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LEAD: Frontline Leadership in Disability Services

Leadership exists at every level, especially where it matters most – in daily interactions with people with IDD. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and frontline leaders bring incredible leadership skills to their current and future roles in our field’s organizations and systems.

LEAD helps Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and frontline leaders recognize and leverage those strengths to enhance service delivery, create cohesive frontline teams, and build direct support capacity across the IDD system. 

Apply Now for an Upcoming Training

DSPs and frontline managers are leading every day. Here’s how we support their development.

When DSPs and frontline leaders attend LEAD, our data shows they leave more confident, committed, and knowledgeable. Participating in LEAD yields stronger, more engaged frontline leaders.

  • More than 90% of LEAD graduates say that what they learned is useful to their current and future work as DSPs and leaders in our field
  • More than 95% of supervisors of LEAD graduates feel that the program helped to improve their work on the job

LEAD is an eight week hybrid program designed with the skills, knowledge, and connection that direct support professionals need in mind. This customized program features national and local guest speakers, individual leadership assessments and strength identification, and small and large group discussions and exercises.

  • “LEAD changed the way I see myself as a leader; it significantly enhanced my capacity to lead and manage effectively… As a result, I am better equipped to foster a positive work environment and contribute to my organization’s success.”
    2025 LEAD Graduate
  • “LEAD has been a turning point in my professional growth… Since completing the training, I’ve noticed a positive shift in how I approach teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving. The lessons continue to guide me daily, making me more intentional in how I support others and contribute to my organization’s success.”
    2024 LEAD Graduate

Ready to Apply?

Currently, LEAD is offered in Delaware, and the Division of Developmental Disability Services in DE reimburses the cost to attend, plus an additional stipend to cover wages. The program is also open to DSPs and frontline leaders working nearby in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, although there are not yet reimbursement opportunities for attendees living and working in those states.

  • Frontline Leader Training

    The Fall 2026 LEAD Program

    Aug 11, 2026

     – Sep 29, 2026

    Dover, DE and Virtual

There are no Frontline Leadership Trainings scheduled at this time. Please subscribe to our newsletter to get updated when new events are announced.

Bring LEAD to your state or system

NLCDD is working to expand LEAD: Frontline Leadership in Disability Services, and our team would love to talk about bringing the program to your state or system. Our data shows that leadership development for DSPs and Frontline leaders is a critical piece in advancing and professionalizing the workforce.

Contact Us to Discuss Bringing LEAD to You

People with disabilities depend on DSP and frontline leadership.

DSPs and frontline leaders are the linchpin to quality support for people with IDD. When organizations break the cycle of high rates of turnover, disengagement, and burnout, people with IDD are healthier, more in control, and overall more satisfied with their lives. 

The LEAD curriculum was thoughtfully curated to deepen DSPs and frontline leaders’ knowledge of their leadership strengths and help them understand how their leadership contributes to the wellbeing of their teams, organizations, and, most importantly, the lives of people with disabilities 

The growth that LEAD participants experience contributes to a renewed sense of purpose, more energy and passion for their work, and readiness to apply their learning in everyday supports.

  • Investment in frontline leaders’ strengths, skills, and connections
    leads to…
  • More confident, self-aware, and skilled leaders
    leads to…
  • Stronger engagement, increased energy, and enhanced day-to-day work
    leads to…
  • Better lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • “In this job,… we give, give, give, so sometimes knowing that you’re being appreciated and seen and heard makes what we do that much easier and gives you just that little sense of gratification.”
    2023 LEAD Graduate
  • “Attending LEAD has given me more insight into my calling and purpose.”
    2024 LEAD Graduate
  • “I came into the program probably very close to the edge of burnout. I was very tired. We have been chronically understaffed, and I was just feeling very done. So, on a very personal level, I got very reenergized by the training. It made me a lot more capable of doing my job and making what we do better.”
    2026 LEAD Graduate

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Not your typical DSP training

NLCDD developed LEAD using the same core values we bring to all of our training and development opportunities. 

  1. We start with leadership strengths instead of deficits, because we know that strengths-based approaches are more effective and longer lasting
  2. We model authentic leadership, knowing that leadership is only effective if it promotes the rights and dignity of people with disabilities
  3. We cultivate learning through action, which leads to higher retention of knowledge and skills, and more engagement throughout

We know that the DSPs and frontline leaders who attend LEAD are already leading, so we start there. We presume strength, competence, and potential. We’ve found this approach yields connection and reignites passion. 

We work with participants to navigate complex schedules and challenges as they come up, so that people can be engaged without feeling stressed or monitored. We’ve found this flexibility builds trust and keeps people coming back. 

Our curriculum incorporates challenging yet accessible exercises, relevant and stimulating discussions, insightful self-assessments, and interactive presentations with local and national experts. We’ve found this level of rigor results in deep learning and meaningful growth.

  • “LEAD was an amazing experience for me… I felt understood, empowered and valued during each session… and I look forward to putting my new knowledge of myself and my career into action.”
    2024 LEAD GRADUATE
  • “I don’t think there is a better career boost than this. The things we talked about, the stories we shared, and the information we got was exactly what we needed. The field needs to have this. It’s overdue.”
    2025 LEAD GRADUATE

Frequently Asked Questions

LEAD is open to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), and those working in frontline positions (meaning direct support is included in some aspect of their role) in the IDD field. This training is specifically designed to build the strengths and skills of those who are working directly with people with disabilities.

LEAD is an 8-week program that includes a mix of in-person and virtual sessions each week. Four in-person sessions are held from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. There are two in-person sessions in week one, one in week four, and one during the final week. During the final session, participants are encouraged to invite colleagues to attend a celebratory lunch. Five virtual sessions are held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during weeks two, three, five, six, and seven.

Virtual sessions are interactive and exercise-based, so it is important that participants can be fully engaged. Throughout LEAD, participants will complete several self-assessments and surveys about their leadership skills and their organization. They will also work collaboratively on an innovation project to address a significant challenge that DSPs face today. These may require a few hours of out-of-session time. We strongly encourage agencies to fully compensate attendees for all time spent participating in LEAD.

The cost of attending LEAD is $2,250. Each investment includes participation, materials, meals (when in person), and lifetime access to our alumni network and resources. For those living and working in the state of Delaware, NLCDD has partnered with DDDS to reimburse organizations for the cost to attend, plus a $500 stipend to cover wages, mileage, and additional costs incurred to organizations. Group rates may be available for organizations sending four staff members, especially with a commitment to attend multiple Institutes over time. Some organizations also budget for this as essential professional development.

We understand that things come up! Once you confirm your attendance, you will be responsible for paying all LEAD-related fees. We will accept cancellations up to six weeks before the start of each LEAD session (we require written notice), and fees will be refunded minus a $250 processing fee. Alternatively, we encourage you to defer your attendance to a later date or substitute an appropriate colleague to attend in your place to waive the processing fee.

Cancellations are not accepted within six weeks of the LEAD session; however, we understand that emergencies will happen. If you need to cancel closer to LEAD, we will work with you to defer, or you are welcome to find a colleague to come in your place. However, there will be no refunds for cancellations made six weeks or fewer before LEAD, and no-shows will still be charged the full cost of attendance.

Absolutely! Many organizations find value in sending multiple staff members over time to build internal leadership capacity and create a shared leadership language. We welcome up to four staff members from the same organization to LEAD, which we find benefits both your organization and each cohort.

Yes! Sponsors include foundations, developmental disability councils, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies. Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits and become a sponsor.