NJ Human Services Moves to Enhance Direct Support Professional Services to Serve Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Co-Occurring Mental Health Needs

August 27, 2024

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Human Services is moving to enhance direct support professional services that serve individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs.

The Department has issued a request for proposals for provider agencies interested in having their direct support professionals (DSPs) obtain the National Association of the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) Competency-Based IDD/MI Dual Diagnosis Direct Support Professional Certification.

DSPs work with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to help those individuals achieve their personal goals. The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) oversees the coordination and delivery of publicly funded home and community-based services in New Jersey for about 26,500 adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Per 2023 DDD statistics, at least 3,500 of these individuals have a co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis.

“Direct Support Professionals provide vitally important support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may live full and healthy lives in their communities,” Commissioner Adelman said. “Governor Murphy’s Administration has invested significantly in this workforce by continually increasing wages to reflect the value and importance of their work, in turn improving recruitment and retention in the field. This opportunity is another important investment in this workforce and an important step to ensure DSPs are trained, equipped and qualified at the highest level to support individuals with IDD and co-occurring mental health needs. Becoming NADD Certified will be a source of pride for DSPs and a source of comfort and confidence for provider agencies and families.”

Under the plan, up to 3,000 DSPs will receive the NADD DSP Certification. Providers must have at least 10 percent of their eligible DSPs seek the professional certification, but can enroll all if they choose. Providers are encouraged to identify and enroll DSPs at programs or sites where they are supporting at least one individual with an intellectual and/or developmental disability and co-occurring mental health needs. The DDD intends to collect data throughout the course of this project to evaluate the program’s success.

“This certification will help validate and provide assurance to individuals, families, and employers that a DSP has met the standards for delivering services to individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs,” Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire said. “It adds another level of professionalization to the DSP career path, while enhancing the quality, efficacy, and consistency of service delivery for individuals. This is all about investing in DSPs and the quality of care for the individuals they serve.”

Under the $3 million plan, the state will allocate $1,000 per participating employee to successful bidders. Successful bidders may not use funds from this grant for any purpose other than NADD remittance and compensation of participating employees for the training and certification completion. Employee certification is the expected outcome.

For a more in-depth understanding of the NADD DSP Certification, view a video here entitled “Introduction to NADD Direct Support Professional Certification.”

“Direct support professionals make a tremendous difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” DDD Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Seifried said. “With this certification, we are helping ensure individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs are getting the best quality care to meet their needs.”