DSP Training Program
Presented by We Thrive Together | Led by Christopher Milo
This program is your opportunity to uplift, empower, and retain your Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by investing in their skills, well-being, and leadership.
Cost: $329 per person | Duration: 6 Months | Format: Virtual + Video-Based
Training Cohort Start Dates: May 2025, August 2025, November 2025
This comprehensive 6-month DSP (Direct Support Professional) Training Program is designed to equip individuals with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in their roles. With a combination of engaging video content and virtual meetings, this training will cover leadership, advocacy, personal growth, and mental health. Participants will receive access to a series of videos, monthly virtual follow-up meetings with Christopher Milo, and an opportunity to engage with peers in a fun and motivating environment.
The goal of this training is to ensure that every participant understands how valuable, needed, worthy, and appreciated they are. As DSPs, they play an essential role in improving the lives of others, and this program aims to reinforce their sense of purpose, self-worth, and importance in the workplace and beyond.
- Confidence in leadership and advocacy
- Tools to manage stress, burnout, and difficult topics
- Career readiness and personal development
- A supportive network of fellow DSPs
The program covers a wide range of topics to ensure well-rounded personal and professional development. These include:
- Leadership: Developing the qualities of a strong leader in any setting.
- Personal Advocacy: How to advocate for oneself and others in everyday life.
- Group Advocacy: Techniques for effectively advocating within a team or community.
- Humility: Emphasizing the importance of humility in professional and personal development.
- Workforce Readiness: Preparing for a successful career in a fast-changing work environment.
- Self-Care & Stress Management: Tools and strategies to reduce burnout and improve mental health.
- Technology in the Workplace: Harnessing technology to improve productivity and communication.
- Character Development: Building the values that lead to success and personal fulfillment.
- Tough Topics (Bullying, Suicide, Addiction): Training on how to approach sensitive issues in the workplace with care.
- The 13 Messages from Milo: A series of motivational and practical messages to inspire DSPs in their daily work.
- Training Videos: Each participant will receive access to the video series. These videos will be carefully crafted and contain practical, engaging content to reinforce the topics covered.
- Monthly Virtual Follow-Up Meetings: Participants get to join Christopher Milo for a monthly virtual mentoring meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and engage in discussions related to the training videos. They also serve as a motivational boost, helping to reinforce the program’s teachings.
- Interactive Learning: After each video, participants will be asked to complete a short quiz with a few questions to check their understanding and reinforce what they’ve learned. They will have 7 days to complete the video and quiz.
- Reminders & Notifications: Participants will receive timely reminders when the next training video is ready, helping them stay on track with their learning.
To motivate participants and create a sense of community, we will implement the following:
- Bi-Weekly Drawing for Gift Cards: Every other week, participants who complete the training video and quiz will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a gift card. The winners will also earn “bragging rights,” which will be shared during the virtual follow-up meetings to encourage healthy competition and morale-boosting camaraderie.
- Community Building: Participants will be part of an ongoing network of professionals who can share tips, experiences, and offer mutual support throughout the program.
| Month | Video Topic | Virtual Follow-Up Meeting (Encouraged/Not Required) |
| Month 1 | Leadership | Christopher Milo Introduction & Q&A |
| Personal Advocacy | Discussion on Advocacy Techniques | |
| Month 2 | Group Advocacy | Effective Group Collaboration |
| Humility | Leading with Humility in DSP | |
| Month 3 | Workforce Readiness | Preparing for Career Success |
| Self-Care & Stress Management | Coping with Work Stress | |
| Month 4 | Technology in the Workplace | Leveraging Tech to Support Your Role |
| Character Development | Building Your Character at Work | |
| Month 5 | Bullying, Suicide, and Addiction | Addressing Tough Topics with Care |
| The 13 Messages from Milo | Exploring the Messages | |
| Month 6 | Leadership & Personal Advocacy | Putting it All Together |
| Reflection & Certification | Recap & Future Growth Pathways |
- Cost per Participant: $329
This fee covers access to all training videos, monthly virtual meetings, quizzes, and participation in the gift card drawing. - Payment Structure:
- Full payment upfront.
