At Have Haven Residential Treatment Center, Direct Care Staff play an essential role in supporting children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. Team members provide daily supervision, guidance, and encouragement while helping residents build life skills, develop healthy behaviors, and achieve personal growth. Staff collaborate with therapists, case managers, educators, and other professionals to create a stable, nurturing environment that promotes safety, healing, and successful transitions into family or community placements.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain a secure, organized, and supportive living environment for all residents.
- Apply the Love & Logic approach when interacting with youth and managing behaviors.
- Ensure continuous awareness of each assigned resident's location, activities, and overall well-being.
- Deliver attentive, individualized care that meets each child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
- Provide appropriate supervision at all times to protect the safety and welfare of residents.
- Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies or situations that require intervention.
- Adjust supervision based on each child's age, abilities, behavioral needs, environmental risks, and individual care plan.
- Remain actively engaged throughout the facility by routinely monitoring residents rather than remaining seated for extended periods.
- Encourage independence by teaching daily living skills and promoting age-appropriate responsibility.
- Reinforce positive behavior through praise, encouragement, and consistent redirection in accordance with each resident's behavior support plan.
- Teach and assist residents with personal hygiene, grooming, household chores, laundry, and other essential life skills.
- Maintain cleanliness throughout the residence, including completing laundry and ensuring shared spaces meet health and safety standards.
- Limit personal cell phone use while on duty except in emergency situations.
- Carry out individualized service plans and follow established treatment goals.
- Facilitate group activities, discussions, and problem-solving sessions under the guidance of program leadership.
- Maintain open communication with supervisors, administrators, and clinical staff regarding resident progress, concerns, or changing needs.
- Prepare, cook, and serve meals according to established menus and dietary guidelines.
- Safely transport and accompany residents to appointments, outings, community activities, or emergency relocations when necessary.
- Engage residents in structured recreational, educational, and leisure activities that promote healthy social interaction.
- Accurately complete required documentation, including daily progress notes, incident reports, recreational logs, medication records, and other required reports.
- Properly record work hours using the organization's timekeeping system.
- Report significant incidents or safety concerns immediately to supervisory staff.
- Provide detailed shift handoffs to ensure continuity of care between team members.
- Administer, document, and securely store medications in accordance with agency policies and state regulations.
- Help maintain a safe, clean, and well-functioning residential environment by identifying maintenance concerns and submitting repair requests.
- Complete all assigned administrative tasks and perform additional duties as directed to support program operations.
Qualifications
- Previous experience working with children or adolescents in a residential treatment, foster care, behavioral health, or similar care setting.
- Working knowledge of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) standards and residential childcare practices.
- Experience administering medications and implementing behavior management strategies.
- Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record to transport residents when required.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification, along with completion of all required DFPS training and compliance courses.
Pay: $13.00 - $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
