+ What is Direct Support?

Community Interface Services offers a vast and flexible array of services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities; Direct Support Professionals (job coaches, resource counselors, substitutes, roommates, and relief staff) provide the hands-on delivery of these services in people's homes, at their work sites, and in the community. Direct support is where the "rubber meets the road" and where real positive impacts are made. The ultimate goal of all direct services is to help individuals become more independent, more connected and involved with their communities, better self advocates, and less dependent on us!

As a direct support professional, you will spend the majority of your work day in direct contact with adults with developmental disabilities. The people you work with may also have mental health diagnosis, behavioral challenges, health, personal care, or medication needs. Your clients’ level of need, your duties, and your schedule depends upon the service you work in, the position you hold, and your individual case load assignment. You may assist one person in balancing their checkbook, while other individuals will need daily assistance with activities such as eating, using the restroom, or bathing. You may be driving from appointment to appointment, traveling from a bank to the store or to a clients home; or you may be assigned to a stationary work site or traveling with your consumer(s) via public transportation; or you may be hanging out with someone at their home or at the beach, or going to the movies!

+ What is a Developmental Disability/Mental Health Diagnosis?

Community Interface supports a culturally diverse group of adults with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities are caused by permanent physical and mental conditions which affect early growth and development and include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, seizures disorders, and autism, or other conditions closely related to intellectual disability. Many individuals with developmental disabilities may also be diagnosed with a serious mental illness. This combination of disabilities is referred to as a dual diagnosis. Some of the more common mental health diagnosis include schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

+ What are Behavioral Challenges?

Behavior is a form of communication: it is the way in which a person interacts with and responds to his or her environment and it serves a purpose. Behavior can be common such as jumping up and down to show excitement, or uncommon, like repeatedly hitting a hand against a forehead, choosing not to get into the car when its time to leave, pinching another person, or pulling hair. It can be challenging to figure out what a person is trying to communicate when he or she displays uncommon behaviors especially if verbal communication is not his or her strength. At CIS, Positive Behavior Support and Instruction training is provided and staff members work closely with the client and a support team to work through any challenges that arise.

+ What are some of the Health, Personal Care, or Medication Needs?

Community Interface Services supports many people who have physical disabilities and need assistance with transferring from a wheelchair to a bed or toilet, showering, eating, grooming, changing adult disposable briefs, etc. Some individuals use adaptive equipment to assist in their personal care needs, but Direct Support Professionals need to be able to lift 50 pounds or more. Direct Support Staff are trained on safe lifting techniques and assisting individuals with intimate personal care in a professional and respectful manner. Some individuals may take regular medications and require assistance to ensure safe and proper dosages are taken as directed.

Direct Support Staff may assist individuals in accessing medical care and are responsible for monitoring the general health and safety of all the individuals they support.

+ What Other Responsibilities do Direct Support Professionals Have?

While there are plenty of responsibilities in direct support work, there are many benefits as well. Some of our Direct Support Professionals had the following to say on a staff survey:

• “I have pride in the fact that I’m contributing to the betterment of another person’s life.”
• “I feel my job is very important and extremely rewarding. What makes my day is seeing smiles on all the [clients] faces. I feel good knowing that I can help make somebody’s day better.”
• “I like the flexible schedule and the positive atmosphere...”
• “...my job remains challenging. I don’t think I have ever had a boring day at work.”
• “I really enjoy this job and the day to day ups and down that come with it. Everyday is different which keeps it interesting and makes it go by fast.”
• “I am proud of my work and the changes I have helped come true for the clients and their families.”
• “It feels good to make a difference in the clients lives and in the community at large.”
• “Seeing the progress made by the clients I work with is the most exciting and satisfying part of my job.”
• “When I see them [clients] do something new that makes my day.”
• “One of the greatest things...is how 99% of the time, I wake up wanting to go to work, enjoy the chaos of [the] day, and go home laughing with stories to share.”
• “This is the best job I have had.”

