intervention specialist

behavioral specialist

teaching assistant

special education teacher

residential coordinator

Block Institute

I worked at Block for 3 years. My time there has been a cycle. The same thing over and over again with no improvements or growth. An agency that has been in existence for over 30 years should already have it somewhat together. This is not the case at Block. Instead of getting better, they are getting worse. Same leadership trainings with management not even leading the way as leaders should. Their values are: transparency  community, quality, respect, accountability and innovation. They are lacking all those values that they claim to project. The individuals makes you look forward to work more than management does. Top administrators like being their just to say they are in charge while doing very little. They care more about their finances than actually making this a suitable, fun, creative space for the individuals...it's always all about their money - the way they speak.

•a typical day at work started at 9:00 with morning bus duty, each staff was assigned a bus duty team and you were ether escorting the individuals to their classroom, or in the classroom preparing to receive the individual. We would escort the individuals into their classroom where staff present there would prepare the individual for the day’s activities depending on their activity calendar. The day ended at either 3:00 or 4:30 with PM bus duty and completing the day Activity Notes of each individual.
•what you learned at Block Institute was that everything an individual does communicate something about that individual. I worked mostly with non-verbal individuals and it was a challenge sometimes to know what the individual wanted.

While I was employed there the agency went through many staff changes

This agency has been around for over 50 years yet can't seem to get it right. Staff and management are constantly changing and there is a high level of nepotism throughout. Many are friends, relatives significant others which leaves anyone not one of those basically to fend for themselves and take on the work of people not doing their jobs because of their connections. If you even think of addressing the person or going to your supervisor for help you are reprimanded and given a write up. Workloads are uneven and you also can't ask for help there because you will not only not get any but then the person you asked for help from will retaliate. The only benefits of this job are that the individuals getting services are great to work with and not paying for insurance. 

If your like working with disable mentally changing people, this is the right work environment for you as far as management this company is  BIG MESS! I would not recommend anyone to work here. Tons of work load and unpaid. They act as if they care about their staff's but in reality they don't even care about the staff or the individuals. Once your in, you'll see how much of a MESS this place is and its sad because only the individuals lose out! You get attached to the individuals, gain their trust, bond with them and then you later have to leave them because the company is not good. I don't know how this place is still up and running.  

A typical day consisted of preparing and serving food for breakfast and lunch. It was usually premade food put into containers such as peanut butter and jelly or tossing a salad together. I learned what really goes on in a cafeteria and how much work goes into preparing the food. I have a new appreciation and empathy for the people who work in those cafeterias. I also got along with my co-workers with no problems. The most enjoyable part of the job was radio playing in the background. No part of the job was particularly challenging for me. There wasn't anything I didn't know how to do and I tried my best as well.

A typical day was more of a stress day The day start with getting the Individuals ready to attend Work shop or day program
- All medical appointments
- Individuals Annual or Semi or Annual meetings with all clinicians

I learned throughout the 21 years of working with Individuals with Intellectual disabilities are diagnosed with different types of disabilities and are treated differently.

Management was a team work all together

Hardest part of the job is disciplining staff. But it end up as team work with staff and management. Communication and professionalism which plays a huge factor .

When all staff and management can work together

supervise, review data, inservice staff
from this company I learned more about people with developmental disabilities and OPWDD regulations, management skills.
I meet new people almost everyday from the temp agencies we get staff from. I learn something new from them in terms of their background and their work history at other agencies.
Hardest part of the job is making sure staff follow their job description and work that is to be done on their shift. Also, having to take disciplinary action on staff.
the most enjoyable part of the job is seeing the individuals we serve smile when they enjoy something or just having pleasant conversations with them that means a lot to their day and happiness.

"No room for advancement,  Poor management the place became a revolving door for staff leaving. The most enjoyable part of the job was assisting clients  in achieving the highest level of independence to becoming productive in all areas of daily living skills, planning developing and assisting individual with daily goals and activities.  The hardest part of the job is short staff, and management will implement doubling up of 2 and 3 class room together sometimes 14 clients in a classroom with one permanent staff, and a substitute making it tired some for clients and staff".

This was my favorite job out of all the jobs I've had. I worked in the kitchen preparing breakfast and lunch for students and faculty at the school. I really liked the work and my co-workers. It was a pleasant experience for me all around. Its hard to think of anything I didn't like about it. I went into work every day with a bounce in my step and a positive outlook. I look back on that job with really fond memories. Sometimes I wish I could go back and work there again. I would definitely recommend working here to anyone.

I worked on the psych team at Block--consisting of some great colleagues. However, we each were based out of various locations within the company so it often felt as though our team was understaffed, having to rely on ourselves to care of many people on our own. A lot of staff in positions outside of the psych team were unreceptive to recommendations and did not appropriately care for our patients. The job would have been less stressful with more staff by my side. However, my team was amazing and I enjoyed being part of the psych squad. Such kind-hearted individuals caring for such special people every day.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Intervention specialist 3 salaries reported	$63,333 per year
Behavioral specialist 6 salaries reported	$26.91 per hour
Teaching assistant 4 salaries reported	$16.50 per hour
Special education teacher 4 salaries reported	$29.86 per hour
Residential coordinator 4 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour

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