Massachusetts DDS LPN Certificate Program 2026 — Direct Support Workforce Pathway

Massachusetts DDS is accepting eligible direct-support employees into a 30-slot statewide LPN certificate pathway on a rolling basis, with DDS paying tuition and fees going forward for accepted participants in approved programs.

FundingUp to $20,000 in DDS-paid tuition and fees per accepted participant, plus paid educational leave while enrolled; 30 program slots are available statewide.

DeadlineRolling until available slots are filled. DDS says regional selection committees began reviewing applications March 9, 2026 and make decisions as applications arrive. The current page does not state that the program has closed.

Last verifiedSeptember 1, 2026

Required next actionConfirm you are an eligible DDS employee in good standing, verify the required service history, apply to and gain acceptance from an approved participating LPN certificate program, then submit the DDS program application with the required acceptance verification. Because only 30 slots are available statewide, confirm remaining capacity with DDS before relying on funding.

Broad Eligibility

The program is open to qualifying DDS Direct Support Workers, Recreation Therapists and Residential Supervisors who meet the program's employment and good-standing requirements. DDS states applicants generally must have worked full-time in an eligible DDS role for at least two years as of July 1, 2026 and must first be accepted into an approved participating LPN certificate program.

Atlas Analysis

A high-value workforce pipeline opportunity for frontline developmental-services staff who want to advance into nursing. It is not a traditional organizational grant; Atlas includes it because DDS directly covers education costs and the program can expand the nursing pipeline serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Availability is capacity-limited and should be confirmed before enrollment decisions are made.

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services’ 2026 LPN Certificate Program is a workforce-development pathway for eligible DDS Direct Support Workers, Recreation Therapists, and Residential Supervisors. DDS will cover tuition and fees at an approved LPN certificate program up to $20,000 and provides paid educational leave while participants remain employed.

Only 30 statewide slots are available. Applicants generally must have worked full-time in an eligible DDS role in good standing for at least two years as of July 1, 2026, and must first be accepted into one of the approved participating LPN programs.

Rolling selection

DDS regional selection committees began reviewing applications March 9, 2026 and continue on a rolling basis until all slots are filled. This is not an organizational grant or N9+ procurement opportunity; its value is direct nursing-pipeline expansion for the developmental-services workforce.

Source verificationOfficial government source · www.mass.govAtlas last verified this record September 1, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