Once a Direct Support Professional joins our team, there are many skills to master. We provide training designed to help you succeed. Sometimes new staff members feel overwhelmed by the amount of information to absorb. Rest assured, your initial training and support should all come together as you gain more experience and become more comfortable with your new role. You will attend new employee orientation. You will spend time observing your coworkers and benefit from their experiences. You will learn about and meet your assigned clients. You will meet regularly with your supervisor. You will attend regular staff meetings, typically once or twice per month. We have an open door policy and work as a team: someone is always available for questions or moral support.

New employee orientation covers developmental disabilities; the California developmental disabilities service system; regulatory issues; health and safety related topics; assisting individuals with personal care and lifting; agency values, philosophy, policies, and procedures; positive behavioral intervention: personnel and employment practices; clients rights; documentation procedures; direct service implementation and practices; and CPR/First Aid if required. Ongoing training include reviews of the above and a multitude of new and innovative Direct Support and professional development related topics.

+ Paid Roommate Positions

Our paid Roommate positions entail living with and providing companionship and direct support for an individual(s) with a developmental disability. The position allows you to work at home and is perfect for students, couples, or those wanting a second income. The hours typically include afternoons, evenings, overnights, and weekends. Support services provided by the paid roommate in the home and community may include assistance in budgeting, correspondence, meal preparation, shopping, accessing medical and dental care, household upkeep; and personal care such as bathing, eating, and other activities of daily living. Work hours vary depending on the amount of support an individual needs. Living expenses such as rent and utilities are shared.

The preferred qualifications for our Roommate positions are a High School diploma or GED, and relevant experience. Earn approximately $1,800 - $3200 a month with an excellent benefit package while working from your home.

+ Relief Workers

Our live-out Relief Workers provide services for one or more individuals in the clients' homes when the paid roommate or the family caregiver needs time off. If you are looking for a flexible schedule this opening may be just right for you. Work schedules can include evenings, overnights, and/or weekends, and may range from 2 to 48 hours or more in duration. Work is available throughout San Diego County.

The preferred qualifications for our Relief Worker positions are a High School diploma or GED, and relevant experience.

The starting salary for this position is $18.00 per hour during the day and minimum wage for sleeping overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Excellent benefits are available for full time relief workers.

+ Independent Living Resource Counselors/Supported Employment Job Coaches

Independent Living Resource Counselors and Supported Employment Job Coaches are responsible for supporting adults with developmental disabilities who are living in their own homes or working in the community. Support areas include money management, meal planning and preparation, accessing community resources, mobility training, and general problem solving as well as work adjustment skills. Generally, work hours vary. Some weekend work may be required and there is extensive driving in this community based position. Caseloads may be based in North County or San Diego depending on need.

Hiring preference is given to those with a bachelor's degree with a major in social or human services field or a relevant combination of experience and education.

The starting salary for the Resource Counselor position is $20.00 to $22.00 per hour, depending on education and experience, plus excellent benefits.

+ Vocational Resource Counselor

Vocational Resource Counselors work Monday through Friday during business hours with small groups of people with developmental disabilities providing vocational skills training at local businesses and in other community settings. Services are designed to foster integrated work, community inclusion, and self-advocacy. These positions range between 30 and 35 hours per week, and are considered full time and eligible for benefits.

Hiring preference is given to those with a bachelor's degree with a major in social or human services field or a relevant combination of experience and education.

The starting salary for Vocational Resource Counselors is $20.00 to $22.00 per hour, depending on education and experience, plus excellent benefits.

+ Substitute Resource Counselors

Applicants wishing to work less than five days per week or who need greater scheduling flexibility may be interested in our part-time Substitute Resource Counselor positions, filling in for full time Resource Counselors two to five days per week as desired.

The minimum requirements for Substitute positions are a high school diploma or GED and the ability to perform the functions of the position. The starting salary is $20.00 to $22.00 per hour.