SELF DIRECTION TIPS

THINGS FOR THE PERSON DIRECTING SERVICES TO REMEMBER

The person directing services has the ability to decide how Direct Service Worker services will be provided.  You will choose who will work, when they will work, and what they will do when they are working.

Life Patterns staff will help in all of these areas but YOU must become an EMPLOYER.  You will interview people, you will hire the person, you will train the person to do the job, you will oversee their work, evaluate their job performance, and you will need to terminate the person if they are not meeting expectations.

When interviewing and hiring Direct Service Workers, be picky, don’t settle for the first person you talk to.  This person will become a part of your family.  They will be in your home and spending time with your family member with a disability.

Training is a big responsibility and very important if you are to be comfortable with the person you hire.  Training should be detailed and specific to the person receiving service so the Direct Service Worker is confident and comfortable with their job. 

Terminating an employee is difficult.  If you need to fire someone keep notes on what happened that caused the separation.  You will need to notify Life Patterns, Inc. of the termination and details.