DRYDEN, NY (607NewsNow) – On December 6th, Tompkins Cortland Community College, in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the State University of New York (SUNY), recognized 15 students who completed SUNY’s Microcredential Program through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).

Supported through over $50 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the SUNY DSP Microcredential Program aims to assist direct support staff already working in the profession and those new to the developmental disabilities field in earning college credits that meet requirements for certification from The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. Students are able to secure national certification and college credit toward a certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree.

NYS OPWDD Acting Commissioner Willow Baer praised the program:

“Since forming this partnership with SUNY and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals nearly two years ago, the number of SUNY campuses who are joining this effort to prepare the next generation of direct support professionals is both inspiring and energizing for people in the developmental disabilities field. OPWDD is committed to this initiative that creates a true professional career path for direct support and together with NADSP and SUNY, we have sparked a national movement with New York State’s highly skilled DSPs leading the way.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. commended the program’s impact:

“SUNY is proud of our role as an engine of upward mobility for New York State. Across participating SUNY campuses, demand for the Direct Support Professional Microcredential Program is increasing, and I’m honored to recognize the 15 students enrolled in Tompkins Cortland Community College’s DSP program. We look forward to growing this crucial program across the state.”

Tompkins Cortland Community College President Dr. Amy Kremenek emphasized the importance of DSPs:

“Direct support professionals are essential to caring for one of our most vulnerable populations. The dedicated employees who serve as DSP’s are to be commended for their dedication to the well-being of others and their commitment to professional excellence. With the support of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, SUNY, and the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, and working with our regional employer partners at the Unity House, Racker Center, and Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga, TC3 is proud to serve the educational needs of DSP’s and to support continued growth in their careers to the benefit of the entire community.”

NADSP President and CEO Joe Macbeth noted the program’s significance:

“The SUNY system seized an opportunity to build a pipeline for prospective direct support professionals to gain the complex knowledge needed to be an effective practitioner, while also offering incumbent direct support professionals an opportunity to earn a college degree. It’s this kind of leadership and innovation that our field needs to finally address the decades-long challenges facing the disability community. Tompkins Cortland Community College’s efforts are providing new opportunities that blend resources from higher education, state developmental disability offices, and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professional’s E-Badge Academy to provide national certification for the demonstration of direct support knowledge, skills, and values.”

This initiative builds on Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to strengthening the direct support workforce and addressing human services worker shortages in New York.