I am a compassionate direct support professional and experienced group home leader dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities, neurological disabilities, and mental health needs. I bring experience in residential operations, in- home care, medication administration, behavior support, and individualized care. I foster safe, nurturing environments that promote independence, dignity, creativity, and community involvement, and I am seeking clients that I can contribute my leadership skills while continuing to grow. I'm a phone call or text away!!
Skills
- Direct support and personal care
- Activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Developmental disabilities and special needs support
- Autism support
- Dementia and Alzheimer's care
- Behavioral health and behavior management
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation
- Medication administration
- Individual and group counseling
- Case management
- Staff supervision, training, and scheduling
- Group home management
- Individualized care planning and documentation
- Meal preparation and dietary support
- Client transportation and appointment coordination
- Program finances and budgeting
- Communication and time management
- Teaching and special education support
- Social work
- Customer service and account management
- Microsoft Office and Windows
- Dancing and music
Licenses and certifications
- DDD online training completed
- Medication Administration: August 2015 to present
- Abuse/Neglect: August 2015 to present
- CPR/First Aid: October 2024 to October 2026; infant, child, and adult CPR
- Driver's license
- Child Development Associate course and hours completed
- Crisis Prevention / Active Shooter & Safety Training
Awards and achievements
- Professional Service Award — Advancing Opportunities, January 2018: Recognized for excellent professional service and leading by example.
- Customer Service Award — Advancing Opportunities, November 2017: Recognized for professionalism during challenging situations, staff leadership, and prioritizing clients and families.
Lead Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Oct 2024 - Present
Penn Reach
- Assist with administration and supervision of multiple group homes, sharing responsibilities with the group home coordinator.
- Supervise and train staff, manage program and client finances, and uphold agency and licensing regulations.
- Support residents with daily living, medication administration, behavior protocols, care plans, appointments, and community activities.
- Prepare menus and activity schedules, coordinate shopping budgets, participate in IDT and BSP meetings
- Maintain current IEE and IEP documentation, conduct monthly fire drills, and maintain a safe residential environment and company vehicle.
Personal Caregiver
Aug 2023 - Present
Public Partnerships/ Palco
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Providing in home care to elderly clients or clients who need assistance in daily living.
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Transportation: Helping clients get to appointments and help engage in social activities.
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Medication management: Making sure patients take their medication correctly, on time, and in the correct dosage; Calling in refills and documentation.
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Personal hygiene assistance: Helping clients with bathing, dressing, grooming and all hygiene needs.
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Companionship: Providing emotional support, fun, eventful experiences and developing a warm relationship with clients.
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Food preparation: Preparing meals, washing dishes, and feeding clients if needed.
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Housekeeping: Keeping the home clean and tidy, laundry and shopping household.
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Socialization: Encouraging clients to participate in community activities.
Life-Skills Trainer/ Sub
Feb 2019 - Dec 2021
Rehabilitation Specialist
- Supported individuals with neurological disabilities in maintaining independence and community integration.
- Assisted with personal care, daily tasks, exercise, medication administration, transportation, and activities based on individualized treatment plans.
- Taught cooking, cleaning, and money management skills; organized community outings.
- Monitored behavior and progress; completed shift documentation.
- Held staff meetings when needed for the residential manager.
Group Home Manager, Residential Support Lead, Residential Support Specialist
Jan 2016 - Jan 2021
Advancing Opportunities
- Provides on-site care to adults with developmental disabilities, behaviors and mental health.
- Currently following CDS, DDD and DHS health and safety protocols for COVID-19 in the residential homes.
- Maintains all around care and functionality of the group home environment.
- Mentors the residential support staff, provides on-site training to support staff.
- Takes initiative to implement different strategies in the best interest of all individuals.
- Provides direct services that supports growth, promotes independence and ensures safety of individuals.
- Assists when necessary in personal care, activities of daily living skills, household management, recreation, transportation, medical appointments, community involvement and daily goals for all individuals.
