FAQ for caregivers

Shivoo is an online staffing directory that helps families hire caregivers for special needs children and adults. Currently Shivoo services the greater New York City area.

You will need to complete our questionnaire and upload your resume and a professional picture.

No, it’s free. There are no fees for job candidates.

To update your profile or remove it entirely, log in and edit your Shivoo information.

It’s up to you to update your profile when your availability or circumstances change. Otherwise it will remain active.

Each special-needs individual’s care requirements and goals are unique. As a caregiver, you are there to support the independence and skills development of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Patience and empathy are key. Community Habilitation (“Com Hab”) Staff Members work one-on-one with an individual, assisting them with building skills in their home as well as providing opportunities for community inclusion. Staff can also provide respite services, which offer temporary relief to other caregivers.

There is a wide range of individuals with unique needs who fall under the umbrella of special needs. New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities recognizes “intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome and other neurological impairments.”

Caregivers are free to accept or reject job offers, however caregivers do not have access to reach out to prospective employers.

Rates are set by the families and can be negotiated by Staff. Typically, Community Habilitation staff hired through a Fiscal Intermediary earn up to $40 per hour or more, depending on the family’s budget. Respite Staff earn $15 to $22 per hour.

Benefits vary with the position. For staff working at least 30 hours a week for a family receiving social services (Medicaid), benefits can include paid time off, medical and dental insurance, 401k with match, paid vacation, and sick days.

In New York, many special needs children and adults qualify for Medicaid funding through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), which provides an annual budget to cover expenses including staff support. For these families, their budget is managed by a third-party called a Fiscal Intermediary (FI) that pays staff every two weeks.

In some cases, families will choose to pay caregivers directly (out-of-pocket) on a schedule they agree upon with the staff person.

Yes. Staff working for families receiving Medicaid will receive wage and tax statements from the designated Financial Intermediary (FI) who serves as an administrator for the family’s budget.

It varies depending on the needs of the individual and family — some jobs are full-time and others are part-time. You can establish a schedule that works for you.

If your employer receives Medicaid funding and pays you through a Fiscal Intermediary, it will limit your hours to 40 per week. You may choose to work for more than one agency to increase your potential hours.

Yes.

Yes.

A Student Visa does not permit work authorization. Candidates need to provide a permanent resident card or an Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph. For more information go here.

No. For families located outside of New York City, it may be convenient to have a car. Commuting time is not billable.

New York State requires that Community Habilitation (“Com Hab”) Staff Members paid through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program must be at least 18 years of age, pass a criminal background check and have US work authorization. High school or equivalent education is preferred, but not necessary, as is experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Shivoo connects families with prospective staff and assumes no liability toward either party. Please read our Terms of Use here.

All staff candidates must complete an informational workshop prior to entering our database. For staff who choose employment through New York State’s Medicaid-funded OPWDD HCBS program, the family’s agency and fiscal intermediary provides annual training and on-going supervision.

Open and on-going communication with the family is generally the best approach for resolving challenges that arise. For staff who choose employment with families enrolled in New York State’s Medicaid-funded OPWDD HCBS program, the family’s agency and fiscal intermediary can be helpful resources as well.

In New York State, the OPWDD’s support can be tailored to each special-needs individual. Self Direction is an alternative to facility-based care, allowing adults and children with developmental disabilities to live in the community. Think of it as a more “DIY” approach to supporting special-needs individuals who qualify for social services funding.

For families that choose Self Direction, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) requires that they enroll in a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver, which is necessary to receive the Medicaid funding that will ultimately pay for the long-term care services and supports, including caregiving costs.

The State of New York’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is called the OPWDD for short. This government organization oversees special-needs adults and children in New York and plays the important role of providing services and financial support to families that qualify.