DSP University Graduates 2025 Class

Medina County Board of DD Partners with Medina County Career Center to Prepare Students for Meaningful Jobs

 The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD), in collaboration with the Medina County Career Center (MCCC) and the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP), proudly recognized the latest graduating class of the Direct Support Professional University (DSP-U) program on Thursday, April 17. Held at the Career Center, the ceremony honored students who have completed a rigorous and nationally recognized training program designed to prepare them for meaningful careers supporting individuals with developmental differences.

“This group of students has shown a remarkable commitment to making a real difference in the lives of others. Their dedication and compassion give me great hope for the future of direct support services in our community,” said Stacey Maleckar, Superintendent of MCBDD. “The demand for skilled, compassionate professionals in this field has never been greater. Programs like DSP-U are essential to building a strong, prepared workforce ready to support people with disabilities in achieving their goals.”

DSP-U introduces students to a high-demand, high-impact career path. Through the program, students gain hands-on experience, classroom instruction, and the opportunity to earn the Certificate of Initial Proficiency (CIP). This credential allows graduates to immediately step into roles as direct support professionals, a field projected to see continued growth in the coming years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor

The program also benefits local service providers by connecting them with a talent pool of already-trained and credentialed professionals. Internship partnerships with several local organizations offer students real-world experience while helping to fill critical workforce gaps in the county. The success of DSP-U in Medina County underscores the importance of community collaboration and innovation in addressing workforce challenges in the disability services field.

“Watching these students grow, not just in their skills but in their passion for this work, has been incredibly rewarding,” said Pam Wheeler, MCBDD Health Services Coordinator and the driving force behind DSP-U’s launch in Medina County. “This program is changing lives—not just for the students, but for the individuals they’ll go on to support.”