PATHS Program Specifics
Creating a Highly Skilled Workforce Encouraging People with Disabilities to Lead Self Directed Lives
Program Outcomes Based on:
- The NADSP Code of Ethics
- The Community Support Skill Standards
- Aligned with National Apprenticeship Standards
- Minnesota Frontline Supervisor Competency and Performance Indicators
PATHS Guiding Principles
- Voluntary
- Affordable
- Doable
- Proactive support for candidate development
- Effective & responsive educational approaches
- Portable
- Competency based
- Inclusive
- Incorporates evaluation criteria
- Relates to regulatory system
- Anchored in business principles
- Involves key stakeholders
The Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of examples of job related work that is performed by the DSP developing the portfolio. The portfolio author selects these examples from his or her work and collects them into an organized body of material (the portfolio) to demonstrate expertise in the work they do. It is a collection of the DSP’s best work in their field in order to show the finest examples of his or her skills. The PATHS Credential program uses a portfolio process as the main way of evaluating whether a PATHS candidate is sufficiently prepared to receive either the Certificate of Initial Proficiency in Direct Support, or the Certificate of Advanced Proficiency in Direct Support.
The portfolio is:
- A collection of materials that demonstrate the DSP’s mastery of essential skills
- A collection of the DSP’s evidence of fulfillment of the PATHS credential requirements
The Skill Mentor
- Assists candidate to transfer knowledge from the classes to the work place.
- Advises the candidate in constructing the portfolio.
- Meets with the candidate regularly during the course of the year to ensure successful completion of program.
- Helps the candidate stay on track by setting short term goals.
- Supports the candidate in the development of his or her own ideas.
- Assists the candidate to demonstrate the acquisition of essential skills