NJ Human Services & The Boggs Center Launch ‘Jobs That Care New Jersey’ Website to Highlight Direct Care Job Opportunities

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

New Jersey Human Services and The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities today announced the launch of the Jobs that Care New Jersey website highlighting the availability of jobs providing direct supports for individuals with disabilities and older adults.

People can search the new site to find jobs as:
• Direct support professionals who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in home and community life while promoting well-being; and
• Certified home health aides who assist adults ages 60 and older, and children and adults with disabilities or chronic medical conditions, to live in their homes by supporting daily activities.

As the website evolves, additional jobs in the direct support and service workforce will be added. Human Services has also awarded funding to an advertising firm to design a promotional campaign in the coming months to highlight the website and recruit direct care workers to the home and community-based care field.

“Bolstering our caregiving workforce has long been one of my top priorities, and while we have invested in these critical jobs through wage increases and supports, we’ve now made it easier to connect jobseekers to these essential job opportunities,” Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said. “I encourage anyone interested in pursuing a rewarding career in the care economy to please visit this new site to learn more and find jobs in your area. This work makes a real and meaningful difference in people’s lives. Please take a look and learn more about these jobs that care.”

“It is the relationship between direct support professionals and people with disabilities that makes a crucial difference for the well-being and thriving of the person using services, and the satisfaction direct support professionals gain from making a difference in someone’s life,” The Boggs Center’s Executive Director Deborah Spitalnik, PhD, said.

“These are essential jobs to support individuals with disabilities and older adults to live healthy and engaging lives in communities across our state,” Human Services Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire said. “Whether it’s helping with personal needs, health and home care or community activities, workers in these careers truly matter. They support our friends, our family, our neighbors. They change lives.”

The website includes explanations about direct support professionals and certified home health aides, including videos of actual direct support professionals and the individuals they support. It also includes links to job listings, and information for employers.

“Direct support professionals and certified home health aides have fulfilling jobs that enhance the lives of others,” said Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Seifried. “These jobs are vital and anyone interested should visit this new site.”

“This workforce is critical to the lives of so many individuals,” Division of Aging Services Assistant Commissioner Louise Rush said. “The demand for these jobs is growing fast and will continue to increase in years to come, so please don’t hesitate to visit the site to learn more.”

"The direct support workforce plays a critical role in assisting people with disabilities to live healthy, active, and valued lives in our communities,” said The Boggs Center’s Associate Director Colleen McLaughlin. “The Boggs Center is grateful to the Department's commitment to the recruitment, retention, and recognition of this essential workforce. We are excited to have partnered on this important initiative, and we look forward to job-seekers using the website to learn about and find career opportunities in the field."

Human Services worked with The Boggs Center in developing the website, with financial support from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Boggs Center is New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities and part of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Visit the website to learn more: www.jobsthatcare.nj.gov