- Bulk group discounts available (e.g., for organizations enrolling multiple DSPs). For groups of 25+ you will receive a reduced rate of $50.00 which is $279/person
- Flexible payment options may be offered upon request.
The DSP Epidemic: A Crisis Long Overlooked
For countless years, the field of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) has faced an ongoing epidemic—one that has been largely overlooked and underappreciated. DSPs are the backbone of support for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and others who rely on specialized care. Despite the critical role they play in improving lives, DSPs have often found themselves working in an environment where their contributions are undervalued, underpaid, and overburdened. This epidemic is not one of illness, but of systemic neglect and a lack of recognition for the vital work that DSPs do day in and day out.
The Struggles of DSPs: An Epidemic of Underappreciation
The DSP field has long struggled with high turnover rates, burnout, and low job satisfaction. Why? Because the very people tasked with taking care of others often don’t receive the care, support, or recognition they deserve. The work is emotionally and physically demanding, yet many DSPs feel isolated and unsupported in their roles. They deal with tough, often heartbreaking challenges—ranging from managing stress and burnout to addressing sensitive issues like bullying, addiction, and even suicide—all while navigating the challenges of a fast-paced and sometimes thankless job.
Moreover, DSPs are frequently undervalued in terms of compensation. Despite the importance of their work, many DSPs earn low wages, and there is little investment in their personal development, mental health, or leadership training. This leads to high turnover and an inability to build a skilled, confident workforce that can truly thrive in their roles.
The result? An ongoing cycle of attrition, stress, and burnout that impacts not just the DSPs themselves, but the individuals they support, the organizations they work for, and the broader community.
The Solution: Empowering DSPs Through Training and Support
This proposed 6 month DSP Training Program offers the solution to break this cycle. By providing comprehensive, engaging training that addresses both professional skills and personal well-being, this program empowers DSPs in a way that has never been done before. The program is designed to foster a deeper understanding of their value, worth, and impact in the workplace. It focuses not just on technical skills and leadership, but also on self-care, stress management, and mental health, all of which are critical to preventing burnout and improving job satisfaction.
Through monthly virtual meetings with Christopher Milo and training videos, DSPs will receive the tools and resources needed to overcome the challenges they face. These resources will help them develop leadership abilities, understand the importance of personal and group advocacy, and tackle tough topics like addiction, bullying, and mental health issues. Above all, this training will make DSPs feel appreciated, valued, and essential—because they are.
The bi-weekly drawings and motivational community aspects will also contribute to a sense of camaraderie and connection among DSPs. Knowing that their hard work is recognized and that they are not alone in their journey will help DSPs feel more empowered and supported in their roles.
A New Era for DSPs: Breaking the Cycle of Neglect
The DSP epidemic is a crisis that has gone far too long, but it doesn’t have to continue. The solution is simple: invest in the people who do the most challenging, important work. By empowering DSPs with the training, recognition, and support they deserve, we can help reduce turnover, prevent burnout, and ensure that they are well-equipped to provide the highest quality care to the individuals who depend on them.
This training program offers a new path forward—a path where DSPs are recognized for their indispensable contributions, feel valued and supported, and are given the tools they need to thrive in their roles. By addressing the underlying issues that have caused the DSP epidemic, we can finally break the cycle and create a more sustainable, fulfilling career path for those who are on the front lines of care.
This program is not just an investment in professional development; it’s an investment in the mental health, well-being, and future of DSPs. It’s time to end the epidemic of underappreciation and create a culture where DSPs are not just seen but truly valued for the essential work they do every day.
Program Overview
This comprehensive 6 month DSP (Direct Support Professional) Training Program is designed to equip individuals with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in their roles. With a combination of engaging video content and virtual meetings, this training will cover leadership, advocacy, personal growth, and mental health. Participants will receive access to a series of videos, monthly virtual follow-up meetings with Christopher Milo, and an opportunity to engage with peers in a fun and motivating environment.
