Personal Assistant and Job Coach Training Courses

A trained Direct Support Worker is a person who will provide professional supportive care for individuals with disabilities in a variety of situations, life skills, and employment.

Option 4 – Direct Support Worker (DSW) – Certificate of Completion

  • A “for fee” training course for all eligible applicants.
  • All fees may be self paid or agency sponsored (Department of Labor http://www.hawaiicrcs.org/provider_info.asp?schno=16321 Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Alu Like, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or other provider agency, etc.)
  • Call 982-8322 for information on how to apply for an agency sponsorship.
  • US residents must provide Hawaii State criminal history clearance.
  • US residents must pass adult and child protective service clearance, TB clearance, and have a clear traffic abstract.

Note: If you are looking for placement in a DSW position after training, potential job placements may be available at Puna Kamali’i Flowers, Inc. Employment Center, if there is an opening. However, completion of training does not guarantee placement with Puna Kamali’i Flowers, Inc. nor in any other job placement. All International and National immigration laws apply for training and employment within the United States of America. You will need to know the United States laws and abide by them.

  • Must be 18 years of age or older (age exceptions may not be negotiated)
  • 8:00am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday, (Note: scheduled hours may change)
  • Goal setting
  • Community based assessments
  • Resumes
  • Job development
  • Mock job interviewing
  • Hourly on the job training support
  • PKF, Inc. transportation is not available to and/or from training site for DSW courses
  • Information regarding Social Security laws and work
  • Information regarding Medicaid laws and work
  • Training completion certificates
  • PKF, Inc. T-shirt
  • Housing may or may not be available. Check with our office for possible for fee housing
  • Additional Hawaiian enjoyment and cultural experiences may be added to your total experience. See Pili’aloha (Friendship) Island Tours for more information (additional fees apply).

SKILLS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR DIRECT SUPPORT WORKERS – DSW’S


192 HOUR DSW Course –
Certificate of Completion
  • Applicant will participate with this course in online computer instruction, classroom, and hands-on applications. Hours may vary depending on your online participation and availability to do the work.
  • Course teaches supportive care for individuals with disabilities in a variety of situations, life skills, and employment.
  • This course must be completed to receive a Direct Support Worker Certificate of Completion, and for eligibility to apply for any refresher courses.
  • American Red Cross CPR & First Aid Certification included.
80 HOUR DSW CourseCertificate of Completion
  • Course teaches supportive care for individuals with disabilities in a variety of situations, life skills and employment.
  • This course must be completed to receive a Direct Support Worker Certificate of Completion, and for eligibility to apply for any refresher courses.
  • American Red Cross CPR & First Aid Certification included.
40 HOUR DSW Refresher Course – Certificate of Completion
  • Applicant must have completed the 80 hour DSW course and have other verifiable experience of over 80 hours working with individuals with disabilities providing supportive care in a variety of situations, life skills, and employment. PKF, Inc. staff to determine if you are eligible for a 40 hour session.
20 HOUR DSW Refresher Course – Certificate of Completion
  • Applicant must have completed 80 the hour DSW course and have other verifiable experience of over 80 hours working with individuals with disabilities providing supportive care in a variety of situations, life skills, and employment. PKF, Inc. staff to determine if you are eligible for a 20 hour session.
Certificates of Completion are provided at the end of each training session.

Training Fees schedule:
  • 1/2 down payment due to days prior to the start of the training course
  • Final payment due on the first day of class and turned in to PKF, Inc. office. Certificate of completion will not be issued without full payment in PKF, Inc. office. Call PKF, Inc. for training cost updates or write to the email address below.
  • To enroll, you may have to email to the address below and explain which class session your are interested in. We sill send you a communication letter along with any explanation of schedules and payment dates.

Note: Full refund of fees if you change your career goals but you must notify us by the 2nd day of the class you wish to cancel, there are no refunds after the 2nd day of class.

Class Schedules:

Call PKF, Inc. for current schedules and application forms.To apply, contact:
Puna Kamali’i Flowers, Inc.
16-211 Kalara St.
Kea’au, HI 96749-8005 

Or fax information to:
(808) 982-8544

Or e-mail to:
careers@punakamaliiflowers.com

Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format only please.