Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD)

Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) is funding a third round of an online training program designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and resources of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and Service Supervisors (SS) in their roles providing 1915(c) waiver services. The online training program strives to enhance service quality, foster career progression, and bolster staff recruitment and retention. DDD Waiver Provider Agencies are encouraged to apply to receive funding. Applications are due Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 4:00pm. The program startup period will begin May 5, 2026.

The goal of Workforce Development Training Incentive Program (WDTIP) is to have participants achieve National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Level 1 Certification.

A Request for Application (RFA) has been issued by the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) on behalf of the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities to solicit applications from DDD Waiver Provider Agencies who wish to be considered. The contract will be issued and administered as an Agreement for Services with the RCUH.

Please review the application for specific eligibility details.

Register for the Informational Webinar on April 23, 2026, 1pm – 2:20pm.  (A recording will be available on the DDD website after the webinar).

The following is a list of important dates for the program.

Activity	Scheduled Date
RFA Issued	April 20, 2026
Informational webinar	April 23, 2026, 1:00pm to 2:30pm<
Closing date for receipt of questions	April 24, 2026, 4:00 pm
Project deadline for response to applicant questions	April 28, 2026, 8:00am
Application due date	April 29, 2026, 4:00 pm
Selection/Award notifications	May 4, 2026
Program start date	May 5, 2026
Service agreement (contract) execution period	May 5, 2026 – May 15, 2026
Program startup period	May 5, 2026 – May 15, 2026
CoP enrollment deadline	May 15, 2026
Roster verification and finalization	May 16 – May 18, 2026
Training schedule distribution	May 18, 2026

Please direct questions to Marlene Murray via email at [email protected]. All questions and responses will be compiled and released on April 28, 2026, and will also be made available online on the DDD website.