The goal of this training is to ensure that every participant understands how valuable, needed, worthy, and appreciated they are. As DSPs, they play an essential role in improving the lives of others, and this program aims to reinforce their sense of purpose, self-worth, and importance in the workplace and beyond.
Training Topics
The program covers a wide range of topics to ensure well-rounded personal and professional development. These include:
- Leadership: Developing the qualities of a strong leader in any setting.
- Personal Advocacy: How to advocate for oneself and others in everyday life.
- Group Advocacy: Techniques for effectively advocating within a team or community.
- Humility: Emphasizing the importance of humility in professional and personal development.
- Workforce Readiness: Preparing for a successful career in a fast-changing work environment.
- Self-Care & Stress Management: Tools and strategies to reduce burnout and improve mental health.
- Technology in the Workplace: Harnessing technology to improve productivity and communication.
- Character Development: Building the values that lead to success and personal fulfillment.
- Tough Topics (Bullying, Suicide, Addiction): Training on how to approach sensitive issues in the workplace with care.
- The 13 Messages from Milo: A series of motivational and practical messages to inspire DSPs in their daily work.
Program Structure
- Training Videos
Each participant will receive access to the video series. The videos are carefully crafted and contain practical, engaging content to reinforce the topics covered. - Monthly Virtual Follow-Up Meetings
Participants will join Christopher Milo for a monthly virtual meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and engage in discussions related to the training videos. They also serve as a motivational boost, helping to reinforce the program’s teachings. - Interactive Learning
After each video, participants will be asked to complete a short quiz with a few questions to check their understanding and reinforce what they’ve learned. They will have 7 days to complete the video and quiz. - Reminders & Notifications
Participants will receive timely reminders when the next training video is ready, helping them stay on track with their learning.
Incentives & Engagement
To motivate participants and create a sense of community, we will implement the following:
- Bi-Weekly Drawing for Gift Cards
Every other week, participants who complete the training video and quiz will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a gift card. The winners will also earn “bragging rights,” which will be shared during the virtual follow-up meetings to encourage healthy competition and morale-boosting camaraderie. - Community Building
Participants will be part of an ongoing network of professionals who can share tips, experiences, and offer mutual support throughout the program.
Training Schedule
| Month | Video Topic | Virtual Follow-Up Meeting |
| Month 1 | Leadership | Christopher Milo Introduction & Q&A |
| Personal Advocacy | Discussion on Advocacy Techniques | |
| Month 2 | Group Advocacy | Effective Group Collaboration |
| Humility | Leading with Humility in DSP | |
| Month 3 | Workforce Readiness | Preparing for Career Success |
| Self-Care & Stress Management | Coping with Work Stress | |
| Month 4 | Technology in the Workplace | Leveraging Tech to Support Your Role |
| Character Development | Building Your Character at Work | |
| Month 5 | Bullying, Suicide, and Addiction | Addressing Tough Topics with Care |
| The 13 Messages from Milo | Exploring the Messages | |
| Month 6 | Leadership & Personal Advocacy | Putting it All Together |
| Reflection & Certification | Recap & Future Growth Pathways | |
Program Pricing
- Cost per Participant: $329
This fee covers access to all training videos, monthly virtual meetings, quizzes, and participation in the gift card drawing. - Payment Structure:
- Full payment upfront.
- Bulk group discounts available (e.g., for organizations enrolling multiple DSPs). For groups of 25+ you will receive a reduced rate of $50.00 which is $279/person
- Flexible payment options may be offered upon request.
Conclusion
This 6-month DSP Training Program is a structured yet engaging way for individuals to develop crucial professional skills and be supported in their growth. With the expertise of Christopher Milo guiding participants through leadership, personal advocacy, self-care, and tough issues such as bullying and addiction, DSPs will emerge more effective, compassionate, and well-prepared for the challenges they face in their work.
The program is built with a core goal: to ensure every participant understands their value, worth, and impact in the field of Direct Support. They will leave the training not only more skilled and confident but with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation for the critical role they play in the lives of those they serve.
