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QUESTION: Does anyone have a career pathing for DSPs? What does the mapping for the career pathing look like? If you have career pathing for DSPs, are you willing to share? Additionally, do you have a next level system in place, as in DSP 1, 2, 3, etc.? We provide a DSP college in which those that are chosen complete additional courses and receive a bonus for doing so. We also highly encourage DSP’s to move into supervisor roles. We have DSP I, DSP II, and DSP III. Entry level is DSP I with 3 levels within it to advance in pay. DSP II is earned once an employee has completed the NADSP certification course and again there are 3 levels within it. DSP III is earned only through time and grandfathered employees when the levels were created. DSP's must be in the job at least 10 years to be considered for a DSP III level... and again there are 3 levels within it. We currently have begun a succession plan to go from DSP to a Site Manager position in Residential. This is a 3 month program in which they do extra training, learn some roles of a site manager, meet with HR on policy and procedures, meet with the Q on a weekly basis. We are still in the beginning stages. The regional managers are putting together a proposal on this subject to review with the leadership team. We are in the beginning stages of this work. We should have a package in the next 60 days. Currently we have only one category of DSPs, but are exploring other options we might have. Our agency does not have anything in place, but we probably will at some point in the future. This information is a compilation of suggestions, ideas, and opinions shared by INARF Members in response to the featured question. This information should not be considered official interpretation or guidance of State or Federal Policy. Additionally, statements within this document do not necessarily reflect an official position or opinion of INARF.