Watch this video to find out what it means to be a direct support professional.
Employment and Community First CHOICES
Employment and Community First CHOICES is an integrated and person-centered program that aligns with incentives toward promoting and supporting integrated, competitive employment and independent living as the first and preferred option for individuals with an Intellectual Disability and/or Developmental Disability.
Currently there are 5 Benefit Groups
- Group 4 – Essential Family Supports – focus on people who live at home with their families
- Group 5 – Essential Supports for Employment and Independent Living- focus on people who are 21 or older who are living or want to live independently and pursue employment and community living goals
- Group 6 – Comprehensive Supports for Employment and Community Living - focus on people who are 21 or older who need a more comprehensive level of support to meet their employment and community living goals
- Group 7 – Intensive Behavioral Family Supports – focus on children under 21 who live with their family and have I/DD and severe behavior support needs
- Group 8 – Comprehensive Behavioral Supports for Employment and Community Living – focus on adults who have I/DD and severe behavior support needs and are moving into the community from a place with lots of structure and supervision
The employment supports target a “pathway” to employment and career planning, focused on services that meet people wherever they are in their employment: from exploring their interests and skills, to on-the-job supports, to career advancement. Also, there are supports to individuals and families toward independence and integration and accessing decision-making supports.
People who need more comprehensive supports, there are benefits that recognizes exceptional medical and behavioral needs, and offers residential services that may include up to 24-hour support, in addition to the employment and community services offered in the other benefit packages.
Employment and Community First CHOICES is an integrated and person-centered program.
Example of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) Job Summary
We are looking for a responsible, caring, and compassionate direct support professional (DSP) to join our growing team. The ideal job candidate will be highly dependable and have a passion for helping those with physical and/or mental disabilities live a more fulfilled and happy life. Working one-on-one with each client, you will assess his/her needs and tend to them accordingly with the goal of fostering a positive, encouraging environment.
Direct Support Professional Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Be a personal companion to your clients and act as a supportive friend serving their needs and working to build their independence
- Encourage and foster individuals’ preferred hobbies and interests
- Assist with and work to strengthen the individuals’ many daily living needs including but not limited to: nutrition, hygiene, exercise, communication and socialization skills
- Help individuals to bathe, groom and dress, eat and drink if necessary, always working to improve self-reliance
- Create daily schedules and plans for clients
- Help set individual goals and track client progress, noting any drastic changes; report findings to superiors
- Make phone calls and drive clients to appointments, meetings, events, etc.
- Encourage individual skill development and work towards community integration
- Develop meaningful relationships and connections with your clients to make them feel cared for and included in the community
- Follow all health and safety protocol
- Help clean and tidy home for the individuals
- Attend continued education courses, training and get further certified as the job requires
- Be a compassionate, patient and encouraging support professional at all times; you are a caregiver, cheerleader and advocate rolled into one and your work can change the lives of many for the better
Direct Support Professional Requirements and Qualifications
- Minimum high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Valid driver’s license
- CPR certification
- Pass state background check (dependent on state requirements)
- Comfortable working independently and can consistently make good judgements that benefit the client
- Flexible, with a keen ability to handle stress well
- A friendly disposition with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude
- Computer literate and technologically savvy
- Experience tracking and recording information
- Enjoys working with developmentally disabled individuals to improve their quality of life
- Can quickly manage stressful situations responsibly and effectively
- Strong interpersonal skills and passionate about helping those in need
- Ability to move and stand for prolonged periods and frequently perform physically demanding tasks
Below is the list of Direct Support Professional (DSP) job opportunities in Tennessee by region
Statewide
- Omni Supports - https://www.cgtenn.com/
- RHA - www.rhahealthservices.org
- Evergreen Life Services - https://evergreenls.org
- Meritan - www.meritan.org
- D&S Community - www.dscommunity.com
Middle
- Journeys in Community Living - www.journeystn.org
- Progress Inc - www.progress-inc.org
- Affordable Home Access - www.affordablehomeaccess.com
- Best Buddies International, Inc. - www.bestbuddies.org/
- Developmental Services of Dickson County - https://dsdc.org/
- Hilltoppers, Inc. - www.hilltoppersinc.com
- Home Caregivers of Cookeville - www.homecaregiverstn.com
- Prospect - www.Prospectinc.com
- The Arc of TN - www.thearctn.org
East
- Breakthrough - http://www.breakthroughknoxville.com/home0.aspx
- Cerebral Palsey Center - https://cpcenter.org/
- Chip Hale Center - www.chiphalecenter.org
- Michael Dunn Center - www.michaeldunncenter.org
- disAbility Resource Center - http://drctn.org/
- Emory Valley - www.emoryvalleycenter.org
- Orange Grove - https://www.orangegrovecenter.com
West
- Volunteer America - www.voamid.org
- Good Hands Care - www.goodhandcares.com
- Loving Arms - www.lovingarmsllc.com
- SRVS - www.srvs.org
- St John's Community Services of TN - www.sjcs.org
- Star Center - www.star-center.org
- Madison Haywood - https://mhds.org/employment/
East and Middle
- Community Options - www.comop.org
West and Middle
- Easter Seals - www.eastersealstn.com