case manager

youth specialist

family support specialist

therapist

support specialist

Bethany-Christian-Services

This organization carries the name of being a Christian organization, but is quite honestly a poorly organized business hiding behind a religious guise. My experience as an employee was not positive and I would not suggest anyone else work here. I was with Bethany for about 4 months and this particular office had a very high employee turnover rate, as there were constantly people leaving after a few months, and new people being hired. I myself was let go without a two weeks notice, and without a reason for why I was being let go. According to Bethany's Employee Handbook the company can only not give you a 2 week notice if they have a reasonable explanation. The company did not give me an explanation. Even worse, when calling HR in Michigan to explain the situation HR basically said it was my word against theirs and that I had claimed to be bilingual for the position, and because I am not, they had reason to let me go. I never claimed to be bilingual and had in fact only agreed to be interviewed for the position after my then supervisor told me that I did not need to be bilingual for the position. My supervisors LIED in an effort to justify why they had completely mismanaged finances and had to let me go last minute without a notice, although it is required according to the Employee Handbook. It seemed obvious to me that management did not have a solid grasp of this particular office's finances, had not foreseen necessary budget cuts until last minute, and had to let me go. This was confirmed to me by another employee who was let go months after me who worked in the finance department. Other issues, lunch breaks were abused to the point where it was common for many employees to take 2 hour lunch breaks and leave the office early. Working hours were never 9-5. Because I was a case worker and often had to wait until families were out of work, my hours were more like 11-8. Between management there was a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch your's" sort of relationship so it was not a good idea to question if your supervisor wasn't in the office half the time and took really long lunch breaks. Honestly this is a shady, unorganized, unprofessional organization to work for and I would strongly suggest you look elsewhere.

The work environment at a workplace plays a crucial role in shaping the overall experience, productivity, and well-being of employees. A positive and conducive work environment fosters collaboration, creativity, and job satisfaction, while a negative or stressful environment can lead to burnout, decreased morale, and reduced productivity. Here are some key aspects that contribute to a healthy work environment:

Physical Workspace: The physical layout of the office, lighting, seating arrangements, and amenities are essential factors that influence the work environment. An organized and well-designed workspace can enhance comfort, concentration, and overall efficiency.

Communication: Open and effective communication is fundamental in any work environment. Clear and transparent communication channels between colleagues and management promote a sense of belonging, alignment with organizational goals, and reduced misunderstandings.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Encouraging collaboration and teamwork through shared spaces, project-based interactions, and regular team meetings can foster a sense of camaraderie, support, and shared accomplishment among employees.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, demonstrates trust in employees' abilities to manage their tasks while promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Inclusivity and Diversity: A diverse and inclusive work environment welcomes employees from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This leads to a broader range of ideas, creativity, and innovation, ultimately benefiting the organization.

Recognition and Appreciation: Recognizing and appreciating employees' contributions and achievements, whether through regular feedback, awards, or promotions, boosts morale and motivation.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The missing to helping families and children and coworkers who are supportive 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of work life balance due to the expectation for employees to work evenings and weekends. The high number of cases assigned is also worrisome.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
This is a Christian faith based organization so all meetings begin and end with prayers. If employee is not overtly religious this can be uncomfortable as you are expected to participate/lead prayers. Sadly, the favorite answer when work concerns are brought up to management is “ we will pray about it or God will provide “ instead of addressing concerns with actionable support.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Work schedule listed as 8-5 but must be extremely flexible to start and end work day beyond those hours. Excessive report writing, without the appropriate tools so there are obstacles to efficiency. Lots of contact with clients by virtual and ir in person meets that needs to be accounted for via daily case notes. Extremely hard deadlines to complete work, and unrealistic, as some reports are due in ten calendar days but you are only given 4-5 days to complete and submit for review for two additional days. Employees are working around the clock to complete work before the strict deadlines. There is lack of support from supervisors who are also working around the clock. There is no overtime allowed and you could be penalized and or lose your job for overtime incurred.

Working at Bethany was a bizarre experience. Looking back, I realized that I wasted time and did not accomplish my professional  goals while I was employed there. I was hired to work with the UAC population and I was told I would as a part of my compensation, collect the hours towards my licensure process. I was lied to. I was manipulated into thinking that every time I met with my supervisor I would be collecting hours while all the while, no documentation or even contract was ever recorded. I  worked overtime and was not compensated for the extra hours I worked. Other employees were bullied and gaslighted when they would confront management with their concerns. Employees were meant to feel guilty when they asked for time off and employees were encouraged to assist with out reach efforts without compensation for it. We were told "it was the Lord's work" and that "it was a privilege to serve the Bethany community". Cultural Competence trainings were a joke, in which trainings consisted of us watching a movie "God is not Dead", in where Muslims, LGBTQ persons and other people of color were painted as "people who were lost and needed help". How this was relevant to our work,.. I am not sure. It wasn't. Overall, Bethany has many issues within their company. Not a professional company to work for and needs much assistance when it comes to running a successful business. I do not recommend this work place to anyone who is looking for serious employment.

