI certified
source that is available.
What arrangements have been made for
independent providers (sole proprietors)?
Sole proprietors and their staff are expected
to participate in the DSP. Timeframes for implementation of training
for sole proprietors and any staff employed by them will be negotiated
on an individual basis with regional DHHS staff. Sole proprietors
may obtain training from any BHSI certified source that is available.
What does the Curriculum consist of?
The Curriculum was designed to establish a consistent,
statewide foundation of knowledge and skills that would be portable
across the entire state for all DSP workers. The certification
process also allows workers to change jobs without the need for
repeated training, as well as ensuring agencies that newly hired
personnel have received a foundation of knowledge that prepares
them for work as a Direct Support Professional.
While the DSP Curriculum was initially phased
in during 2002-2003, there are courses available now across the
entire state and the Curriculum has, in many agencies, become
an integral part of the Orientation process for new employees.
The entire curriculum requires 45 classroom hours and covers the
following 14 modules: |
