One-to-one support that helps your loved one do more on their own.
A trained Direct Support Professional (DSP) works with your adult family member by the hour, at home and out in the community, on the goals in their DDD plan. Serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Looking for a DSP job? See our openings.
Four quick checks
21 or older
Your family member is 21 or older.
In the Supports Program
They are enrolled in the NJ DDD Supports Program.
In our counties
They live in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth or Ocean county.
In the plan
Community-Based Supports is in their plan, or you'd like to ask for it.
Ticked all four? Send a referral. Not sure? Call us at (201) 305-0936, and we'll go through it with you.
Community Care Program families: in that program, hourly one-to-one help is called Individual Supports, and we don't provide it. Your support coordinator can point you to a provider.
Everyday skills, real community life
Daily living
Planning and cooking simple meals, laundry, keeping a routine.
Getting around
Learning bus and train routes, getting to appointments, shopping and errands.
Community and friendships
Classes, clubs, the gym, the library, volunteering.
Money and choices
Budgeting basics, paying at the till, speaking up for themselves.
Confidence
Practicing conversation, phone calls and asking for help.
Every schedule follows the person's Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
From referral to first visit, in 3 steps
Tell your support coordinator
Ask them to add Community-Based Supports to the plan and to list Priority Group Services NJ as the provider. Or send us a referral, and with your permission we'll contact the coordinator for you.
We meet you
We learn about interests, routines, language and the times that work, then match a DSP. You meet the DSP before the first shift.
Support begins
Your DSP works on the plan's goals, and we keep the coordinator updated. If the match isn't right, tell us and we'll find a better one.
Screened, trained and matched with care
Every DSP is screened and trained before working with anyone we support. We aim for the same familiar face each week, so your loved one builds a relationship instead of meeting someone new.
Send a referral for a participant in one of our five counties at prioritygroupsnj.org/ddd-make-a-referral/, or call (201) 305-0936.
Hourly DSP support FAQ
How many hours can my family member get?
Hours come from their Individualized Service Plan and DDD budget. We build the schedule within the hours authorized.
Who pays?
Authorized hours are paid through your loved one's DDD program. If anything you ask for falls outside the plan, we'll tell you up front.
Can we meet the DSP first?
Yes. We introduce the DSP before the first shift.
You're already our support coordination agency. Can you also provide this?
No. DDD's conflict-free rules mean the agency that coordinates services can't also provide them. Your coordinator will help you choose another approved provider.
Which counties do you serve?
Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth and Ocean.
Ready to get started?
Send a referral, or call us and we'll explain the next steps.