Direct Support Professional At Risk Youth

A Direct Support Professional assists youth in accordance with the Service Plan. The purpose of direct care services is to provide behavioral health counseling, training, and direct support to address the functional/daily or social skills for youth with developmental disabilities, substance abuse history and/or emotional or behavioral challenges. These duties may be performed in one or more treatment settings. As a Direct Support Professional, you will inspire hope and empower lives.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential function listed below.

· Orient youth within 24 hours of program admission.

· Establish a therapeutic relationship with the youth receiving services to ensure effective guidance, direct support and service delivery.

· Attend youths’ monthly treatment plan meeting(s).

· Provide training, assistance and/or supervision to youth in the areas of daily living, personal care, financial management, community and social integration and/or job skills development.

· Provide pre-vocational skills training for a minimum of 5 hours weekly.

· Provide Ansell-Casey or Botvin Lifeskills training for a minimum of 3 hours weekly.

· Provide support to youth, to ensure objectives are met in accordance with the Service Plan.

· May be required to coordinate, organize and/or assist with household activities such as light housekeeping and meal preparation.

· May provide transportation for youth receiving services, planned and/or necessary activities and appointments.

· Maintain current progress and service notes and any other appropriate documentation in accordance with The MENTOR Network policy, program and New Jersey state statutes.

· Complete and submit all required documentation to direct supervisor in accordance with program deadlines.

· Provide supervisor with feedback and data relevant to youth’s day to day human/social services, Service Plan or administrative policy.

· Actively attend and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings as required.

· Attend training and other meetings as mandated.

· Maintain confidentiality, respect human rights and practice universal precautions in accordance with The MENTOR Network policy

Minimum Knowledge and Skills required by the Job

The requirements listed below are a representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to perform the job

Education and Experience:

· High school diploma/G.E.D. with 3-5 years of experience providing direct support to emotionally challenged youth in a behavioral health agency or residential setting. Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology or Human Services field(s), some college with a concentration in these fields, preferred.

· Ability to understand instructions provided in written or oral form.

· Ability to contend with routine problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

· Successful clearance of three professional reference checks, criminal background checks and successful fingerprint clearance and any other checks required by state regulations.

Training, Licenses, Registration and Insurance Required:

• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Vehicle registration and insurance is required for providing transportation for youth receiving services.
• All state required training must be completed in the first two weeks of employment (Agency provided).

About New Jersey MENTOR

Founded in 1990, New Jersey MENTOR supports adults, youth and families throughout the state, offering a broad continuum of treatment programs in a variety of community-based settings. Through a range of personalized programs including Therapeutic Foster Care and adult Host Home programs, New Jersey MENTOR strives to enhance the lives of children and adults throughout the state so they may reach their potential and thrive in the communities they call home.

New Jersey MENTOR is a partner of The MENTOR Network, a national network of local human services providers offering quality, community-based services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain and spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses, and to youth with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges as well as their families. With opportunities from coast to coast,when you join New Jersey MENTOR and The MENTOR Network.

EOE/AAE