Jill’s caregiving helps people with disabilities continue to live and work in their communities and has led to strong relationships she treasures.
“I am currently working as a Direct Support Professional – going on 21 years! It is hard work but rewarding knowing you are helping someone to remain in their home instead of going to a nursing home,” said Jill “The family of the person I assist considers me part of their family.”
Jill got a start in the profession at age 17 working at the Faribault Regional Center in 1979 and never left the Direct Support Professional career path, although she has added other roles to it.
“I Started as a Human Services Technician, then Job Coach and then was hired by DHS in the HIV/AIDS unit as Office and Administrative Support. I later moved to the Disability Services Division where I am the Office and Administrative Support Senior Lead in which part of my job is still to provide assistance to employees with disabilities. Throughout my career, I have always been a caregiver.”
This is what Jill would say to a friend considering work as a Direct Support Professional: “You get paid while you are helping someone out and keeping them in the community. You can choose how many hours you want to work and when you want to work. My experience with being a Direct Support Professional helped me get where I am today. It also helped me assist family members when they needed or still need care. It also provided me an opportunity to establish relationships that I never would have developed otherwise.”
If you are interested in working as a Direct Support Professional or learning more about the profession, visit DirectSupportConnect.com or talk with a specialist at a CareerForce location near you.
