title: Training needs of direct support staff.
abstract: Training needs and current status of training for direct support staff were identified in one southeastern state. Data sources were (a) direct support staff, (b) administrators of direct support staff, and (c) consumers with developmental disabilities. Stratified sampling was used to gather data from 108 administrators and 170 direct support staff utilizing mail surveys and from 179 focus group participants (56 administrators, 53 direct support staff, and 70 consumers). Findings suggest that direct support staff recognized the needs (a) for additional training on Community Support Skill Standards; (b) to develop a comprehensive, cost-efficient statewide system for training direct support staff; and (c) to develop the role of direct support staff into a valued profession.
authors.affiliation: College of Education, Special Education Program, 9201, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. dwtest@email.uncc.edu
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Test
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flowers
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solow
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D000078329:Workforce