direct support professional

care manager

home manager

program director

residential manager

Beacon Specialized Living

This is the most rewarding job Ive ever had, however the low pay does make you want to leave. I absolutely love what I do, I dont hate coming to work. However I have to resort to picking up overtime constantly to get even close to paying my bills. They do offer raises but as a day program employee i am capped at a certain point and cant advance unless i go to management, which isn't really available unless you transfer to residential. You almost never get bonuses, which they used to do frequently but not anymore. There is a ton of overtime available every week that you can pick up which is great, you could even pick up that very day if you wanted. The amount of PTO they offer is actually insane, and you can cash out half of it every year. But on the flip side, "paid holidays" are actually just PTO days, so you take a loss for holidays if youre picky about your PTO. On top of that, PTO and overtime doesnt stack, so any overtime you work cancels out your PTO. This is especially annoying for someone who relies on overtime, so if youre out on PTO for a few days you have to work enough overtime to cover the days you missed plus whatever extra you want before you get time and a half pay. The HR department is completely useless, good luck getting an email back in a timely manner, or a call back at all. On a positive note, my immediate managers are fantastic and always stand up/help us when we need it. They communicate well and my work environment is very healthy. I don't know if this translates to the other day programs, but I don't think I've worked anywhere that every single employee gets along before. I've made lasting meaningful friendships here. Overall, I love my job and my clients, and i love my coworkers and bosses, but I do  believe the company itself has a lot of work to do if it wants to change the high turnover rate.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Overtime is available often but it has a disadvantage because you are not valued from bosses or staff members.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
How you try to do your job for the individuals you care for and grow bonds with because of all the time you give and take away from your very own family for the job and none of it gets appreciated then when the time comes that you want or need to be valued for your dedication it is stomp with lies deceit and no honor or recognition. It’s a shame that this company do not recognize the true humans who genuinely take their time and effort for the sake of the individuals and give ones who don’t. SHAME ON THEM!

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It is appalling. You give majority of your time and dedication to help the individuals you care for but as for me I’m committed to a company that I work for. Helping anyway I can but yet I was not seen or heard. You spend countless hours neglecting your own health and sanity telling yourself it’s needed for another human being in need. All of these actions I chose were not appreciated. In this company certain people choose what’s easier and quietly ruin others lives. Working in this company has shown me that as hard as you try to have good work ethics that’s true blue it’s futile. They believe it’s simple you’re are obligated to work 200 plus hours every 2 weeks because if you choose not to you will suffer consequences but again you’re silenced for the benefit of going by protocol.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Well since I was on call which I agreed to so you have to available when needed. You get no sleep because since your at work majority of the time you neglect your home life house,kids etc. when you try to balance both you this company does not back you up at all or even try to work with you

This has got to be one of the most disorganized places to work. I started at Beacon under the assumption that I would just be involved in training and maintaining certain training credentials for new and current staff. After working there for two weeks, I found out that this jobs requires a lot more than what disclosed in the job description/interview. They will require you to complete over 27+ hours in online modules within your first 4 days while also being trained during a normal work day. They require their DSPs to complete an unreasonable amount of online modules within the first 4 days which is what I imagine causes a lot of the DSPs to not actually start working. Not to mention, they also have to participate in live or in-person trainings that can be 4+ hours long. They also send new DSPs so far from where they live to complete required CPR/CPI training. Most of these people cannot drive the distance (could be an hour or more) and just end up not starting. 

The biggest things I did not feel comfortable with was that I would be training on administering medications, not just to teach others but to become a back-up in the homes. They also require that you take your PTO for the week of Christmas or work as a Caregiver in whatever nearby homes need you as they do not schedule training during that time. I was also not told that I would have to complete payroll and enter shifts for DSPs in my area. 

It seems the person running the show may have some control issues and doesn't really know how to successfully mange a large division of people. Fridays for the Trainers are a "catch-up" day but unfortunately your are scheduled in multiple required meetings that you aren't actually able to get caught up in anything. It also seems that you are expected to be on call after hours.

