Foundations of Direct Support Practitioners (Train the Trainer)

As your leading-edge organization well knows, Keystone Institute India has been working to develop a set of 14 modules in three phases meant to provide a high-quality direct support preparation program. It is intended for promising supervisors as well as direct workers in special schools, vocational programs, recreational programs, day centers, and residential programs. This train-the-trainer course will happen over two face-to-face sessions and is offered only to specific organizations at this time.

Historically, supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful lives with informed choices has not always been honored. Direct service staff were often expected to be passive caretakers since people with disabilities were mostly not seen beyond their disability. Their disability defined their lives. We are introducing a comprehensive training course intended to change these traditional ways of thinking and to create highly competent and sensitive direct support professionals who can support people with disabilities to lead full, meaningful lives. Creating a valued and respected workforce of professionals who provide vital, complex, and very personal services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this training takes the first step toward stimulating recognition of direct support work as a professional occupation – a profession that those with the interest and commitment to work alongside people can aspire to.

Grounded on principles of person-centered approaches and Social Role Valorization, the training seeks to develop a cadre of Direct Support Practitioners (DSP) who support and empower people with disabilities to lead rich, valued, and independent lives.

Date: August 4-7, 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm IST
Venue: In-person (location TBD)
Collaborating Partners: Rural India Supporting Trust
Lead faculty: Elizabeth “Betsy” Neuville, Geeta Mondol, Leela Raj
Language: English
Capacity: 30
Pre-Requisites: Invitation only
Registration Contact:  Prashansa Pandey, Program Leader, Events and Workshops, [email protected]