LifeSharing Provider

Do you have a spare bedroom, a welcoming home, and a genuine interest in making a difference in someone's life? Are you dependable and caring? Do you want to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life while becoming a part of a supportive team? Are you willing to open your home to adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism? If you are, Lifesharing may be a great opportunity for you!

Lifesharing means opening your home and sharing everyday life with an individual while providing the support they need to live safely, independently, and meaningfully in their home and community. Each Lifesharing arrangement is based on the individual's needs, preferences, interests, and Individual Support Plan.

Responsibilities

Lifesharing Providers are responsible for providing support based on the individual's needs and Individual Support Plan. Responsibilities may include:

• Providing a safe, comfortable, and supportive home environment.
• Providing appropriate supervision based on the individual's assessed needs.
• Supporting individual hygiene and personal care needs as applicable.
• Preparing and providing adequate, nutritious meals and snacks.
• Assisting with household routines and daily living skills.
• Providing transportation to appointments, activities, community events, and other necessary destinations.
• Supporting participation in community activities, social opportunities, hobbies, volunteer opportunities, and other activities meaningful to the individual.
• Encouraging independence, choice-making, skill development, and self-advocacy.
• Supporting medical and healthcare needs, including attending appointments and following health-related instructions as applicable.
• Assisting with medications when required.
• Completing required daily documentation and progress notes regarding the individual's services, activities, needs, and progress.
• Maintaining required financial records and documentation related to the individual's funds when applicable.
• Participating in monthly meetings/check-ins with the Step By Step Program Manager.
• Communicating with the individual's family members, Supports Coordinator, other service providers and other members of the individual's support team as necessary.
• Participating in team meetings and helping coordinate services when appropriate.
• Following Step By Step policies, the individual's Individual Support Plan, and applicable Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Office of Developmental Programs requirements.

Your Home

Because Lifesharing takes place in the provider's home, the home must meet applicable Step By Step and Pennsylvania licensing requirements before an individual can move in.

The individual must have an appropriate bedroom that meets applicable requirements, including:

• The bedroom cannot be located in a basement, or be a shared bedroom.

· A single bedroom must have at least 50 square feet of space and requires a closet or wardrobe space with clothing racks and shelves accessible to the individual.

• The bedroom must have at least one exterior window that provides a view of the outside, have appropriate window coverings and a door with a key lock.
• The individual must have a bed appropriate to their needs.
• A clean, comfortable mattress and solid foundation.
• Appropriate bedding, including a pillow, linens, and blankets.

The home must also meet applicable health and safety requirements, including requirements related to sanitation, ventilation, hot water, bathrooms, kitchen facilities, fire safety, emergency information, medications, and other environmental conditions.

Your home must inspect and approve by Step By Step, Inc. before an individual moves in, and the home must continue to meet applicable licensing requirements.

Training & Requirements

Lifesharing Providers must complete required clearances, screenings, orientation, and training before and/or during their service as required.

Requirements include:

• Completion of required background checks and clearances.
• Required physical and health documentation.
• Completion of required Lifesharing orientation.
• At least 24 hours of annual training related to job skills and knowledge.

· CPR and First Aid training prior to an individual living in the home and bi-annually thereafter.

• Additional training based on the needs of the individual being supported.
• Medication administration training if the individual's needs require the provider to administer medications.
• Additional specialized training when required by the individual's needs or support plan.

Compensation & Substitute Care

Lifesharing Providers receive a daily stipend based on the needs and support level of the individual.

Current starting rates are:

• One-individual home: Starting at $123 per day
• Two-individual home: Starting at $96 per day, per individual

Lifesharing Providers are eligible for up to 30 days of substitute care per year, prorated as applicable, allowing the provider to take time away while maintaining appropriate support for the individual.

Substitute care must be arranged and approved in accordance with Step By Step requirements.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for people who are:

• Dependable and responsible.
• Patient, compassionate, and respectful.
• Comfortable sharing their home and daily life with another person.
• Willing to support someone else's choices, independence, and goals.
• Comfortable communicating with a team and completing required documentation.
• Willing to learn and complete required training.
• Interested in helping another person become an active member of their community.

Prior experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism is helpful, but not required. Step By Step provides the required training and ongoing support.

Step By Step is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Step By Step, we are committed to and value an inclusive and diverse workforce and we believe that diversity and inclusion among our workforce is critical to our success. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, parental status and any other characteristics or protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. All employment decisions are based upon qualifications, merit, and business necessity.

Pay: From $123.00 per day

Benefits:

• Paid training

Work Location: In person

Salary : $96 - $123