Thank you for partnering with NextGen Synergy (NGS) through DSP Nexus: Beyond Support to invest in the growth and advancement of your DSP workforce. Funded by the Maryland Department of Labor, DSP Nexus is a workforce development initiative designed to strengthen and professionalize the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce by expanding access to high-quality training, skill recognition, and career advancement opportunities for DSPs supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and co-occurring mental health needs.

DSP Nexus is built on a shared commitment among participating provider agencies and program partners to:

• Increase training and credentialing opportunities for DSPs
• Build capacity for trauma-informed, person-centered, and mental health-responsive support
• Recognize DSP skill and leadership through structured learning pathways and completion milestones
• Support retention and career growth by making professional development accessible and sustainable

By partnering with DSP Nexus, provider agencies invest directly in their DSP workforce. Agencies nominate eligible DSPs and work with the DSP Nexus team to support participation, coordinate program activities, and provide reporting information that demonstrates impact and informs continuous improvement.

All benefits are provided at no cost to participants and provider agencies:

1) National DSP Certification from the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD-DSP Certification)

2) Trauma-Informed Care Training with Dr. Karyn Harvey, a nationally recognized expert in trauma and IDD

3) Mental Health First Aid® certification

4) Project ECHO® case-based learning — collaborative sessions where DSPs work through real cases with experts and peers

5) Coach Approach Training™ with Dr. Monica McCall

Training and consultation to:

1) Develop cost-effective, person-centered recruitment and retention strategies that respond to workforce shortages

2) Increase staff job satisfaction

3) Enhance service quality for the people they support

1) Program Training Access

• The DSP Nexus Program Team will provide learners access to training components, which may blend live sessions (virtual and/or in-person), self-paced online learning, and periodic assignments or participation requirements.

2) Learning Materials and Facilitation

• The Program Team will provide written and online learning materials, training facilitation, guidance on completion expectations, and communication regarding schedules, participation requirements, and learner support resources.

3) Participation Tracking and Outcome Reporting

The Program Team will track participation and completion indicators (e.g., attendance, learning milestones, assessments where applicable) and will share completion status and outcomes with learners and participating provider agencies as appropriate.

The Program Team will provide clear timelines for documentation required from provider agencies and will coordinate collection of information needed for grant and program reporting.

1) Training Participation

Direct Support Professional (DSP) learners are expected to attend all scheduled training sessions and actively engage in the learning process. This includes collaborating with peers and contributing ideas during group activities, fostering a supportive and interactive environment throughout the training.

2) Completion of Program Requirements

DSP learners must complete all required assignments, assessments, and reflective exercises to demonstrate competency and achieve program milestones.

3) Time Commitment

DSP learners will dedicate approximately 2-4 hours per week to training activities during the 6-week cohort program. Consistent participation and time investment are critical for successful completion and skill development.

4) Required Training Components for DSPs

Complete the six-week, cohort-based training program — 2-4 hours per week

Attend the virtual Mental Health First Aid® training — 8.5 hours (2 hours of self-paced pre-work; 6.5-hour one-day live virtual session).

• Attend the in-person trauma-informed care training — 8 hours over one or two days (online option available for non-local providers).
• Optional: Participate in the virtual Coach Approach™ training — 12 hours over four days.

• At least one member of the provider agency's leadership team will attend two 3-hour training sessions with Capital Services Inc. and NGS on equitable, cost-effective recruitment, hiring, and retention practices.

• Provider agencies will identify and nominate at least 3 eligible DSPs to participate in the DSP Nexus training program.
• Provider agencies will support nominated DSPs in understanding program expectations, including training schedules and weekly time commitments.
• Provider agencies will help ensure DSP learners can fully participate in required learning activities, including live sessions (virtual/in-person) and online modules and assignments.

• Provider agencies will ensure DSP learners have access to the necessary equipment to complete online learning components (a laptop is best; a fully functional tablet may be acceptable; cell phones are not suitable for most coursework).
• Provider agencies will provide or coordinate basic technical support as needed (e.g., login help, device access, connectivity support) to reduce barriers to participation.

Provider agencies will identify a primary point of contact (POC) to coordinate:

• learner nomination/participation questions
• scheduling barriers or staffing conflicts
• internal reminders and support for learner completion

Provider agencies will promptly communicate foreseeable issues impacting learner participation (e.g., leave, schedule changes, staff transitions) to support continuity and completion.

Provider agencies must submit required forms and information by DSP Nexus deadlines for timely program reporting. Reports include:

• Baseline survey with employment metrics (6-month recruitment and retention rates, number of people served, and number of DSPs recruited/employed)
• Post-project survey with updated metrics
• Satisfaction surveys
• Optional satisfaction interviews

All data will remain confidential and anonymous and will be used only for Maryland Department of Labor grant reports, with provider agency consent.

Provider agencies are strongly encouraged to recognize DSP learners' professional growth and completion (e.g., internal recognition, mentorship/leadership opportunities, career-pathway alignment) to reinforce retention and advancement goals.

Recruitment for DSP Nexus follows the five steps below, from the signed partner agreement through registration in the NADD Learning Management System (LMS).

• NextGen Synergy (NGS) sends a provider agency agreement to the partnering provider agency.
• The provider agency signs the agreement.
• The provider agency selects a primary point of contact (POC) for program communications.

• NGS sends a link to the DSP Nexus Nomination Form to the point of contact at each participating provider agency.
• Provider agencies request supervisors to nominate Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by submitting the nomination form.
• Section 2 of the nomination form acts as the supervisor's letter of recommendation for the nominated DSP. A copy of the PDF form will be sent to the supervisor and the DSP, and retained by NGS.

• NGS emails each nominated DSP a link to the Nexus Application Form. The supervisor who submitted the nomination will be copied on the email.
• Each DSP applicant completes the DSP Nexus application.
• DSPs upload a letter of recommendation from a person served or from that person's family member, representative, or case manager. NGS will provide a template letter of recommendation form that DSPs may choose to use. A copy of the PDF form will be sent to the DSP and retained by NGS.

• NGS selects 150 qualified DSP participants.
• Selected DSPs sign and return the DSP Learner Agreement.
• NGS will notify each agency's Organization Lead of its selected candidates, and the Organization Lead will ensure selected DSPs can access the DSP Nexus Learning Hub.

NGS compiles information for each participating provider agency (organization membership, lead contact, and selected participants) and sends it to NADD in spreadsheet format.

NADD works with the agency POC to register the selected DSP participants into the NADD Learning Management System (LMS) to complete individual profiles and applications.

I, _________________________________ [Representative, Provider Agency], have read and understand the Roles and Responsibilities outlined above and agree with the objectives and goals of DSP Nexus: Beyond Support Initiative.