Onboard Training for New Employees

Onboard Training for New Employees

The Educational Support and Staff Development (ESSD) Team at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is continually enhancing the onboard training program to provide all newly hired employees an effective transition into their new employment positions. Training requirements vary based on the employee’s position and/or functions essential to their work duties. Training begins on the employee’s date of hire at new employee orientation. At orientation, the new employee will receive a review of a personalized training schedule, and information about additional training requirements, in addition to attending the scheduled classes on this day.

As the newly hired employee progresses through the DDS Onboard Training Program, they will complete all compliance trainings with live instructors over a four-to-six-day format, depending on position held,  prior to visiting their assigned worksite. Additional training will be assigned using one of our Learning Management Systems, Open Future Learning, which allows for self-paced learning and for the employee to have flexibility while they participate in on-the-job training simultaneously.  These E-learning courses are assigned based upon position in Open Future Learning. a nationally recognized curriculum that gives a general overview of many topics that are central to working in the field of developmental disabilities and align with the DDS STEP initiative. Newley hired employees will receive on-the-job training , known as shadow shifts, covering all information on in house and individual specific needs for a period of time based on the complexity of the assignment before the employee becomes part of the complement.

The Trainers within the ESSD Team strives to impart new employees with a thorough understanding of the DDS mission and values, critical policies, person-centered practices, and safety practices that empower each person to perform their job effectively. On-site training offers new employees the opportunity to meet their supervisor and peers, observe and ask questions, while gradually transitioning into their full responsibilities of working with or in support of the people DDS serves. The DDS ESSD Team is available for assistance throughout the onboard process and continues to support the employee as they maintain their regular annual and bi-annual training and education requirements.

For questions regarding new employee training, please contact dds.training@ct.gov.