- Initiates, supports and ensures quality of life through empowerment, reflects good ethical and moral conduct and a therapeutic environment for all.
- Monitors overall health needs, specialized diets, weekly menus, doctor appointments and any medication changes and follow ups.
- Completes required daily documentation, demonstrates understanding of medication policy and auditing of medication administration.
- Documents and follows proper procedures for daily behaviors, unusual incidents, accidents and any other inforation that pertains to each individuals care.
- Performs all duties as deemed necessary by supervisor.
- Communicates closely with Supervisor, completes scheduling and coverage, very flexible when needed to work on shift.
- Able to communicate effectively with individuals, families, staff, management teams and outside resources etc.
- Set examples through commitment to the job and a passionate effort to excel.
- Completes all weekly and monthly reports/ paperwork, ISP's, experienced with going Fee for Service, monthly staff meetings/ manager meeting etc.
- Maintains a professional relationship with guardians and support coordinators in regards to the well being of the individuals.
- Encourages an active lifestyle and follows the service plan for all individuals to provide the best quality of life.
Companion/ Caregiver
Jan 2015 - Dec 2020
Senior Helpers
- Assists elderly clients with daily living activities and social skills.
- Meal prep and daily sanitary of on-site or residential environment.
- Followed care plan, company regulations, and safety practices at all times.
- Dusted, cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed, and laundry when needed.
- Interacted with family members and getting complete information of patient needs and daily routine.
- Provided compassionate, gentle, and reliable care to residents with mental health, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and developmental disabilities.
Direct Care Professional
Jan 2014 - Oct 2015
Community Options
- Assisted in daily living tasks such as brushing teeth, bathing, dressing.
- Assured that meals were prepared in accordance to each of the resident’s health plans.
- Reported/documented any incidents, behaviors and daily activities to the manager.
- Able to adjust quickly to various work environments and individuals.
- Encouraged residents to live life independently by engaging them in developmental activities and dialogue.
- Administered prescribed medications under the written direction of physician or home care nurse.
- Assisted patients with mobility in and out of beds, baths, shower chairs, wheelchairs, or vehicle.
- Entertained, conversed with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
- Accompanied clients to doctor appointments and on other trips outside the home.
Teacher's Assistant /Floater
Feb 2013 - Jun 2015
Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne/ Positive Place Daycare
- Served great nurturing skills to special needs children ranging in age from infants to age 17.
- Provided care and assistance to special needs students individually or in small groups.
- Completed daily lesson assignments.
- Prepared and served daily lunch and snack.
- Monitored students in a variety of settings such as a classroom, playground or field trip outing.
- Mainained classroom equipment, work area and electronic files and records.
- Reported observations and incidents relating to specific students of special needs.
- Documented any accidents, appropriate and/or inappropriate social behavior and/or violations of rules or safety guidelines.
Teacher's Assistant
Oct 2011 - Nov 2013
Michael's Energy Factory
- Excellent customer service and parent interaction.
- Supervised children from infant to pre-k.
- Experienced in working with special needs children.
- Maintained order, security, and sanitation of the classrooms.
- Provided first aid treatment as necessary with nurture and care.
- Provided age appropriate games, indoor and outdoor activities, to build fine and gross motor skills.
- Followed proper care when cleaning and changing a child's pamper or clothing garments.
- Well versed in providing affection and interaction with children positively.
Group Counselor/ Head Dance Instructor
Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
YMCA of Paterson
- Maintained positive relations with parents and staff.
- Supervised children in planned activities indoor and outdoor.
- Maintained proper cleanliness and daily safety standards.
- Attended staff meetings and trainings.
- Demonstrated actions of a good role model.
- Promoted proper health and hygiene to school age children and young adults.
- Counseled children with homework check, understanding and completion.
- Promoted to Head Dance Instructor of the dance program at all sites.
Diploma
Sep 2000 - Jun 2004
Eastside High School
Psychology (Associate)
Jan 2019 - Apr 2019
Passaic County Community College
Business Management (Associate)
Sep 2004 - Jul 2026
Berkeley College