Wisconsin Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health (IDD-MH) System Improvement: Direct Care Worker Training
The Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement Direct Care Worker Training Subcommittee is working on recommendation 5.7. It aims to expand the DHS Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) training program to include modules related to IDD-MH. Check out the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement Report, Recommendation 5.7 (PDF), for all the background information about this recommendation.
Status—in progress
This recommendation is in progress! Here's what to know:
Who's working on it?
- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- Members of the Community of Practice
Who will benefit and how?
People who provide direct care to people with IDD-MH needs will have access to free training. This includes family members and paid caregivers. Training topics will cover:
- An overview of various IDD and mental health disorders
- Strategies for effective communication and crisis prevention
- How mental health disorders present in people with developmental disabilities
- Medical diagnoses and health conditions connected to IDD and how they affect mood and behavior
When will it be done?
July 2026
What is the goal?
People who work in the homes of people with IDD-MH needs would benefit from specific training. The CDCP program could add this type of training. It could be free and result in more pay.
Key milestones
- Training topics chosen (late 2024)—The DHS team created course content based on the needs of the community identified in the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement Report, page 68 (PDF).
- UW-Green Bay begins creating training (January 2025)—UW-Green Bay created the original CDCP training program. They used their expertise to begin creating a series of training modules with information specific to people with IDD-MH needs.
- Draft of adult-related training complete (November 2025)—UW-Green Bay finished drafting the training modules with information specific to adults with IDD-MH needs.
- Review of adult-related training complete (December 2025)—The subcommittee completed their review of the adult modules.
- UW-Green Bay begins work on child-related training (January 2026)—UW-Green Bay delivered the first two draft modules with information specific to children with IDD-MH needs. The subcommittee will review training modules every week as they receive them.
Ways to get involved
There will be opportunities for members of the Community of Practice to offer feedback on the training modules once they're created. DHS will send an email with more information. Make sure to sign up to get email notices!