Job Summary
Claratel Behavioral Health is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization offering a full range of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services to underserved individuals. As a public, not-for-profit organization, Claratel Behavioral Health operates in more than 20 locations in DeKalb County, Georgia, with a diverse workforce of more than 400 direct-care and support staff.
A Behavior‑Focused Home Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides compassionate, one‑on‑one support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or other conditions with high behavioral and high‑acuity needs. The DSP partners with the person to implement their Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and Behavioral Support Plan (BSP) in ways that honor their preferences, strengths, communication style, and daily routines.
This role includes supporting the person in understanding and reducing maladaptive behaviors by teaching meaningful replacement skills, reinforcing progress, and creating supportive environments that promote success. The DSP uses proactive and evidence‑based behavioral strategies including sensory regulation supports, de‑escalation, and crisis‑prevention techniques to help the person feel safe, build independence, and stay connected to their community.
Responsibilities include noticing and responding to signs of distress, documenting growth and challenges respectfully, and maintaining calm, respectful interactions during heightened moments. Throughout all support, the DSP centers the individual’s dignity, choices, and personal goals, ensuring their unique needs as a high‑acuity individual are consistently met in a positive and empowering way.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Support individuals in personalized activities of daily living and social skills development. This may include assisting and supporting individuals in all environments (the community, at work and at home) so that the individual is able to learn, practice and master skills that enable him/her to enhance his/her status by assuming valued social roles.• Ensure that the health, safety and well-being of individuals are met. This will include following all instructions given by the Primary Care Physician, Nursing staff, etc. and may include following a well-balanced diet prepared to meet individual needs.• Report changes in the condition of individual and/or any unusual occurrences related to an individual to Supervisor or Management staff in a timely manner. Report any SIGNIFICANT changes in the condition of an individual IMMEDIATELY.• Report environmental risks/hazardous/barriers to Supervisor or Management in a timely manner.• Ensure individual’s possessions are safeguarded. This will include ensuring that the individual’s money and possessions are maintained in a secure manner.• Assist individuals in maintaining order and cleanliness in their environment(s).• Provide input into the planning and implementation strategies of individual’s plan of care (to include the individual’s Support Plan and Behavior Support Plan).• Implement Individual Support Plans (ISP)/Behavior Support Plans (BSP) and strategies as written and at the frequency stated in the ISP/BSP.• Demonstrate accurate data collection procedures and consistent use of described support strategies that promote success.• Document services provided including: individualized service goals (from ISP), behavior support tracking, required notes and all other required documentation.• Support individuals to manage moderate behavioral challenges; includes elopement, physical aggression, verbal aggression, property destruction, and PICA.• Complete incident reports using the online system. Ensure the report includes required information (who was involved, what happened, where did it happen, when did it happen, etc.)• Transport individuals to medical appointments, community activities or other assigned and desired…