Alternative Living Provider

Being an Alternative Living Provider is a great job  for those who:

  • Are looking for a part-time position offering flexible hours

  • Enjoy teaching others
  • Enjoy working with people with developmental disabilities

As an Alternative Living provider, you will be able to:

  • Set your own schedule, choose how many hours you work per week and work around an existing job
  • Meet individuals you want to work with
  • Earn a competitive wage

More Information

 

DDA Alternative Living Provider FAQs

What is Alternative Living?

Alternative Living supports are designed to help an individual maintain or increasing independence at home and in the community by working on goals with an alternative living provider. Goals are developed by the case manager with input from the client. The alternative living provider supports client goals by using teaching and training methods. An alternative living provider does not work on personal care with the individual but focuses on teaching life skills in the following categories:  

  • establishing a residence 
  • home living
  • community living
  • health and safety
  • social activities
  • community integration
  •  protection and advocacy
  • other training as identified in the individual’s person-centered service plan
How much will you be paid?

Starting wage for an Alternative Living provider is $27.46 per hours beginning July 1, 2022.

AL providers work as independent contractors for the Department of Social and Health Services’ Developmental Disabilities Administration (DSHS DDA).

AL providers are paid by the hours for services provided. They are also paid for training hours and for transportation miles when transporting an individual they work with.

What requirements do you need to meet to be an Alternative Living provider?

Alternative Living providers need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be 21 year or older;
  • Have a high school diploma or GED diploma; and
  • Be able to pass a background check.
What training do you need to complete to become an Alternative Living provider?
Learn More

Training Requirements

You will need to complete 75 hours of training approved by DSHS. A DDA professional will help you through the steps of completing training.  Training can be completed quickly, and you can work while pursuing your training requirements. Most of the training material is available online, so you can work at your own pace and time. Alternative living providers are paid for approved training hours.

  • 70 hours – Community Residential Services training
  • 5 hours- Orientation and Safety

You will be required to complete 12 hours of continuing education thereafter.

What will you do as an Alternative Living provider?

Alternative Living providers improve a person’s quality of life by working one on one with individuals 18 or older to build life skills needed to live independently at home and stay connected to their community.

You will help people develop life skills in any of the following areas:

  • Setting up and maintaining a home
  • Participating in the community
  • Social activities and building relationships
  • Health and safety
  • Self Advocacy
  • Personal growth and learning
  • Other skills as identified in the individual’s service plan

As an AL provider you will:

  • Participate in service-plan development with the individual you support and a DDA professional

  • Work with the individual on goals identified in the service plan;
  • Work with the individual in the home or community;
  • Develop strategies with the individual to increase independence in various life skills; and
  • Use teaching aids and instruction techniques that suite the individual’s learning styles and ability level.
How do you become an Alternative Living provider?

Work with the DDA professional in your county or contact your local DDA Office and ask to speak with a resource manager.

Step 1: Complete the Application Process

Contacts by County

Counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima

Heather McDonnell
heather.mcdonnell@dshs.wa.gov
509.480.9458
1002 N 16th Ave
PO Box 12500
Yakima WA 98909-2500

Counties: Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom

Wesley Fullerton, Resource Manager Supervisor
wesley.fullerton@dshs.wa.gov
425-583-8632
840 N. Broadway, Building B., Suite 540
Everett, WA 98201

Counties: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Greys Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum

Anne Batte, Resource Manager Supervisor
anne.batte@dshs.wa.gov
360-819-6292 1305
1305 Tacoma Ave. South, Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98402

Step 2: Complete Training Requirements