How did OADSP get started?

A loose collaboration of those concerned about the status of the direct support professional workforce formed in 1998.

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council recognized the importance of the DSP workforce issue and collaborated with OPRA and issued a grant to OADSP.

Funding facilitated the hiring of a consultant to organize the project and a consultant to provide educational and technical direction.

An unincorporated group met on a regular basis and created the PATHS credentialing program.

Classes began in three regions in Ohio in 2003.

OADSP became a nonprofit organization in January, 2005