direct support caregiver

direct support professional

qualified professional

licensed practical nurse

driver

Abound-Health

This company truly cares about the people we serve and consistently goes the extra mile to ensure they feel supported. The dedication to our clients and their families is commendable, and it is clear that this organization prioritizes the client's wellbeing.

However, as an employee, I often feel overworked and underpaid. The responsibilities and workload expected of QP's are substantial, but the compensation does not reflect the effort and time required. Beyond the demanding workload, there is the emotional toll of being scolded, blamed, and reprimanded by both my staff and the families of clients. While I understand that tensions can run high in this field, it creates an added layer of pressure that makes it even more challenging to stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset. 

The bonus structure is another area where improvements could be made. While it has become more attainable over the years, it is still difficult to achieve. Furthermore, bonuses can be negatively impacted by circumstances entirely outside of our control, such as clients moving out of state, or leaving for reasons unrelated to the quality of care provided. When a client leaves, this causes more clients to be moved onto a caseload to compensate for the one that was lost, which in turn adds a heavier workload and stress, all to maintain the bonus percentage. This can feel discouraging and diminish motivation, as these factors do not accurately reflect the effort and dedication QP's put into their work, and truly just adds more work and stress and potentially not even a bonus.

I truly appreciate the hybrid role and the privilege of being able to work at home a few days each week, but sometimes the amount of driving I do in a week to see my families does not leave me enough time to get other tasks completed. 
This company could easily distribute some of the tasks QP's are responsible for to other departments, so we can focus more on the clinical work like writing plans and visiting with staff and clients. One such task is that QP's are asked to review medications, and administration records each month without any medical background/knowledge, and it takes hours at a time to complete. A lot of QP's I have personally spoken with agree on the idea that QP's should not be responsible for reviewing medications; it is a little too outside of our wheelhouse, and we always end up having to call pharmacies and doctor's offices to retrieve signatures or other corrections, including sometimes even making in-person visits.

I, and most likely most QP's and higher up employees, frequently work more than 40 hours per week because there is always more to do, yet the only recognition for this extra effort I have received often comes in the form of additional tasks. While I understand that the work we do is vital, it also often feels like a never-ending cycle, and the lack of work/life balance takes a significant mental toll on those in this role.

While I truly believe this is a wonderful company in terms of the services we provide, and I have certainly grown professionally with several offered learning opportunities, I also feel that employees in this position deserve greater appreciation, fairer compensation, and a more supportive structure that acknowledges the challenges of the role without penalizing us for factors beyond our control. 

In short, this is a good job to fill holes in your schedule or get you some pocket change during the summer, but management is unreliable and pay is unfair.

I've been a Hab Tech at ASM for a long while. If you need work quickly, it's easy to get hired, but don't try to make it a living or you'll eventually become as cynical and jaded as the other longtime staff.

If you match with a great kid with a supportive family, you're in for one of the easiest and most rewarding jobs you'll ever have. You really can make a difference in people's lives and the families may even treat you like one of their own. If your client likes you, you'll be getting paid to spend time with people that matter to you.

When it's bad, it's a total nightmare. ASM is critically understaffed, probably thanks to bad pay and a cynical culture. While you, the employee, can do a lot of good, ASM just wants to fill cases, collect timesheets and clock out. Maybe it's the effect of being bought out around 2015, but the company only seems interested in cutting corners, ticking boxes and pushing numbers to look productive.  The therapies themselves simply don't work and no one but the HT's and the poor overwhelmed families seem to care.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS thoroughly read up on the client before taking a case. The company simply doesn't support, train or compensate you enough for when the going gets tough. You may be stuck with clients that that hit, bite and throw bodily fluids, but there's no extra assistance or compensation. There's no upward mobility and barely the faded dream of getting a raise. To make matters worse, communication between management and Hab Techs is unreliable. QPs are often rude and always half-hearted in their work. Most communication is sent via text messages. I've been sent to the wrong address, given false information about the client and sent to a client's home only to be told that I wasn't needed after all (sorry for the mix-up!) The only time my QP pays attention to me is when I'm late to sign something. Staff on all levels are flagrantly disinterested and dismissive towards their work. Everything is a shrug to these people. They should change their name to Just Look Busy, LLC.

If you need some extra work but don't want to push carts or flip burgers, ASM is a good choice, but some parts of the job aren't worth the stress or money.

