News

May 21, 2008

To Provide New and Better Opportunites…

Lifetime Assistance, Inc. has been awarded $50,000 to develop advanced human resource recruitment strategies, by the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.  One of 17 grants awarded statewide, Lifetime’s reputation as a champion for direct support services and employees who deliver these services, was instrumental in winning the award.

Funds will be used to address the serious challenges facing the caregiving field nationwide, in recruiting and retaining quality “Direct Support Professionals,” i.e. men and women who provide direct support for individuals with developmental disabilities.  In response to community need, Lifetime Assistance is engaged in significant growth and will expand its workforce by 90 positions in a two year period (2007-2009).  The professionals who provide these services have perhaps the most important role in the home and community based system.  Lifetime Assistance will develop a comprehensive, realistic job preview video to help prospective employees understand the expectations and important aspects of the job, providing a realistic picture of what their work responsibilities will entail.  The initiative will provide a self-screening tool for potential employees, ultimately leading to reduced employee turnover.  Lifetime Assistance is committed to supporting the direct support workforce and emphasizes that the role of a Direct Support Professional is more than simply a job; it is a very meaningful, important and rewarding career.

Since 1978, Lifetime Assistance has grown from a single day treatment center serving 32 people to the area’s largest and most comprehensive network of developmental disability services, now serving more than 1800 children and adults, at 50 locations throughout the greater Rochester region.  Celebrating 30 years in 2008, Lifetime stands strong as a community leader committed to assisting individuals of all abilities in reaching their full potential, with a sense of dignity and purpose. 

For further information contact:
Kathy Miller
Development Coordinator
585.426.4120  x3102
 kathy.miller@lifetimeassistance.org