REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPORT BROKERS

All requirements for certification as a Support Broker must be met before you will receive certification.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MONTANA DDP SUPPORT BROKERS

All persons providing paid Support Broker services to Montana Developmental Disability Program Medicaid Waiver participants must meet the qualifications established by the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program.

Qualifications of Certified Support Broker:

  • Minimum of 18 years of age
  • Skills and knowledge typically gained by completing coursework, community classes, or workshops in human services.
  • Two or more years of experience providing paid/unpaid support to persons with Intellectual Disabilities and knowledge of resources in the developmental disabilities field.
  • Ability to pass a criminal background check.
  • Completion of training required by the Developmental Disabilities Program.
  • Pass the Support Broker Certification Examination with a minimum score of 80%.

Persons beginning Self-Direction with Employer Authority are required to have the services of a paid Certified Support Broker or an unpaid person performing this role who has passed the Support Broker Certification Examination for their first year of Employer Authority except when:

  • The person self-directing as an employer began Employer Authority prior to January 1, 2012.
  • The person self-directing as an Employer is directing services and supports which do not involve managing direct service employees. Any person directly employing, supervising and managing employees providing care, respite, or other direct services to the individual must have the services of a Support Broker for the first year.

ONLINE TRAINING

  • To receive certification as a Support Broker, you will be required to complete assigned courses in the College of Direct Supports. This training should be completed as soon as possible to ensure timely certification.
  • Required College of Direct Supports course for completion:
  • Documentation – Confidentiality
  • Documentation – Effective Documentation
  • Individual Rights and Choice: Restriction of Individual Rights
  • Individual Rights and Choice: Your Role in Supporting Expression of Rights and Choice Making
  • Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults and Children: Defining Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
  • Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults and Children: Documenting Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
  • Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults and Children: Preventing Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
  • Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults and Children: Reporting Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
  • Safety at Home and in the Community: Fire Safety
  • Safety at Home and in the Community: Responding to Emergencies
  • Safety at Home and in the Community: Risks, Choices and Common Sense
  • For persons new to College of Direct Supports, a user account will be opened for you and you will be assigned a User ID and Password. It is important to change your password immediately to protect your information.
  • You are not required to retake courses you have already completed. If you have previously been assigned a User ID in other services, please submit a written request to Kathy Zeeck at to allow your transcript to be reviewed by the Self-Directed Services Coordinator.
  • You will be assigned to the DDP-SELF DIRECTION course module or specific courses if you have not already been assigned required courses.
  • The website for the College of Direct Supports:
  • Navigating the College of Direct Supports Website:
  • Enter your User ID and password where indicated on the opening page.
  • Your assigned courses will be listed on your home page under the heading “Manage”.
  • You may also self-enroll in the DDP - Self-Direction module or other desired modules if you already have a User ID.
  • To self-enroll, choose “View” button next to Self-Enroll – eLearning under Quick Links heading on Home Page.
  • On My E-Learning Lessons page, choose Your Facility: Montana DD Program.
  • Choose “Enroll Now” button next to DDP-SELF DIRECTION. This will enroll you in the courses that are required for certification.
  • You may also self-enroll in any other modules listed at any time. An optional module for Support Brokers is listed.

DDP CERTIFICATION TRAINING

DDP Certification Training is required for certification as a Support Broker in Montana and provides essential information which is needed to perform their role as Support Brokers.

This training is being converted into web-based training as of the summer of 2012. As the web-based training is being developed, this training is currently being provided using videos and materials from the live Support Broker training provided in March 2012.

  • Materials for the training which include videosof individual sessions, handouts related to the training are listed on the Therap website.
  • The current edition of the Support Broker Manual and selected handouts referred to in the training may be found on the DPHHS Developmental Disabilities website at:
  • Please review all of the material provided and the video discs. Reference during the videos is made to the materials provided.
  • Discussion and questions by persons in training are encouraged. Please contact Kathy Zeeck with questions and requests using the contact information below. When questions or need for clarificationarise during the training:
  • Make note of questions as they arise referring to the training section or topic.
  • Please make sure to provide contact information when making comments or asking questions so Kathy can respond to you.
  • Please be specific and confine your comments and questions to the subject being discussed during the training.
  • Questions and comments requiring lengthy responses may need time to be responded to. You will be answered by e-mail or, if needed, a telephone call can be scheduled.

Contact Information:

Kathleen Zeeck, DDP Training Manager

Developmental Disabilities Program – DPHHS

111 Sanders, Rm 305

Helena, MT 59604

406-444-6952

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