The ETSU Rural Pathways to Healthy Careers Initiative is a workforce program in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Labor, Tennessee Board of Regents, and Blue Care Tennessee. The initiative's goal is to support TennCare partners who provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by providing Direct Support Professional Certification to interested students or to those who currently work in the field. DSP training is a 12-week competency-based certificate program that allows students to learn the trade and provide the necessary care to IDD individuals, allowing them to lead safe and fulfilling lives at home, at work, and in the community.