There is no such thing. No boredom here. I may be working on getting a plan approved and it is due by tomorrow, then an emergency which could be literally anything (we are all human) takes center stage. You do your best to resolve the issue but remember you have a meeting or two scheduled later that same day. There are the re-certifications to be sent out timely so services do not stop and payment to the company is not received.
I learned that time management is my best friend. Do not let foreseeable things slide until later. If something can be done ahead of time do it.
As a group of employees we all faced the same deadlines and constraints when trying to help someone. We all had emergencies pop up. We handled this by getting to know specifics concerning the most needy people on each managers caseload. This allowed us to switch off with one another whenever possible, or at least calm a situation down until the assigned worker could arrive. We shared all knowledge in order to help manage the deluge of paper and also assist our folks in achieving their goals. This was definitely team playing and it worked great most of the time.
The most enjoyable part of this job was watching people have access to things such as a decent living situation, needed medical supplies, getting help with locating a job that worked for them, medical attention that was long overdue, or a disabled parent getting the chance to raise their child or being allowed to have quality time with their child. The cohesiveness of our entire office staff from the support staff to management, everyone pitched in to help the consumers and one another. The list of most enjoyable could go no and on.
The hardest part of the job was when someone desperately needed help but for example a couple of IQ points kept them from getting assistance. The people who fall through the cracks. Of course that did not stop us. We all were creative and if needed have raised money, had yard sales on our own time, and advocated for needs to be met utilizing members of the community.

A typical day of work consisted of picking up my client or meeting them at their house and taking them into the community, running goals in the home, and/or taking them to Transitions Day Program.  My job was to work on various independent and vocational goals.  
I primarily worked with my client at Transitions Day Program.  When I joined, the staff and clients made me feel like I was a part of the family at the Day Program.  However, as time passed and things changed within the company, the few staff who have remained since have become burnt-out and jaded at best.  Now the atmosphere feels very negative overall.  
Per the supervisors, some are decent at best.  I never felt truly supported by my direct supervisors; I only really communicated with them via text and when I did see them, it was only because they were dropping in to visit someone else.  QPs can be secretive about clients who are more high-risk and will withhold information (about behaviors and their lifestyle) if they know keeping staff with that client will be a problem.  They are bad at communicating changes; I was receiving health benefits and they cut mine without notifying me, and I didn't find out until I got a letter 3 months after they cut my benefits.  And they failed to notify me when my QP changed caseloads until I would send multiple text messages asking for help only to have a different QP answer that phone!  And despite getting good evaluations every year, I never got a raise.  And there's no PTO.
Really, the most enjoyable part of the job was bonding with the recipients.  The job itself left a negative impression on me and I can't say I'll be returning to do one-on-one work.  This is a good side job or trying to advance your career out of college...not as a full-time career.

In 2017, I was afforded the opportunity to work with my son with special needs.  I had been working briefly, for another agency thru 2018, when Abound, bought the agency I was working for.  The transition was seamless for me.  We no longer had to hand write notes but were able to complete our notes electronically making it so much easier and way less time consuming than ever before.  I wasn’t super computer literate but the company worked with all employees to teach us exactly how it was done and to ensure we were comfortable.  There was always someone to ask for help if you ever needed it.  Now I easily complete my notes from the convenience of my phone and it couldn't be easier. 
Abound really does care about the clients as well as the employees.  They provide  so many opportunities to learn, with online classes to complete necessary credentials from the privacy of my own home, to forums with a plethora of learning platforms that are not only interesting but also provide opportunities for self growth while teaching you how to support your clients growth and accomplishments with care, dignity, respect and purpose.  
There is no better feeling than having the opportunity to support another, so they can accomplish their goals and realize their dreams.  It’s so rewarding and what you get in return is invaluable.  Yes…it’s my job to proudly serve my client, but in return, he has taught me so many things about myself that I could have never learned from a book or a seminar.  Working for Abound has allowed me to realize my true purpose and I am so grateful for this tremendous opportunity.  


I have been working at ASM for 1 year and 2 months. I will break down how my day is and then give a list of pros and cons. For my day (it depends on which SR that i'm working with), I'm having to drive an hour each way (entirely my own fault because I ended up moving much further from my SR houses but still decided to work with them due to already establishing a relationship with them and it wouldn't be fair to them to cut off my work with them) for both SR. For one, I'm working with them Monday and Wednesday and the other one I'm working with them on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday every week. With both I drive them out into the community and even do more than just what their treatment plan states. I go above and beyond for both of them, assessing them to determine what's best for them. I will say that I have learned A LOT working with my SR. I was told by my QP to apply for a raise and that they would fight tooth and nail for me to get one but once I did they told me I probably wouldn't get one. They proceeded to say that I probably would not get a raise due to Covid. I have been waiting for over 2 months to get a raise resposne with nothing heard back. This company would be GREAT for someone looking for experience and would be a GREAT stepping stone, but if you're looking for this to be a way to make ends meet, please don't. 

