Position Description

The Direct Care Staff work directly with residents in a residential group home or STRTP setting, ensuring the physical, emotional, medical and mental well-being of the residents in their care.  Direct Care Staff are expected to perform as a role model, provide supervision, transportation, prepare meals, and provide minor medical support.  Direct Care Staff supervise planned group and/or individual structured activities according to a daily schedule.

Qualifications

Direct Care Staff shall meet one of the following requirements prior to employment:

1. A Bachelor of Arts or Sciences Degree.
2. A valid Child Development Teaching Permit.
3. Complete 12 semester units of Early Childhood (Adolescent) Education; Development, or Foster and Kinship Care Education; have at least 100 hours experience working with clients.
4. A valid certificate as an Alcohol Counselor, Drug Counselor or Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and have at least 100 hours of experience working with clients.
5. A valid vocational training certificate, credential or documentation demonstrating that the individual is a trade journeyperson who instructs clients in vocational skills; and have at least 100 hours of experience working with resident as a mentor, athletic coach, teacher, vocational coach, tutor, counselor, or other relevant experience as determined by the department.
6. Previously been employed a full-time staff or served as a volunteer at a group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, or substance abuse treatment program, at least one year.
7. Relevant life experience in the child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice system as a consumer, mentor, or caregiver or other relevant experience as determined by the department.
8. A Group Home Child Care Staff who was hired prior to January 1, 2017 by a facility transitioning to a short-term residential therapeutic program shall not be required to meet the requirements of this section in order to remain employed in a STRTP.
9. Must be 21 years of age.
10. Valid California driver’s license.
11. Must meet insurance requirements.
12. Knowledge of the requirements for providing the type of care and supervision needed by the clients, including: ability to communicate with such clients, knowledge of and ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations, ability to implement the facility’s program.
13. Must have reliable transportation.
14. Ability to write legible.
15. Bilingual preferred but not required.
16. Must enjoy interacting with client ages 0 to 18 years of age.
17. Must be patient and energetic.
18. Excellent customer service skills.
19. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
20. Time management; ability to organize and manage multiple tasks.
21. Problem analysis and problem solving skills.
22. Initiative and adaptability.
23. Detail oriented.
24. Must be able to take direction from Administration and adjust to company’s needs.
25. Must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays.
26. Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
27. Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
28. Experience as a CNA, LVN, RN in a residential adult drug and alcohol treatment program; direct child care or direct supervision of clients in a residential treatment facility, clients authority camp, county juvenile halls and camp, public or private mental health day treatment program, or as a licensed or certified foster parent.
29. Employee is required to have a personnel record, an age affirmation affidavit, criminal background clearance, and confidentiality form on file.
30. Documentation of the required education and experience requirements shall be maintained in the personnel file.

Example of Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Knowledge and understanding of needs of residents served in a children’s residential setting.
2. Skill and ability to engage and develop rapport with children who have various backgrounds.
3. Skills and ability to provide consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions.
4. Skills to communicate effectively and ability to solve problems in a collaborative manner.
5. Provide daily supervision of residents in accordance with the policies of the facility.
6. Administration of consequences and setting of limits for behavior.
7. Stimulate the resident’s interest in various activities and programs provided by the facility.
8. Administer medication and first aid (if needed) as permitted by the policies of the facility.
9. Participate in group sessions employing the treatment model of the facility; and work with the assigned therapists with specific treatment plans for the residents.
10. Transportation to medical and dental appointments, school, or community group outings.
11. Prepare and teach preparation of meals.
12. Supervise each resident’s return from school.
13. Attend staff training sessions; as required and as scheduled.
14. Note daily activities in the appropriate logs.
15. Monitor household duties directed towards development of self-help skills that may be performed by residents in placement.
16. Participation in those duties shall be voluntary and specified in the needs and services plan.
17. Perform household duties. No household duties (e.g. cooking and laundering) shall go undone because a resident refused to participate.
18. Maintain the highest standards of professionalism when interacting with fellow team members, management, owners, neighbors, community, school, CCL, and others.
19. Documentation of daily activity and provide written or oral reports, as needed.
20. Any other duties that may be necessary to manage and administer the short-term residential therapeutic program.

Line of Supervision

Direct Care Staff reports directly to the Facility Manager and/or the Administrator.