The OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) has  created a comprehensive training system for DDSD and provider agency staff. The training courses are not available to the general public.  Individuals receiving services and their families and other support persons as well as individuals on the waiting list and their families and support networks are welcome to enroll and attend training.  This quarterly training schedule is published to provide you with a comprehensive list of approved courses and conferences which meet the requirements for DDSD mandated training.

Availability of Training

DDSD works to ensure the availability of all courses. Three factors are taken into account - location, time of day, day of the week.

1. Location - DDSD attempts to schedule classes within a 60 mile driving radius for all participants. This allows participants to return home, avoiding overnight stays.
   
   Some courses, because of extraordinary equipment and practice requirements, are difficult to take “on-the-road.”  DDSD is committed to an ongoing review of these requirements in an effort to improve location availability.
2. Time of Day - A majority of courses are offered during the day (typical business hours) but several are offered at night and some on weekends.
3. Day of the Week - The majority of courses are offered Monday through Friday. A few courses are offered on weekends when requested.
   

If you have a need for a course to be provided at a different location, at a different time of day, or on a different day of the week, notify the appropriate training facility for that course. If unable to accommodate your request, this information will be provided by the training facility to the DDSD Director of Training as a method of identifying problems and to assist in ongoing planning efforts.

Cost
DDSD training courses are generally offered free of charge. On rare occasions, a unique course is offered as a courtesy and a small fee to cover the purchase costs for course manuals may be required. If a fee is required, this will be reflected in the quarterly schedule where the course and description are listed. DDSD sponsored conferences may require a registration fee. The registration fee will also be reflected in the quarterly schedule.

Mandated Training
The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) has established specific mandated training requirements for DDSD staff and staff of contract provider agencies.

These requirements follow:

• Foundation Training/ETL I - Basic courses required for all DDSD staff and provider agency staff;
• Job-Specific Training - Specific course requirements based upon the job classification of the staff;
• Specialized Training - Specific course requirements based upon the assessed needs of consumer in the areas of health/physical assistance and/or behavioral support; and
• Individual-Specific Training - An in-service training session by an appropriate professional or other person, specific to the unique needs of a particular consumer.

If you have general questions or suggestions about the schedule, please call Michaela Bishop at (405) 521-6264.  For enrollment information, contact the facility at the telephone number listed for that training session.