Tips & Tools to find a Support Worker

Although PAI does not connect Individuals with Support Workers, many people have made connections using the tips and tools listed below.

Hire your family and friends! This can be parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

Consider the people in your community. Natural supports are people in the community who already have a connection with the individual needing support. They can be friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, or members of their religious or civic organizations.

To identify potential natural supports, consider the following:

• Fellow churchgoers: If the individual is religious, they may have friends or family members at their church who could be supportive.
• Local barber or beautician: If the individual gets their hair cut or styled regularly, they may have a good relationship with their barber or beautician.
• Neighbors: If the individual lives in a neighborhood, they may have neighbors who they wave to or chat with on occasion.
• Barista at a coffee shop: If the individual frequents a coffee shop, they may have a good relationship with the employees there.
• Volunteer coordinator: If the individual volunteers, they may have a good relationship with the volunteer coordinator or other fellow volunteers.
• Place of work: If the individual has a job in their community, they may have a good relationship with their supervisors or co-workers.

It is important to talk to the individual about their thoughts on natural supports. They may have some specific people in mind who they would like to be involved in their support network.

Consider creating a job posting to share on your local community social media page. This can be a great way to connect with community members who are seeking work.

Post Fliers. Create a “Now Hiring” flier and post it at your local community center, high school, college, grocery store, coffee shop, and/or other facilities in town that are frequently trafficked.

JOB BOARDS

Care.com is a marketplace that connects caregivers with people in need. Caregivers can create profiles that showcase their skills and experience, and people can post job listings for the care they need. Caregivers can then apply for jobs that match their skills and availability.

Directsupportconnect.com is a free online platform provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) that connects employers and job seekers in the direct support workforce. Employers can create profiles to post open positions, and job seekers can create profiles to showcase their skills and availability.

MinnesotaWorks.net is a free online job board that connects Minnesota employers and job seekers. It is operated by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

Tips for recruiting a support worker:

• Be specific in your job posting. The more details you provide about the position, the more likely you are to attract the right candidates. This includes the desired schedule, type of job tasks, age requirements, experience requirements, and location of the job.
• Screen candidates carefully. Once you have received applications, take the time to screen each candidate carefully. This includes reviewing their resumes, references, and any other relevant information. You may also want to conduct phone interviews or online assessments.
• Interview candidates in person. The best way to get to know a candidate is to interview them in person. This will give you a chance to see how they interact with you and the individual they will be working with. Ask questions about their experience, skills, and why they are interested in the position.
• Get references. Once you have found a few candidates that you are interested in, ask for their references. This will give you a chance to speak to people who have worked with the candidates in the past.
• Make an offer. Once you have found the right candidate, make them an offer and contact PAI for a New Hire Packet.