Direct Support Professional (DSP) – Children’s Waiver Home

About Premier Host Homes

Premier Host Homes supports individuals with intellectual disabilities in homes where they can feel safe, supported and genuinely known.

This position works within our RBSCL program, which provides waiver-home services for children with intellectual disabilities. Our goal is to give every child a safe, stable and supportive home while helping them learn life skills, participate in their community and experience a fulfilling childhood.

At Premier, member care is always our first priority. We believe the children we support deserve more than basic care—they deserve patience, encouragement, relationships, activities, laughter, new experiences and people who genuinely want to see them succeed.

Care truly comes first.

The Role

Direct Support Professionals are the heart of the home. They spend the most time with our members and have a direct impact on how safe, supported and valued each child feels.

This role is about much more than completing a checklist. You will build trusting relationships, provide daily support, teach life skills, plan activities and help children become more independent.

Some days may include crafts, games, community outings or helping with homework. Other days may require remaining calm during a difficult situation, using de-escalation skills, helping a child regulate their emotions or maintaining firm and appropriate boundaries.

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with children and wants to help them live safer, happier and more fulfilling lives.

What You’ll Be Responsible ForProviding Excellent Member Care

• Learn each child’s personality, communication style, interests, routines, strengths, goals and support needs.
• Treat every member with dignity, patience, kindness and respect.
• Provide supervision and support based on each child’s individual needs.
• Follow all safety plans, rights restrictions, behavior support plans and member-specific instructions.
• Recognize and report changes in a child’s health, mood, behavior, functioning or safety.
• Maintain strong professional boundaries, even during emotionally challenging situations.
• Protect member confidentiality, privacy and individual rights.
• Immediately report health, safety or abuse concerns through the appropriate channels.
• Help create a home where children feel safe, supported and genuinely cared for.

Supporting Growth and Independence

• Teach and reinforce age-appropriate life skills.
• Help members practice personal hygiene, household responsibilities, communication, decision-making, budgeting and community skills.
• Encourage members to make choices and participate in decisions about their daily lives.
• Support each child’s individual goals and document their progress.
• Use everyday situations as opportunities to teach independence.
• Celebrate progress while remaining patient when skills take time to develop.
• Focus on helping members build fulfilling lives—not simply completing required tasks.

Activities and Community Involvement

• Help members participate in activities based on their interests, goals and abilities.
• Plan and lead crafts, games, cooking projects and other engaging activities within the home.
• Support members during community outings, appointments, school activities and recreational events.
• Encourage children to try new experiences, build relationships and participate in their communities.
• Help make ordinary days enjoyable, meaningful and fun.
• Follow all transportation and community-safety expectations.

Communication and De-escalation

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with members, coworkers, supervisors, families and other members of the support team.
• Provide accurate shift handoffs and communicate important information promptly.
• Remain calm, patient and professional during challenging behaviors or stressful situations.
• Use approved de-escalation strategies and behavior supports.
• Avoid power struggles and respond to behavior with curiosity, consistency and understanding.
• Maintain firm, healthy boundaries while continuing to show compassion.
• Ask questions when clarification is needed and immediately communicate urgent concerns.
• Accept feedback and use it to improve the quality of support provided.

Maintaining the Home

• Maintain a clean, organized and welcoming home environment.
• Complete routine cleaning and household responsibilities during each shift.
• Assist with laundry, dishes, meal preparation and general organization.
• Help members participate in household responsibilities based on their abilities.
• Monitor groceries, personal-care items and household supplies and report when items are running low.
• Report maintenance, sanitation or safety concerns promptly.
• Respect the home as the member’s living space—not simply a workplace.

Documentation and Medication Support

• Complete Daily SCL documentation and member-goal tracking accurately and within required timelines.
• Document meaningful information rather than vague or incomplete statements.
• Complete handoff forms, mileage records, General Event Reports and other required documentation.
• Use Therap and Rippling to complete assigned documentation, training, scheduling and employment-related tasks.
• Follow medication-administration policies and document medication support accurately when trained and authorized.
• Report medication concerns, errors or changes immediately.
• Complete all required training and maintain assigned certifications.

Who We’re Looking For

You may be a great fit if you are patient, dependable and naturally good with children.

You understand that behavior is often communication.

You can remain calm when a child is struggling, maintain appropriate boundaries and continue treating them with dignity—even during difficult moments.

The right person will be:

• Genuinely passionate about helping children live better lives
• Patient, compassionate and emotionally steady
• An excellent communicator
• Skilled at remaining calm and using de-escalation techniques
• Able to maintain strong professional boundaries
• Dependable and consistent about arriving on time and completing responsibilities
• Comfortable supporting children with intellectual disabilities and behavioral needs
• Willing to participate in activities, crafts, outings and everyday life with members
• Able to maintain a clean, safe and organized home
• Open to coaching, feedback and continued learning
• Able to work independently while remaining part of a team
• Detail-oriented and capable of completing accurate documentation
• Someone who brings positive energy into the home

Preferred Experience

Experience working with children or individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities is preferred but not always required.

Experience in HCBS, childcare, education, behavioral health, healthcare, residential services or direct care is helpful.

Previous experience with Therap and Rippling is a plus.

Schedule and Work Environment

RBSCL homes operate around the clock. Available shifts may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays.

Employees must be dependable and able to remain alert, engaged and responsive throughout their scheduled shifts.This position may involve assisting members with personal care, completing household tasks, participating in community activities and responding to behavioral or emotional needs.

Compensation and Opportunity

• Starting pay of $20–$24 per hour, depending on experience
• Meaningful work that positively affects the lives of children and families
• Opportunities to develop valuable skills in behavioral support, communication and person-centered care
• The chance to join a growing company that places member care first

Our Culture

Premier is built by people who care deeply, work hard and still know how to have fun.We value honest communication, teamwork, accountability and people who bring solutions—not just problems. We want employees who will protect the positive and supportive culture of the home while maintaining high expectations for member care and safety.

Good vibes. Good people. Good life.

Before You Apply

Please apply if you are ready to be dependable, communicate openly, maintain appropriate boundaries and care about the quality of life of the children you support.

This is not a position where you simply supervise children or pass the time during a shift. Our DSPs are expected to engage with members, teach skills, participate in activities, maintain the home and help each child make meaningful progress.

If you want work that matters and an opportunity to positively influence a child’s life, we would love to meet you.

Apply through Indeed with a current résumé. Be prepared to discuss how you handle communication, boundaries, stressful situations, teamwork and supporting children through difficult moments.

Care truly comes first.

Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32.0 – 40.0 per week

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to pass a background and abuse registries check?

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $24