Dignity of Risk

This module discusses balancing dignity of risk with duty of care and identifying when to step in to help someone stay safe.

Learning Objectives

Explain the concept of Dignity of Risk and its significance in supporting individuals with disabilities in making their own choices.
Know how to assist individuals to make informed choices where risk may be involved.
Know how to support a person’s choices while also following rules to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Be able to document actions taken to address health and safety concerns.

CMS Competencies

Crisis Prevention and Interventionksdsw@tthree.org2025-04-15T22:39:31-05:00

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

The DSW identifies risk and behaviors that that can lead to a crisis, and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with others.

Recognizes risk and works to prevent an individual’s crisis in a way that meets the individual’s need.
Uses positive behavior supports to prevent crisis and promote health and safety.
Uses appropriate and approved intervention approaches to resolve a crisis.
Seeks help from other staff or services when needed during a crisis.
Monitors situations and communicates with the individual and his or her family and support team to reduce risk.
Reports incidents according to rules.
Sees own potential role within a conflict or crisis and changes behavior to minimize conflict.

Person-Centered Practicesksdsw@tthree.org2025-10-14T15:26:26-05:00

Person-Centered Practices

The DSW uses person-centered practices, assisting individuals to make choices and plan goals, and provides services to help individuals achieve their goals.

Helps design services or support plans based on the choices and goals of the individual
supported, and involves the individual in the process.
Builds collaborative, professional relationships with the individual and others on the support team.
Provides supports and services that help the individual achieve their goals.
Participates as an active member of service or support team.
Works in partnership with the individual to track progress toward goals and adjust services as needed and desired by individual.
Gathers and reviews information about an individual to provide quality services.
Completes and submits documentation of services on time.

Safetyksdsw@tthree.org2025-04-15T16:17:19-05:00

Safety

The DSW is attentive to signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation and follows procedures to protect an individual from such harm. The DSW helps people to avoid unsafe situations and uses appropriate procedures to assure safety during emergency situations.

Abuse and Neglect

The Direct Service Worker:

Demonstrates the ability to identify, prevent, and report situations of abuse, exploitation, and neglect according to laws and agency rules.
Recognizes signs of abuse and neglect, including the inappropriate use of restraints, and works to prevent them.

Emergency Preparedness

The Direct Service Worker:

Maintains the safety of an individual in the case of an emergency.
Helps individuals to be safe and learn to be safe in the community.
Uses universal precautions and gives first aid as needed in an emergency.

Take Training

Test Out Course ID: 1131272

Test-Out Version

To test out of this module:

You must pass a competency exam by 90% or more.
You only get one attempt to pass the competency exam.
You must answer all questions.
If you pass the competency exam, you will earn the certificate for this module without having to complete the training.
If you do not pass the competency exam, you will have to complete the full training module to earn the certificate for this module.
There is no penalty for attempting the test-out exam and not passing.

Test-Out Training

Preview Course ID: 1133250