State Recognized DCW Certification
Transform your career with The Direct Care Worker (DCW) certification.
START YOUR CAREER AS A DIRECT CARE WORKER
Become a Direct Care Worker in Michigan
Start your healthcare career or level up your skills with person-centered, competency-based DCW training.
The Direct Care Worker (DCW) certification prepares individuals to provide essential care services to older adults and individuals living with disabilities. DCWs support individuals in settings such as private homes, group homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and community living support environments. Their core duties involve assisting with personal care, daily living activities (like bathing, dressing, cooking, and shopping), rehabilitation, vocational assistance, and promoting independence.
Job titles for DCWs include home health aides, hospice aides, personal care assistants, home care workers, direct support professionals, job coaches, and companions. With a growing need for direct care workers across Michigan, the state is seeking dedicated individuals to join this vital workforce. This certification equips passionate individuals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Upon successful completion of all four levels, participants will be awarded the Direct Care Worker (DCW) Certification
Empower Your Career in Healthcare with Competency-Based Training
At DCW Academy, we are proud to offer the IMPART Alliance Direct Care Worker Training Program—a comprehensive, competency-based certification track tailored for those passionate about delivering exceptional direct care services.
Our curriculum spans four progressive levels, each designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in a direct care role:
Level 1: Direct Care Fundamentals
Build foundational skills in communication, professionalism, boundaries, and essential safety protocols.Level 2: Direct Care Associate
Explore specialized knowledge including dementia care, mental illness, trauma awareness, and diversity & inclusion.Level 3: Home and Direct Care Specialist
Learn hands-on home support strategies—from nutritional meal prep to effective cleaning and personal support services.Level 4: Personal Direct Care Specialist
Advance your skills in mobility, hygiene, chronic condition support, and leadership, with in-person labs for real-world competency.
Our certification program consists of four progressive levels. Completion of Level 1 is a prerequisite for enrollment in Levels 2 through 4, ensuring a solid foundation before advancing.
Successful completion of all levels results in a Direct Care Worker Certificate recognized across the healthcare field.
Empowering You to Make a Meaningful Difference
Our training is delivered in a flexible hybrid format, combining live virtual instruction with self-paced online modules. We offer multiple time slots (e.g., evenings and weekends) to accommodate working professionals.
DCW graduates step confidently into roles such as:
Personal Care Assistant (PCA)
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Home Health Aide
Companion, Job Coach, or Hospice Aide
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) *additional certification required
Where Will Your Certification Take You?
-
Direct Care Fundamentals
Format: 12 hours | 100% Virtual
Ideal for: New caregivers or those seeking a strong foundationWhat You’ll Learn:
The role and responsibilities of a direct care worker
Person-centered care and professional ethics
Effective communication and boundary-setting
Infection control basics and body mechanics
Stress management techniques and emergency response readiness
Why It Matters:
This level prepares you for any care setting with the essentials to deliver compassionate, competent care -
Direct Care Associate
Format: 12 hours | 100% Virtual
Ideal for: Caregivers looking to deepen their knowledgeWhat You’ll Learn:
How to support individuals with dementia, developmental disabilities, and mental illness
Cultural competency and inclusive communication
Supporting individuals through trauma, grief, and end-of-life
Planning engaging daily activities and understanding legal guardianship and family dynamics
Why It Matters:
Build the emotional intelligence and practical tools to support a diverse range of individuals and care scenarios -
Home and Direct Care Specialist
Format: 6 hours | 100% Virtual
Ideal for: Caregivers supporting individuals in their home environmentWhat You’ll Learn:
Safe and effective home cleaning strategies
Nutritional meal planning tailored to individual needs
Shopping and food label strategies
Person-centered support with daily living activities
Why It Matters:
Help individuals live independently with dignity by supporting the daily routines that keep life running smoothly. -
Personal Direct Care Specialist
Format: 36 hours | Hybrid (Virtual + In-Person Skills Labs)
Ideal for: Advanced caregivers seeking clinical and personal care skillsWhat You’ll Learn:
Hands-on techniques for bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and mobility
Support for chronic conditions like diabetes, Parkinson’s, and COPD
Advanced infection control, medication assistance, and emergency preparedness
In-person labs to practice real-world caregiving scenarios
Why It Matters:
This is where you master the art and science of direct care—preparing you to take on complex care needs with confidence.