Direct Support Professional (Part-time Weekends)

Our Mission:

To empower adults with disabilities to live self-sufficiently while remaining connected to their communities. Doing so with Respect, Integrity and Transparency.

What we offer:

• Paid Training
• 401k
• Paid Orientation
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Flexible Schedules
• Employee Assistance Program
• Promotion opportunities.

This Role Is Not For Everyone — And That's Okay

This work is not glamorous. It takes someone who is patient, empathetic, and deeply responsible. There will be times when progress feels slow or even non-existent. It requires perseverance in the face of real challenges — and due to Medicaid reimbursement structures, sometimes for pay that doesn't feel proportionate to the weight of the work.

You will encounter clients who have significant behavioral challenges. You may support individuals who need total assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating. Some clients are non-verbal, and understanding their communication takes time and genuine effort. You will be expected to cover shifts during staffing shortages — not because it's convenient, but because the level of care our clients require demands it.

If you are looking for an easy job, this is not it.

But if you are someone who feels called to this work — who operates with integrity when no one is watching, who shows up on time and fully present, who finds meaning in making a real difference in someone's daily life — then keep reading.

What a Great Day Looks Like

Picture this: It's 3:00 PM and you've just arrived at a client's home. They've had a long day at their day program and aren't in the mood to engage. You make a few suggestions for something fun out in the community. Their eyes light up. They choose a movie they've been wanting to see for months but never had anyone to go with. Afterward they tell you: "Even on a bad day, I love having you around to pick my spirits up."

Or picture this: You've been working with a high-needs client on hand mobility for months. The progress has seemed invisible — until one day, they move their hand independently for a few seconds and write their name on a piece of paper. A small win that means everything — not just because they did it, but because you never gave up on them. That perseverance is something they carry with them long after the moment passes.

These are the moments that define this work. They don't happen every day. But when they do, they remind you why you chose it.

What You Will Learn From the People You Support

People with developmental disabilities have a great deal to teach those willing to pay attention:

• Presence — They engage with the moment fully, without the distraction of social performance or constant future planning.

• Authentic connection — They see people genuinely, cutting past status and social roles in ways most of us have forgotten how to do.

• Joy — Uncomplicated, unselfconscious delight in small things. Something most adults have quietly lost.

• Resilience — They navigate a world not designed for them every single day, with adaptability that deserves far more acknowledgment than it receives.

• What actually matters — Time with these individuals recalibrates your priorities. Connection, safety, and being valued move to the front.

• Unconditional acceptance — A quality rare in adult relationships, and one that leaves a lasting impression on every DSP who experiences it.

Who We Are Looking For

This role is for people who feel called to do it — not because they need a job, but because they want to make a genuine difference. Ask yourself:

• Are you respectful toward your fellow citizens — including those whose lives look very different from your own?

• Do you operate with integrity even when no one is watching?

• Are you transparent in the decisions you make on the job?

• Do you show up on time and give your full attention to the people who depend on you?

• Are you mature enough to handle hard moments without losing your composure?

If yes — we want to hear from you.

Core Responsibilities

• Support clients in daily living activities including personal hygiene, meal preparation, and household tasks

• Accompany and assist clients in community activities and appointments

• Implement individualized support plans developed by the care team

• Document services accurately and completely per Ohio DODD requirements

• Communicate proactively with supervisors regarding client needs or concerns

• Maintain client dignity, privacy, and respect at all times

• Cover shifts as needed to ensure continuity of care

Requirements

• 18 years of age or older

• Valid Ohio driver's license and reliable transportation

• Ability to pass background check and pre-employment screening

• High school diploma or GED

• Prior experience in human services, caregiving, or a related field preferred but not required — we train the right people

The Bigger Picture

Over 1.6 million Ohioans live with some form of disability. Approximately 362,000 Ohio adults have a developmental disability specifically. In Stark County alone — a community of 374,000 people — there are individuals and families who depend on DSPs like you to maintain their independence, stay in their homes, and remain connected to their communities.

If this resonates with you, we want to meet you.

Apply directly through Indeed or send a message telling us a little about yourself and why this work matters to you. Applications that speak to mission will always get our attention first.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve.

Pay: From $16.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid orientation
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Shift availability:

• Night Shift (Required)
• Day Shift (Required)
• Overnight Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Canton, OH 44708 (Required)

Work Location: In person