So my review. What can I say? I love what I do. My frustrations come into play where compensation does not. My current caseload (I've been working with ASM for about 6 months now) is a few different clients, ranging from 3-8 hours each day with each of them at their individual houses and apartments for 6 days a week. I maybe got a little lucky because my QP is alright. She typically will answer when I call and if she doesn't, she calls back in a timely fashion. That being said, gas is expensive and mileage adds up quickly. On average, I'm running close to 300 miles a week to deal with my clients on how they're needing. I don't get reimbursed for mileage working here and the clients' guardians don't reimburse for gas. If you are against driving and having bare minimum benefits, then, by all means, please look for another business that does the same thing that ASM does but actually cares about its employees. Also, I should also mention that there is no sick time, nor vacation time. When you take off of work for either of those two events, you will just have to eat those hours. I really enjoy working and gaining experience with my clients with each of their disabilities, but don't count on this place to be a suitable source of income for you. One last thing that I actually like that they do. I enjoy seeing my checks on the portal before I get them in the bank account. I also enjoy having everything I need on one website.

Abound Health is hands down one of the best employers I have worked for. From day one, the organization demonstrates genuine respect for its staff and a deep commitment to both employees and the individuals we support. The leadership team is exceptional—approachable, supportive, and truly invested in both professional growth and day-to-day success. They lead with integrity, transparency, and compassion, which creates a strong sense of trust across the organization.

What truly sets Abound Health apart is its incredible team culture. The teammates are dedicated, collaborative, and genuinely care about one another. There is a strong sense of teamwork and mutual respect, making even challenging days feel manageable because you know you’re supported. Communication is clear, consistent, and proactive, and leadership is always available to provide guidance or step in when needed.

Abound Health also stands out for its ethical, person-centered approach. The company prioritizes quality care, thoughtful caregiver-client matching, and realistic expectations. Training, onboarding, and ongoing support are handled with care and efficiency, helping staff feel confident and valued in their roles.

If you are looking for an employer with outstanding leadership, great teammates, and a positive, professional work environment, I highly recommend Abound Health. It is a company that truly values its people—and it shows every single day.

The upper management never stops trying to find ways to help make our DSPs jobs better. With the implementation of the Rockerfeller Habits, it has truly made the company stronger and helps leadership implement changes further. They also have been ahead of the game with implementation of state rules before they are rolled out and are boots to the ground for our clients and staff. The PDs and upper management care for people and have helped advocate for clients and staff not only for services but also for personal growth and development as well as personal wellbeing. Due to Abound's relationship with OnTarget, we have been able to have support at our fingertips with technology and provide better support to the clients and staff. I have a FANTASTIC program director/direct supervisor and a VP that cares and is always willing to listen and help. I have never felt like "just a number" in the company but rather an individual. 

Health insurance could be a little bit better with lower deductibles and premiums but I know that they are continuing to advocate for better options each year. As a QP, sometimes the job can cut into after hours time so that would be something to consider when working, while it does not happen every week, it is good to know upfront due to the nature of the services we provide.

It is a large company and growing. The overall culture is amazing and aligns with my personal core values. However, the company is so large, they have a lot of levels of “leadership” and most of the leaders do so from behind a computer screen, with the very front line leaders getting very little support, oversight, direction from the decision makers, the regional leaders, the ones who are responsible how things appear on paper yet miss out on the actual human experience. The very people that are inteneted to be “person cenetered” in the scope of the services provided within the organization. Including participants served and the staff who performs the hands on, front line jobs. Quality is preached as a priority, but evidently is subjective. Their own policies are then allowed to be handpicked as to which ones are to be followed and which ones must be followed on the very basic levels of service. Dishonesty, lack of support, personal bias, personal prejudices and coveting own lack of accountability at the very basic level of such a large corporation sees the very seeds that will ultimately erase the very culture in which the company now succeeds. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support caregiver 867 salaries reported	$20.94 per hour
Direct support professional 379 salaries reported	$19.02 per hour
Qualified professional 6 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 6 salaries reported	$38.00 per hour
Driver 21 salaries reported	$16.50 per hour

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