Want to make a difference and give back to your community? In-between jobs or looking to change what you do? Do you have a desire to work in a positive, inclusive, and supportive work environment?
Human Connections is seeking creative and compassionate individuals who have a knack for connecting with others and supporting them towards their goals, to join us in our mission for increased independence, inclusion, and community engagement for adults within the intellectual/developmental disabilities community.
We strive to not be a run- of- the mill I/DD supports agency, rather we are constantly working towards breaking through the barriers experienced in this community and implementing a strengths-based approach for demonstrating what true community engagement and interpersonal growth looks like. You do not need to have direct experience within the I/DD field because ultimately it is people helping people and if you are good at that, training will fill in the gaps of direct experience.
Our goal is not simply to provide opportunities for our valued clients to work towards their identified goals in a meaningful way, it is also to connect the members of our team with opportunities which focus on their own individual strengths, while also providing a space for them to feel fulfilled within how they spend their working hours. Using an individualized services model approach, we focus on making purposeful connections which values the unique qualities and considerations of each team member and person who is engaged in our services. We work to operate within a different model, here are a few of the things that make us different:
Each direct support professional is connected with clients on an individual basis. This means that we do not hire new staff to meet specific client needs. Rather we match our staff with clients based on needs, areas of focus, location, schedule, and other individual preferences. This increases success because we take the time to make sure that it is a good fit for everyone involved.
We do not schedule team members based on shifts. Rather, we allow each team member to provide their availability and facilitate client connections with individuals whose needs are within that team member's availability. While facilitating the support of the initial scheduling, each team member has the autonomy to create a schedule that works for them personally. Staff are never required to work assigned shifts, rather a schedule is cultivated that meets the needs of each team member and the individuals they are supporting.
Human Connections maintains a focus on a positive work-life balance. We have created a space which allows for flexibility when needed and considers the fact that life can happen fast. We understand that each person who chooses to join our team is human, and we have diligently worked to establish a model of transparency and mutual support to ensure that the needs of each person is met on an individual level. We understand that sometimes personal matters are unexpected or that people need a mental health day. This model of mutual support and open communication has proven successful throughout our years of operation. Team members are part of our core and are always valued as such.
Our agency promotes the development of concrete systems and individualized supervision models to allow team members to have a level of autonomy in what their work schedule looks like and the level of supervision they receive. Team members can have a lot of independence in their community-based work or maintain a level of more connected support, structure, and supervision.
Our agency was recently a recipient of a federal grant with a focus on increasing capacity for community-based services. This has allowed us to allocate a physical meeting space which is being developed to provide space for activities with clients, focused skill building, social/emotional skill building groups and other activities which aim to increase independent living skills and true community inclusion. We are in a very exciting period of growth in which each team member has the opportunity to contribute their ideas or individual areas of skill/strength.
We are seeking to add new team members and will consider candidates both with experience within the I/DD field or those with personal skill sets or experiences which align with our goal of increasing independence and community connection of members of the I/DD community. We are willing to provide focused training and professional development for people that are a good fit within our agency model. We are willing to train people who have a passion for social justice and personal development. Our primary client base are individuals who live independently in the community. Although we value support services for those with higher physical support needs, our agency does not provide personal care ADL/IADL services unless the individual team member has expressed openness to engagement in these activities.
Additionally, Human Connections is owned and operated by a behavior consultant and our program is dedicated to assisting clients who may have higher support needs connected to behavior, mental health, or substance abuse. This allows us to provide focused support services to individuals who have not been successful in previous service engagement with other agencies. This means that staff have access to OIS training, mental health support training and other opportunities for professional development in these areas. Team members will never be placed with clients whose needs are higher than the staff member feels comfortable supporting.
Minimum Requirements:
Ability to pass a criminal history check conducted by the Department of Human Services.
Access to a reliable vehicle, maintain valid auto insurance with full coverage and have an acceptable driving record. Note: Human Connections is willing to accept applications for candidates who do not have access to a vehicle, with the understanding that it may be more difficult to allocate clients who do not require transportation and timelines for allocation of clients and hours cannot be predicted.
Experience working within systems that require personal organizational and self-management skills.
Experience working within basic computer systems (e-mail and Microsoft Word, for example).
Experience providing services or support to individuals professionally or within a personal setting.
Preference and higher starting wage given to applicants with at least two years of post-secondary education in social services field (such as social work, psychology, sociology, mental health, etc.) and at least one year of providing support services to individuals with I/DD; or three years of experience with individuals with I/DD; or at least two years working within a caregiving/direct support role or within mental health/addictions services.
Benefits:
Competitive Pay and Paid Training
Paid Time Off
Partial Healthcare Benefits Reimbursement
Aflac Benefits with Partial Reimbursement
Retirement 401k options with employer contribution
Paid administrative time and mileage reimbursement
Hourly rate starting at $20-$24 per hour depending on experience.
Human Connections is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and actively seeks applicants from diverse backgrounds. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people who experience disabilities to apply.