Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professionals must provide the following:

Acceptance of individuality by:

• encouragement to, positive reinforcement for, and positive interactions with individuals receiving services by:
• offering frequent praise and positive rewards
• implementing growth-oriented goals, objectives, and programs based on each person’s choices;
• teaching focused on individual strengths and abilities, not on weaknesses or disabilities; and
  teaching new skills rather than criticizing current habits/methods.

Opportunities to learn accountable decision-making by:

• providing accountability (limits or consequences) when appropriate;
• discussing specific choices and their natural consequences
• modeling good decision-making and the decision-making process; and
  allowing growth mistakes.

An atmosphere of caregiving, not of caretaking, by assisting people as requested, not in anticipation of their needs.

Opportunities for recreational activities and relationships of value with people of choice by:

• presenting a wide range of opportunities, including familiarizing each person with community organizations as she/he wishes;

Assistance and supervision as indicated by each person’s Individual Program Plan in the areas of:

Personal health and safety, including, but not limited to; exercise, nutrition, medical treatments, medication administration and/or assistance, medical appointments, and responding to emergencies.

• hygiene, including but not limited to; bathing, toileting, dressing, and oral hygiene.
• finances, including but not limited to; budgeting, cash transactions, and banking.
• food, clothing, and shelter, including but not limited to; meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, purchasing clothing, laundry, clothes maintenance, house cleaning and home maintenance
• community access and leisure activities

Documentation, including but not limited to;

• daily interactions and events
• goals, objectives, and other programming
• medical issues and medication administration
  behavior