DDS Summer Urban Youth | Northeast Region | Direct Care Worker

Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is sponsoring a great program called the "Urban Youth Collaborative". This program offers students between the ages of 18 and 24 the opportunity to enrich the lives of both the students and the individuals receiving supports within the Northeast Region.

The goal of this program is to give young adults exposure into the field of Human Services, enabling them to strongly consider a career supporting people with developmental disabilities. The human services field has career opportunities as lawyers, accountants, program directors, residential staff, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and a wide range of other roles. The DDS Northeast Region is seeking hard working and compassionate candidates to serve as interns direct care.

Northeast Residential Services (NRS) is comprised of 78 Residential State Operated homes across the Northeast Region of Massachusetts for 340 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This exciting opportunity enables the intern to build connections and friendships with other program participants as well as meaningful relationships with the people we support. Each intern will gain invaluable life experience that will serve to inform their future career path.

In addition, the relationships that are established with the people we support with be life changing. Each internship can also be customized to provide valuable experience based on your field of study as well potentially lead to future growth opportunities within DDS. Young adults within Urban Youth Collaborative Program are here to advocate for and follow through with the activities people want to engage in. Spanning across the North Shore, Merrimack Valley, Metro North, Central Middlesex and Lowell areas, interns in the Northeast have many opportunities for community engagement while providing support to individuals aged 22 and older.

The program opens in the middle of May and runs to Labor Day Weekend, this Summer session is restricted to a maximum 90-day appointment. It will be necessary for participants to be available for the entire summer, and unfortunately no vacations will be granted. All participants must have a valid drivers' license.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide both personal care support and participate in the involvement of the individuals into the community.
• Support & encourage interaction and integration into the community for the individuals.
• Accompany the individuals on frequent community outings and day trips such as attend concerts, Patriot’s training camp, trips to aquariums, restaurants, libraries, and local coffee shops.
• Planning, setting up, and leading a variety of activities at the individual’s residences. Activities include, but are not limited to: music and movement, arts & crafts, cooking and baking, and social events such as coffee and ice cream get togethers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to assist and facilitate activities of daily living, such as household maintenance, self-care and hygiene, food shopping and preparation, budgeting, leisure activities and social skill development.
• Capability to assist/lift individuals with physical disabilities and/or limited mobility.

Urban Youth Collaborative Requirements:

• Applicant must be between 18-24 years old.
• Have a valid driver's license.
• Must have a reliable form of transportation.

Please Note:

Schedule: These positions will be on either the first and second shifts with specified days off.

Pay: All State employees are paid bi-weekly through direct deposit. Current Urban Youth Collaborative pay rate is $22.09/hour.

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds