EPHS SUPPORTS & SERVICES

EPHS management and their trained direct support professionals provide a broad range of services and supports in both residential and community-based settings that are focused on meeting person-centered needs and challenges of individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism (ID/A). To promote individuals’ ability to govern their own lives with dignity and respect, each individual receives support and services based on the assessment of their individual plan and specific unique needs and challenges. Thus, to realize and achieve these objectives, EPHS provides the following outcome-based supports and services:

Community Homes

Community homes are residential homes within the community settings where one or three individuals reside. Our trained Direct Support Professionals provide direct care and support services that are tailored to the specific needs of each individual. In most cases, direct care and support is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Direct Support Professionals teach skills to promote increasing levels of independence, choice, and control in one’s life; and support each person to live a meaningful, inclusive life within their community. Some of the customized direct care plans include supporting the individuals to develop skills in the following areas: activities of daily living; household, cooking, and money management; promotion of individual rights, citizenship, interests, and talents; building and maintaining positive relationships and participation in the community and with family and friends; promotion of health, safety, and wellness practices; and promotion of life-long learning and education.

In-Home & Community Supports

We provide support and services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who live in their homes or community settings. Our Direct Support Professionals help them gain, maintain, and improve skills that allow them to enhance their personal growth, live independently, and participate in their local communities.

Community Participation Supports

Our Community Participation Supports program helps individuals we support to get involved in community-based activities. This service is expected to assist them in developing and sustaining a range of valued social roles and relationships; building natural supports; increasing independence; increasing potential for employment; and experiencing meaningful community participation and inclusion.

Respite Services

We provide respite care services (out-of-home) to allow primary caregivers to take a much-needed relief or break from the demands of taking care of individual(s) with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Supported Living

For adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities living independently and safely in their homes or apartments, our Direct Support Professionals provide them with personalized assistance based on an individual's preference for lifestyle, schedule, and support needs. This form of support and assistance may include helping with budgeting, cooking, transportation to medical appointments, paying bills, and medication administration.

Behavior Support Services

The individuals we support at times may need services to address their behavioral needs to promote their independence, self-reliance and inclusion within family and community life settings. Our trained behavior specialists conduct initial assessments to determine the need for behavioral support and then deploy appropriate approaches and interventions to address behavioral needs of the individuals we support.

6400 Consulting Group

EPHS also offers consultancy and technical assistance to human service agencies in the areas of ODP regulations and policies; quality assurance and compliance; investigations; and program and service evaluations.

ABOUT US

The mission of East Penn Human Services is to provide support systems that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have meaningful life choices and opportunities. Informed by person-centered planning and practices, our mission focuses on supporting individuals to increase their self-determination and independence and to be able to make their own choices as to what is important to them to achieve a fulfilling life.

EPHS Core Values

EPHS core values evolve around an “Inclusion-For-All'' framework where we believe that just like all other citizens, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the same rights, choices, and limitless opportunities in life. We believe that everyone deserves the right to achieve their fullest potential and to live a life of possibilities. Thus, our cornerstone values include:

• Respect of individual Rights and Dignity: We strive to create enabling environment that values and respects people and their rights.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We constantly work toward strengthening our organization through diversity in our workforce, individuals supported, and actively support and infuse anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and anti-bias initiatives in all aspects and levels of the organization.
• Professionalism, Responsibility, & Integrity: EPHS strive to conduct all its work with strict adherence to the highest ethical standards, transparency, and professionalism.
• High-Quality Service-Delivery: We constantly seek to pursue the highest standards of performance and service delivery that addresses specific needs and challenges of the individuals we support.

East Penn Human Services is currently seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to join our dedicated team in making a positive difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

DSP- Direct Support Professional Position

Job Summary

The role of Direct Support Professional is to support and assist individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism to become independent, make choices, decisions, and live a meaningful dignified life with valued social roles. Direct Support Professional facilitates and promotes the implementation of person-centered programmatic needs of individuals as outlined in the individual plan.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Support and assist individuals with daily living skills such as cooking/meal preparations, grocery shopping, feeding, personal care and hygiene, and general housekeeping chores.
• Administer and document medications and associated protocols.
• Write service notes, maintain individual progress records, and immediately report any changes in individual condition(s) to the home supervisor.
• Promote and advocate for the health, safety, wellness, and rights of all individuals.
• Support individuals to access community resources, develop relationships in the community, and communicate with families and friends.
• Transport individuals to medical appointments, shopping errands, recreational activities/events, and work sites/day programs.

Required Experience

No experience required. Some experience working directly with individuals with an intellectual disability or autism is preferred but not required.

Required Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Required Qualifications

At least 18 years of age Valid PA driver’s license with good driving record. Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Effective oral and written communication skills. Successful completion of required trainings including First Aid and CPR certifications and other state- mandated trainings. Successful completion of the pre-employment process, including motor vehicle record and criminal background checks. Ability to support and implement EPHS Mission & Values.

East Penn Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age or sex or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws.

Disclaimer: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.