§ 18A:64A-85 — Direct Support Professional Career Development Pathway created, special attention to people with disabilities.

4. In collaboration with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services and entities focused on promoting the self-determination and full participation of people with disabilities, the Center of Workforce Innovation, and each additional program site, shall implement a competency-based Direct Support Professional Career Development Pathway, in alignment with the Money Follows the Person Direct Support Professional Capacity Building effort, and develop curriculum specific to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, including a certificate, associate's degree, and bachelor's degree. The Career Development Pathway shall assist individuals employed as a direct support professional increase their skills, achieve competency in the field, and as part of the certificate program, earn fully transferable course credit applicable toward an associate's degree in a human service or relevant healthcare field at any county college. It shall be the purpose of the Career Development Pathway to improve the recruitment, competence, and retention of the direct support professionals workforce. L.2021, c.421, s.4.