About PATHS Credentialing
The PATHS Credentialing program is an educational program geared toward direct support professionals working with individuals who have disabilities. PATHS has developed and implemented a high quality curriculum aligned with The Community Support Skill Standards. The program offers sequential credentials which teach, reinforce and build upon the essential skills of a highly qualified direct support professional.
Certificate of Initial Proficiency
The Certificate of Initial Proficiency (CIP), the first level of the program, involves 60 hours of instruction and the completion of a portfolio, in which the direct support professional demonstrates the acquisition of essential skills.
Class topics at the CIP credential level include:
- Ethics,
- Communication,
- Documentation,
- Facilitation Of Services,
- Organizational Participation,
- Advocacy, and
- Community Living Skills And Supports
Certificate of Advanced Proficiency
The Certificate of Advanced Proficiency (CAP), for staff who have earned the CIP, involves 116 hours of instruction and additional portfolio demonstration of skill.
Class topics at the CAP credential level build upon the skills obtained at the CIP level and include:
- Facilitation Of Services,
- Organizational Participation,
- Advocacy,
- Community Living Skills And Supports,
- Community & Service Networking,
- Crisis Intervention and Prevention,
- Participant Empowerment,
- Education/ Self Development,
- Vocational, Educational and Career Support, and
- Assessment
Certificates of Specialized Skill and Knowledge
The seven Certificates of Specialized Skill and Knowledge are currently being designed to offer CAP graduates the opportunity of specializing in any or all specialization areas, which will include:
- Behavioral Supports,
- Traumatic Brain Injury,
- Issues of Aging and Developmental Disabilities,
- Supervision and Management,
- PATHS Instructor,
- Dual Diagnosis,
- Employment Supports
- Autism Spectrum Disorders, and
- Communication.
The lives of people with disabilities and their families are immeasurably improved when they have access to highly skilled, ethical and responsive supporters. The PATHS program has been carefully designed to assist the direct support professional in becoming a proficient leader in high quality direct support practice.
Ohio PATHS - Winner of the 2004 Moving Mountains Award
A Best Practices Award for Excellence in Direct Support Empowerment and Career Development.