The Beacon homes are exceptional. The direct care workers strive to make sure that they are true homes in every sense of the word. I was awed and touched to know that these people really cared. However, the corporate culture is chaotic, micromanaging, backstabbing, and just toxic. Meetings are meaningless and basically simply a venue in which salaried employees can talk disrespectfully about the direct care workers. Turnover is incredibly high, with an average of two out of five workers never making it through onboarding due to extreme demands placed on them in terms of time. The on -line training process is redundant and boring, with people retaining little of what was presented. As for being a trainer, I spent more time doing HR, payroll and IT functions than I actually spent training, and mentoring, often doing 12 hour days just to keep up. (Why was someone hired in a training capacity doing HR, payroll, and IT? I never figured that out, but it was 90% of the job.) Peer employees would intentionally interrupt group training classes, or take over onboarding without consulting others, causing the new hires even more confusion. Peer employees took it on themselves to act as managers to other peers, again creating chaos and conflict. Salaried employees walked off the job after less than a month due to this constant sense of conflict, endless unnecessary meetings, doing payroll, HR, and IT functions,  all in an atmosphere of unending chaos and overly dramatic gossip. Once hired, if they can get through the insanity of the onboarding process, Beacon is a great place to work for direct care workers. Unless one thrives on a sort of “mean girls club” mentality, working IT, HR, payroll, and endless meetings that accomplish nothing, I would not recommend it for salaried employees. 

Beacon has completely changed my life. I've been encouraged to grow and progress in my career by working closely with others around me. I've been pushed to a limit to make myself progress both mentally and professionally. The Beacon team is continuing to make advancements and develop different positive attributes to working with mentally ill and developmentally disables clients. I've never been more proud nor have I ever felt such a sense of accomplishment than I have while working at Beacon. I appreciate and respect all of the opportunities that have been presented before me as well as opportunities presented before our residents. There are times when things can be hectic, however with constant support and effort put forth by everyone; staff, management, upper management, clinicians, medical teams, maintenance, we are able to accomplish any task or overcome any inconvenience that comes our way. We are able to provide the best care to our abilities to ensure that every resident in our care is continuing to have the best life possible. We continue to encourage them to thrive to work towards their independence to ensure that they will be able to make it on their own. The best part of working with Beacon is being able to see residents progress in their every day lives to see that they will be able to continue making positive lifestyle choices on their own by setting a positive example and demonstrating positive interactions. Our I-CARE culture is truly amazing in representing Integrity, compassion, advocacy, respect and excellence by every person that walks through the front door of our residents home. No matter what, residents come first with Beacon and that is truly amazing. I'm happy that I've been able to be apart of the Beacon Team and I hope to continue to remain with Beacon for a long time.

Never work at beacon specialized living the management is horrible and doesn't follow any of their policy. There is no flexible schedule. Their day shift employees get away with trying their night staff poorly. You are mandated to stay over in the morning if day shift doesn't show but day after will not stay over. Also they do not follow state licensing and when they have audits for the company the make your bust your butt cleaning the day before they neglect their residents needs and pushing their important appointments or cancel them the day off or don't make proper accommodations for the residents when they ask to speak to someone. The house I worked at does not follow their BTP plan at all they do not have group therapies or group activities they do not feed the guys well so the guys spend their money on junk food. The only good thing about the job is the residents there's a few that really appreciate what you do for them and you build strong relationships with them that you are like their family just wish management and district would realize that the guys need more structure schedules and follow their BTP plan to make sure they are doing what they should be to move on with their lives and be more independent by doing laundry cleaning their own room helping with housework chores not us doing all of it where they're not learning and they believe we are their maids other houses in Michigan might be better but the one and Stanton does not follow anything correctly. 

