Trainings and Professional Development

Trainings and Professional Development

The Arc of Dutchess offers a variety of in-house trainings to new and veteran staff.  These trainings consist of mandatory training as required by New York State and OPWDD but also include voluntary trainings to further your professional development.

Some of the trainings offered are:

  • CPR/First Aid
  • Choking Prevention
  • Nutrition
  • Medication Administration
  • Safety and Ergonomics
  • Corporate Compliance/HIPAA

While our primary focus is on in-house training we appreciate and acknowledge the distinct value of attending off-site trainings which provide new perspectives, new information, best practices and professional growth opportunities for our employees.  As a result we encourage participation in all training opportunities whether on or off site.

In 2015 some of the offerings included:

  • National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky
  • Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri
  • NYSACRA Conference held in Bolton Landing, NY

2016 Opportunities

NYSACRA Conference, April 19 – 22, Bolton Landing, NY

Keynote address

Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). She serves as the deputy adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Education on matters related to the education of children and youth with disabilities, as well as employment and community living for youth and adults with disabilities. Swenson served a previous administration as the Commissioner for Developmental Disabilities in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to OSERS, Swenson also served as CEO of The Arc of the United States and Executive Director of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.

Conference Topics will include: 

  • Administrative/Executive/Finance
  • Aging
  • Assistive Technology
  • Autism
  • Behavioral Supports
  • CQL
  • Children’s Services/Supports
  • Community Options
  • DSP Core Competencies
  • DSP Credentialing
  • Employment
  • Forensic/Complex Populations
  • Health & Wellness
  • Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Mergers & Collaborations
  • Self- Direction
  • Technology
  • Workforce

Cheryl Dougan and Roy Gerstenberger – a session moderated by John Raffaele

  • Cheryl Dougan, parent of a young man with I/DD from Pennsylvania who will share her family’s story and her thoughts on the need for improving the knowledge and skills of the direct support workforce in the arena of self-direction and the stability needed to provide supports to individuals in the community. You will be inspired and educated!
  • Roy Gerstenberger, currently the Director at the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. Prior to working in Vermont, Roy spent many years as the Executive Director of not for profit agency in central New Hampshire that uses person-centered principles in direct support practice. Will share strategies for training and on-boarding DSPs in organizations. Innovative and exciting!

Please contact your Supervisor if you are interested in attending. Based on the number of interested staff and associated costs, The Arc of Dutchess will determine attendance at this conference.