DSP OPWDD - Services

Enjoy making a difference? Join the team at FREE, enriching the lives of others, one individual at a time.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work;

employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

The Direct Support Specialist (DSS) provides supervision and oversight to the individuals residing in specialized OPWDD IRA residences who are categorized as High Risk. The DSS will provide support and services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system, or have the potential to become involved, and are at risk for reoffending while residing in a community-based setting, without specialized supports and services in place.

The DSS will work collaboratively with the Direct Support Professionals to provide support and services based on person-centered life plans. The DSS will act as liaison to the clinical and management team members to address psychiatric and behavioral episodes. Further, the DSS will assist in ensuring behavioral support plans are followed and required documentation is completed as assigned.

• Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals.
• Ensures fire safety equipment is in working condition and teaches individuals to utilize this equipment.
• Teaches individuals who to contact for emergencies including, but not limited to, medical, psychiatric, fire, lack of food, etc.
• Conducts direct observations of behavior, review of records/behavioral data, and verbal/written input from team members.
• Assists individuals in accessing and utilizing community/neighborhood services.
• Acts as a liaison between individuals and various treatment team members including management, doctors, and clinical staff.
• Teaches independent living skills to the individuals to promote independence in the community.
• Assists with developing Staff Action Plans/Residential Habilitation Plans in conjunction with the individuals and their treatment teams; encourages follow through on all goals.
• Encourages and supports individuals to maintain psychiatric stability through counseling, crisis intervention, attending daytime activities, participating in treatment, and utilizing other available resources.
• Assists individuals in complying with requirements of treatment such as legal mandates and conditions of parole or probation.
• Completes reports and documentation in a timely manner, reviews documentation completed by Direct Support Professionals and assists in validation and follow up as directed by management to ensure completion within required parameters
• As directed by management, assists in ensuring all team members are trained on program specific documentation and treatment plans and provides guidance as needed.
• Attends and participates in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings, case review meetings, and all other team meetings as assigned.
• Advocates with and for the people we support in a variety of situations.
• Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals.
• Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges in establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles.
• Documents service provision, daily notes, and other information accurately, as required.
• Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary.
• Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety.
• Prevents, recognizes, and reports abuse toward the people we support.
• Tracks and documents community integration and outings for the people we support.
• Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
• Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
• Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
• Coordinates,…