Can Friendly Connections Hire a Friend or Family Member as Your DSP?

We are a New Jersey nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the state.

Families often want more say in who provides support. In many situations, we may be able to hire someone the individual already knows and trusts — such as a friend or family member — as a Direct Support Professional, as long as that person meets applicable program, background-check, training, and employment requirements.

Keep the person you trust

A strong support relationship is often built on comfort, consistency, trust, and familiarity. When the rules allow it, hiring someone who already knows the individual can make support feel more natural and personal.

Let us handle the employment side

We can help manage the employer responsibilities that come with the role, including hiring, onboarding, payroll, required documentation, training, and ongoing employment requirements.

That can give families more choice over who provides support without having to personally manage every administrative detail.

Friends and family may be eligible

Not every friend or relative will qualify for every role. Eligibility can depend on the person's service plan, funding, relationship to the individual, and applicable New Jersey DDD requirements.

We can review the situation with the family and support coordinator and help determine whether the person they have in mind can be hired.

Ask us about hiring someone you already know

If there is already a trusted person in your life who would be a good fit to provide support, ask us whether we can hire that person.

Contact Friendly Connections or visit our Services page to learn more.

We serve individuals and families throughout New Jersey.