This training offers both value and impact, ensuring that each participant walks away with not only new skills but also motivation, recognition, and the opportunity to connect with others in the field.
To secure your training, please contact:
Christopher Milo
We Thrive Together
Chief Engagement Officer
christopher@wethrivetogether.org
- How long is the program and when does it start?
The program lasts for six months and is structured to ensure consistent growth and learning throughout the year. The training is designed to be completed over 6 months, with training videos and monthly virtual follow-up meetings with Christopher Milo.
There will be multiple programs offered during the 2025-2026 season. A maximum of 100 DSP’s per county can register each quarter. For example, if you have 500 DSP’s in your county, only 100 can register per quarter. This means that within 1 year and 3 months, all DSP’s in your county will be able to take advantage of this training. For your convenience, we will start Module 1 every other month. Our training modules begin in May 2025. The program start dates are as follows:
May 2025
July 2025
September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
You will be notified when each new video is available to ensure you stay on track throughout the year.
If you miss a video, contact Christopher Milo at christopher@wethrivetogether.org and arrangements will be made for you to make up a session. You can miss up to 3 sessions during your training year before other arrangements are made.
- How much is it?
The cost of the program is $329 per participant for the entire year. This fee covers access to all training videos, monthly virtual meetings, quizzes, and participation in the bi-weekly gift card drawings.
For organizations enrolling multiple DSPs, bulk group discounts are available. For groups of 25+ the cost is $279.00 Additionally, flexible payment options can be discussed upon request.
- What will I receive when the program is over?
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion to acknowledge your dedication and the skills you’ve acquired. Beyond the certificate, you will walk away with:
Enhanced leadership skills and advocacy techniques.
Increased knowledge in areas like self-care, stress management, workforce readiness, and mental health.
A deeper sense of purpose, understanding how valuable and needed you are in your role.
Access to a community of like-minded professionals who share experiences and support each other’s growth.
Most importantly, you’ll have gained a renewed sense of appreciation for the work you do every day and a clear path for personal and professional growth.
- Can I watch my videos early and finish the program early?
While the program is designed to be completed over the course of one year to allow for steady learning and reinforcement, we understand that some participants may prefer to go at their own pace. Videos will be made available one at a time, and you will be notified when each new video is ready for you to watch.
You are welcome to complete the videos as soon as they are released, but you cannot complete the entire program early. The program is intentionally spaced out to promote steady growth, reflection, and deeper understanding. Skipping ahead may limit your ability to engage with the content meaningfully.
- Why is the program spaced out over the course of six months?
The training is spaced out for several reasons:
Consistent Learning: Spacing out the content allows for continuous learning and personal development without overwhelming participants. It gives you time to absorb each video’s material, reflect on it, and apply the concepts before moving on to the next topic.
Sustained Engagement: With a six-month program, you will have time to grow and incorporate each lesson into your daily professional life. This extended timeframe prevents burnout and encourages long-term retention and application of what you’ve learned.
Ongoing Support: Monthly virtual meetings with Christopher Milo provide consistent support, motivation, and an opportunity to ask questions or discuss challenges you may face. This structure ensures you’re never alone in the learning process.
Work-Life Balance: Many DSPs have demanding schedules. By spacing the training out over a year, participants can balance their learning with their professional and personal commitments. It also encourages regular reflection and action on the topics covered.
By the end of the program, you’ll have developed strong, sustainable skills and a deep understanding of the program’s teachings, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
If you have a question that cannot wait until the monthly meeting or your question was not addressed during the monthly meeting:
Send all questions to christopher@wethrivetogether.org
Due to the large number of participants, please allow 48-72 hours for your reply!
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out! We’re here to support you throughout your DSP Training journey.
Watch this short video or read the transcript, and then complete the quiz below.
Leadership Quiz
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s invest in those who invest in others. Whether you’re a provider organization or an individual DSP, this program is your next step to thriving in your role.
Register below or scroll down to schedule a meeting with Christopher!