Are you looking for a little help with your daily needs, but can’t find a caregiver with the right skills who fits your schedule? 

You may want to check out a new website from the Minnesota Department of Human Services: Direct Support Connect. Find it at directsupportconnect.com. If you are a personal care attendant looking for clients, the site is designed for you as well. The Minnesota Department of Human Services encourages those who provide direct support to people with disabilities and older adults, or are interested in exploring these careers, to register.

According to the DHS, the website is free, safe and secure, and meant to respond to a high demand for direct support workers. There is a section on the website for caregivers, and those seeking one, to create profiles, and make a connection easier. 

With Direct Support Connect, workers can:

Find part-time and full-time work opportunities,
filter and review jobs compatible with their schedule, skills and preferences,
respond to job postings through secure messaging, and 
find links to career building classes and resources from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Personal care attendants are part of a medical model geared toward people with various diagnoses who can benefit from help with necessities such as daily blood sugar tests. In some cases, people looking for an attendant may not need someone to administer a test, but someone to help keep track of the various medical requirements in their daily life. A PCA may help arrange Meals on Wheels, help order medication, help soak feet and more. 

PCAs also help parents. When work lasts until 6 p.m., and the kids are home at 3:30 p.m., a PCA can help bridge that gap. They can also help parents who have to be to work early, and need help getting their children ready for school. Certain diagnoses for children may prevent the parent from taking them to certain events or obligations. A PCA can help there as well.