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Home and Direct Care Specialist – Level 3

Who Should Attend:

This FREE course is for direct care workers wishing to expand their skills in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The 6-hour virtual training builds on basic caregiving knowledge to develop expertise in person-centered approaches to housekeeping, meal planning, and nutrition. These classes emphasize the technical aspects of IADL support and the interpersonal skills needed to provide this assistance in a way that respects the independence and preferences of those receiving services and support. Through interactive sessions with qualified trainers, participants will develop both the technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required for success in the direct care field.

Course Structure

Program Format

  • Six live, instructor-led, virtual classes. See Class Descriptions.
  • One hour per class, totaling a six-hour training program.
  • Flexible, self-scheduling class offerings to fit your availability.
  • No class prerequisites – you can take Level 3 without completing Levels 1 and 2 beforehand.

Certificate

  • Upon successful completion of all six classes, you’ll earn your certificate as a “Home and Direct Care Specialist“.

 

 

Admission Criteria

  • Online Registration Form
  • Age of 16 years or greater.
  • Eligible to work in the United States.
  • Access to computer and internet for virtual training.

 

  • We would like to advise interested participants that:
    • NO high school diploma or equivalency is required.
    • While we do not require proof of English language proficiency, all programming is currently offered only in English, including written materials.

Flexible Scheduling

Our courses are designed to accommodate the busy and varying schedules of direct care workers. You can complete any program level at your own pace, choosing class times that fit your availability. While we recommend taking classes in sequence for the best learning experience, you have the flexibility to take them in a different order if needed. To earn certification for any program level, you’ll need to complete all required classes within that level.

Don’t worry if you can’t finish all your classes at once – you can pause your training and resume whenever you’re ready. We also welcome students who want to take individual classes, whether for a skills refresher or to focus on specific topics. The choice is yours: work toward full certification or enhance your skills one class at a time.

Class Descriptions

Class 301: Home Skills- Person-Centered Approaches

IMPART Alliance direct care worker courses include the application of person-centered thinking to all direct care work. This course introduces supporting an individual with housekeeping in a person-centered way. In this class, students will discuss the influence of power dynamics between the direct care worker and person on the delivery of home skills, including how to build trust and understanding why someone may resist assistance with home skills.

Class 302: General Cleaning Strategies

Direct care workers support older adults and people with disabilities with keeping a clean home. In this class, students will set priorities for cleaning, review general cleaning principles, and learn methods for effective, hygienic, and practical cleaning as a direct care worker.

Class 303: Cleaning Challenges

While supporting individuals with keeping a clean home, direct care workers may encounter challenges. In this class, students will address providing person-centered cleaning assistance to someone with a pet, clutter, or at risk for falls. This class will also review the best practices for assisting someone with their laundry.

Class 304: Meal Planning for Nutrition

Direct care workers assist older adults and people with disabilities with meals. Meal planning is a key step direct care workers take to support individuals with accessing a diet that meets their personal and nutritional needs. In this class, students will learn factors influencing the nutritional status and healthy eating habits of older adults and describe meal planning strategies applicable to the direct care worker role.

Class 305: Shopping Strategies

Direct care workers support individuals by assisting with grocery shopping. This may include going shopping on someone’s behalf or assisting them to go shopping in their community. In this class, direct care worker students will learn about planning a shopping trip, interpreting food labels, and strategies for selecting and purchasing groceries for the person they are assisting.

Class 306: Meal Preparation

Preparing and cooking meals is an essential part of home life for everyone, including individuals who use the assistance of a direct care worker. In this class, direct care workers will practice discussing the preferences of the person they support, select recipes, and manage their time and tasks while preparing a meal.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Courses are designed with DCWs of all types in mind. Our curriculum covers information DCWs need in every setting working with adults.

Yes. DCWs with any type of previous training, credentials, or experience are welcome in the course. Our trainings are designed with stackable certificates, with the opportunity to select only the certification(s) of interest. For example, CNAs without training or experience in the instrumental activities of daily living might wish to take the level 3 courses.

Right now, all of our training programs are covered under our generous grant funding administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; one through FY23 General Funds and one through American Rescue Plan Act/Home and Community Based Services Spending Plan funds. In the future, we intend to use a fee-for-service model for students to enroll in our training courses

DCW turnover is a challenge for employers and the field. DCWs frequently cite inadequate training as a source of dissatisfaction. Similarly, unsupportive employers are a large motivator of intention to leave. Employers can offer training to their employees to fill this need and demonstrate support for their employees to accomplish their professional goals and increase confidence in the workplace. Additionally, training contributes to professional development opportunities and a workplace culture that is based on collaboration, skill-building, and quality.

IMPART Alliance recognizes the impact engaged employers have on training outcomes. Interested employers can support their employees by signing up for classes offered by IMPART Alliance or by encouraging an expert DCW from their organization to complete our Train-the-Trainer course. If you would like to learn more about our training offerings, please email us at training.IMPART@msu.edu

 


Funding: This project is supported by grants to MSU IMPART Alliance, administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; one through FY23 General Funds and one through American Rescue Plan Act/Home and Community Based Services Spending Plan funds.