Establishes the direct support professional credential pilot program

BILL NUMBER:S5102A

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the direct support professional credential pilot program

Purpose of the bill

The purpose of the bill is to establish a credential pilot program for the developmental disabilities sector direct support professionals to promote workforce recruitment and retention efforts and enhance competency in the field.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill creates the direct support professional credential pilot program. The pilot, to be administered by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), will assess how a state recognized accredited credential program will foster a direct support workforce that demonstrates competency of complex skills and ethical decision making which yields a healthy and safe service delivery system.

Section 2 of the bill establishes the effective date.

Justification

The main purpose of a credentialing program is to provide recognition for the competence and skills of the individual meeting the professional requirements of the program. Individuals who obtain a specific credential have received training in their field of expertise, thereby representing their trade with high quality and holding to a higher standard as a professional.

A recognized direct support professional credential in New York State's developmental disabilities field highlights the value of direct support, fosters the importance of the profession and continues to acknowledge the importance of a well trained front line workforce. Individuals who have received the training have demonstrated, firsthand, skills, competency and proficiency in carrying out their responsibilities as a direct support professional.

Clarence Sundram, former Special Advisor to Governor Cuomo on Vulnerable Persons, highlights the importance of "a strong, well trained and committed direct support staff' as one of "Four Pillars to the Safety Net" introduced in the April 2011 report "The Measure of a Society: Protection of Vulnerable Persons in Residential Facilities Against Abuse & Neglect". The first of the "Four Pillars" recognizes that the foundation of a strong, well trained and committed direct support staff is a "dependable, competent and caring core of direct support staff' (page 49). The report recommends that "each state agency adopt a Direct Support Professional credentialing program that certifies competency and professional ethical conduct" (page 71). The report further states "The credentialing program should be reinforced through compensation incentives and career pathways based on achievement. Recognizing that this effort cannot be accomplished immediately and will likely have cost implications, each state agency should develop a plan to accomplish this objective over the next two years working with the voluntary sector as well as the state labor unions and the Department of Civil Service" (page 72).

The establishment of a direct support professional credential pilot program will afford direct support professionals in the developmental disabilities sector the opportunity to obtain a credential in their field of expertise, enhance the skills and competencies of certain individuals and assess how the credential 1) promotes workforce recruitment efforts 2) advances the health and safety of the developmental disabilities service delivery system 3) enhances retention of skilled and passionately committed individuals in the field.

OPWDD shall produce a report detailing the progress of the pilot program related to the rate of recruitment and retention of direct support professionals participating in the pilot, the projected number of direct support professionals to be credentialed through the pilot, and how quality of supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities have been enhanced, measurably.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal impact

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one hundred and eighty days after it shall become law.