DSP Internship Program

The DSP Internship Program is a three-month training and internship program that provides standardized, new direct care workforce entry-level training and practical work experience. This program will focus outreach efforts on populations that reflect California’s diverse population and do not traditionally have a pathway towards jobs in the field of providing services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Read the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) flyer about DSP Internships for Service Providers here

The Program will provide 2,500 entry-level interns the opportunity to be paid for up to 30 hours per week for up to three months while learning high-quality DSP skills alongside a qualified DSP in a variety of settings performing a variety of functions. The recruitment of DSP Interns will focus on populations that reflect California’s diverse population and specifically those who do not traditionally have a pathway towards jobs in the field of providing services to individuals with I/DD. Through this Program, DSP Interns who become permanent DSP employees with a regional center service provider will earn a $625 (before taxes) retention stipend after six months of continuous employment and another $625 (before taxes) retention stipend after 12 months of continuous employment. All’s WELL Healthcare Services (All’s WELL) will serve as the Department’s contractor to recruit and train DSP Interns and serve as the employer of the DSP Intern while they are placed with a regional center service provider, learning the functions of a DSP alongside a qualified DSP. All’s WELL will recruit and interview potential DSP Interns, facilitate and pay for background checks, provide interactive trainings, and make recommendations for placement of DSP Interns with each service provider.  Read more about the program on the DDS Website at https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/workforce-initiatives/

Questions?  You can reach out to ELARC at DSPIntership@elarc.org or to DDS at Workforce@dds.ca.gov