Your typical day at work begins when you walk in the door, not when you clock in. Residents whom you bond with over time will, as mentioned above, begin your day before you even exit your vehicle. This is a positive part of the day. Negative parts of the day boil down to behaviors that occur. We work in an environment where the residents are just like you and me, where we get agitated. I’m this case, unfortunately, their behaviors are both physical and verbal, as they don’t have the full capacity of restraint that people without mental disabilities have. 
Management on site is helpful. But, as is human error, they can be snippy or agitated. I’ve learned that a lot of agitation comes during times when there are multiple behaviors that result in having to write reports, because those have to be put on the same plate as the other work management gets involved in. I believe that, over time, we as staff can help minimize behaviors, so that we can lessen their work. 
Workplace culture...that’s a tough one. It has its pros and cons. Depending on who you work with, you’ll get a sense of who your  “best team” is, as well as where you (or the others) could use work. It’s a team building experience, and not just for residents. 
The best part of the job, I’d have to say, is knowing that my day potentially begins before I leave my vehicle. Residents know staff vehicles, and will often follow and greet them, walking in with them. 
The hardest part of the job, and I do stress “hardest”, is not knowing what sets the residents off. Most of the time it’s not you. But, like all humans, it could be something you do. With respect over time, they will let you know if it was you.

This field of work is one of the most rewarding jobs. We are able to elevate the lives of the individuals we serve. Beacon as a whole really does a great job at boosting the community we serve. They are our main priority and Beacon makes sure of that. In my experience with Beacon, this company does a great job in promoting growth in different work areas if I choose to take my career path in a different direction.

Beacon Specialized Living suffers from lack of communication within the company. I cannot tell you how many times I've sent an email and said correspondent emails my boss instead, cc'ing me on the email. It makes me feel very underappreciated and undermined. I think Beacon has an issue with hiring staff as well. I've worked with the company for several years now and have heard horror stories and have seen horrible staff working with our clients I see daily. It tends to overshadow the amazing staff that constantly give their all, thus why the turnover rate is what it is. The pay rate is also not nearly enough for the job we do every day.

Thoroughly check your staff before you hire them. There are too many people that are just let through and hired for the sake of being a body to care for these individuals. The people we serve  deserve better. Incentivise the good and hardworking individuals that are here.

This company shows no compassion towards personal life struggles. There is no exceptions for work absence, even with written doctor’s note, you will be written up as unexcused. Horribly managed, you’ll be promised to succeed in the companies “level up system” I worked for this company for 7+ months and was an outstanding employee, I’d pick up many extra shifts (some weeks I’d work 7 days straight at 12.5 hour shifts) I would also stay over or come in early at times. I have worked a 19 hour shift, and rather than being paid overtime pay, they changed my schedule and took a day off of my schedule. I have had numerous encounters with physically abusive residents, while management and other staff refused to assist with my safety. The pay is okay depending on which home you are working for, but the homes which start at $10.25 an hour are very unprofessional and not well managed. (Whitehall/Lakeview for example) As mentioned above, the level up system is explained during training, and unless you request to level up, management will not offer it. I have had multiple issues with the payroll department, they have given many excuses as why I did not receive mileage pay, overtime pay, or most recently COVID-19 pay. This company has lowered my interest of wanting to be a DSP which at one point was my dream job, due to the poor management.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working here is seeing the change and difference you make in an individual/residents life when you support them efficiently.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of the jobs is unsupportive staff.  When people don't show up for their duties it creates more stress on the staff who shows up rain or shine. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I work between two homes currently and I'd have to say the environment changes per home, day to day, depending on behaviors. Most days it's just like being in someone's home and assisting then with daily life, while other days can be scary, challenging and tough. It's important that you can rely on your team to help your through challenging times at work. You are never alone!  

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
 Go to work. Make sure morning medications are passed. Check appointment books to find out what the day looks like. Clean up from breakfast. Assist with daily tasks. Making lunch doing laundry and dishes that arise, making sure the house is clean and keeping residents safe by checking IDs of people you don't know at the door and following the safety protocol of the home. This would bring us to dinner and that is followed by documentation of the entire day all day should be just interacting with the residents as much as possible.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 2446 salaries reported	$17.55 per hour
Care manager 663 salaries reported	$51,991 per year
Home manager 1 salary reported	$52,500 per year
Program director 107 salaries reported	$72,558 per year
Residential manager 107 salaries reported	$55,000 per year

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