A typical day on the unit consists of transitioning from school to the unit. The boys get their snack and get ready for group therapy/group work time (packets/assignments related to treatment). After group work/group therapy there is an activity of some kind before dinner. After we eat the boys take care of assigned after dinner jobs, they take their showers, write in journals, and eventually get ready for bed. During summer break, holidays, and school days the boys enjoy a lot more free time/planned recreational activities. 
I have learned true meanings of compassion, empathy, and developed a great appreciation for new perspectives. This job has developed my sense of creativity and how to apply it towards helping others. 
The management at Bethany is dependable and flexible, something that is greatly appreciated in residential facilities. 
The hardest part of my job is helping kids that are truly hurting/struggling with various issues. Seeing their disappointment in themselves or their loved ones is pretty tough. The best part of my job ranges from just interacting and playing games with boys without paying attention to their struggles, to physically watch them overcome milestones in treatment.

Bethany Christian Services prides themselves on offering quality social services to their clients and I have witnessed this first hand. One of the ways they do this is by supporting their staff emotionally, practically, and financially. Their commitment to low case load ratios is unlike any other agency I've work for. They have high expectations of their staff but give them the tools to do meet these expectations and in return this creates an atmosphere of healthy and high functioning programs. They are also very committed to personal growth and career development and they promote from within quite frequently. If you are looking for an environment will you will be valued, expected to excel, and make a real difference in children and families lives then Bethany is a great place to work. If you are hoping to just get through Monday through Friday to collect a paycheck then you probably won't enjoy working for Bethany.

I come in every day and sort the mail from the previous day, distribute  mail to the staff mailboxes for 3 buildings.  I pass out files for the counseling staff for the day.  I check the voice mail from overnight and assist the client or caller.  I work in the client files sending records when requested, closing files for clients completed therapy, answer all incoming calls and direct them to the appropriate staff. I take minutes at the all staff meetings and distribute to all staff.  I have learned how to assist clients and help staff to complete tasks.  The hardest part of this job is to see the emotional side of families and work with abused and neglected children.  The most enjoyable part is seeing clients adjust to their situations and grow as individuals and be able to adjust to living as a family member not just as themselves.

The most enjoyable part about Bethany is how primarily all jobs were remote and you could make your own schedule. The hardest part was the large amounts of paperwork and filing that's needed to be kept up with in the chaotic world of foster care; both hard copies and virtually. BUSY is an understatement in foster care/child welfare services. There is not much room to grow at Bethany as you only have one supervisor and your roles are split up into teams. You have the ability to move from team to team or to a different department, but not much room to grow upwards where you are. You will be overworked as they are understaffed majority of the time as turnover is never ending!! The culture at Bethany involves Christian ideas and practices such as times of prayer and sharing with one another on weekly team meetings. If you are uncomfortable with that I would not recommend joining Bethany.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Endless opportunities to learn Child Welfare system

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
imbalanced caseloads, no support for cases, expectation to supervise all parenting times in a 3 county area 7 days per week

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Accusatory, unfriendly, and stressful with a lack of building coworker support in the office - No work from home days - Expected to work at an open table, side-by-side at least 5 days per week.  Workers do not have privacy to make calls & have to scramble to find an open office for court appearance.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typical day lasts an average of 10 hours while working at breakneck speed from start to finish.

Very busy and fast-moving pace when we had lots of kids in care. I learned a lot about the program, reuniting unaccompanied migrant minors with their sponsor in the US. It was fun working with the children, figuring  out and meeting their needs. I worked at the West Lansing, MI location, which had a great workplace culture and a great team. The hardest part was when several kids all arrived close together, because of the amount of intake time-stamped documentation that has to be completed in the first 1 to 5 days. The most enjoyable part was working with the children, many/most
 of whom had been through much trauma. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Case manager 69 salaries reported	$24.51 per hour
Youth specialist 57 salaries reported	$19.66 per hour
Family support specialist 12 salaries reported	$24.96 per hour
Therapist 7 salaries reported	$64,192 per year
Support specialist 9 salaries reported	$22.89 per hour

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