substance abuse counselor

program manager

administrative assistant

program director

nurse practitioner

CENTER POINT, INC.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The population I get to work with. Helping others manifest their potential is absolutely rewarding. No overtime or weekends.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working for Center Point is a chore and hassle. Though it has gotten better, its been rough here. Being micro managed. Work place gossip. High turnover rate. Lots of negative attitudes. Lack of supervisors and staff results in having to take on a lot more than you should. CDCR, and DRP have ultimate say over what goes on in a prison, so it feels like our bosses are just middle men. They have no real say over anything and they do not advocate for staff with CDCR or DRP.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It was downright hostile and toxic for my first 6 months. Recently, some changes have been made so things are getting better. Still, this environment and work place culture will grind you down.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I facilitate 2-3 groups. These days go by fast because each group is 2hrs long. Tuesday and Thursdays are paperwork and training days. These days can be packed full of tension. Doing documentation, keeping up with deadlines, fighting for a spot on the copy machines to make curriculum for the next week. (2 copy machines for 10-15 staff members who are all trying to print put 100 or so packets). No onsite restroom which means I have to walk into the facility to use the restroom, which can be occupied due to it being single occupancy.

I currently work at Center Point Inc  and  have been treated with ultimate respect. The head of the company tries everything to help  accommodate and educate her staff. She is always 10 steps ahead of any regulation changes, rules, counseling styles and is internationally known as an expert in the SUD industry and trains as such. There is NO OTHER agency you will learn what you lean at Center Point. If helping others is truly your passion this is the place to be. The work is an expectation of the job; follow what has been taught and you will excel. The hardest part of the job is going home and not being around the women or when a client moves on. Salaries are very competitive and you are commended for the work you do. The VP always takes your calls if you need him, and teaches quality lessons. The culture is like any other culture on the front line of treatment... not everyone is always meant for this work so, it can be difficult at times. The most enjoyable part of the job is the true compassion from the top down and the real team relationships... with peers and clients alike. Center Point has always been truly invested in helping those who need help, meeting the client where they are at. It's a place you'd want to be a part of. Ive been around CP off and on since 91, my last return was in 2017

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with the incarcerated population is a challenge that is exciting, and very rewarding. Making a difference in the lives of those getting ready to go home, giving them hope and a new outlook on life. Center Point has good benefits that are completely paid by the company for their employees, and great people to work with.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working inside the prison can be challenging due to navigating the rules and procedures of the prison system. Unpredictability due to issues that arise, causing groups and sessions to be cancelled can be frustrating, but safety is extremely important.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I enjoyed working with the team at Pelican Bay State Prison. The corporate staff for Center Point was easy to talk to, and when approached with any issues, they were always right on top of finding solutions as quickly as possible.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Running group sessions with 12-18 participants was rewarding and fun. Seeing the change in these individuals in their thinking and goals made each day worth it.

The actual job is amazing and rewarding. The compensation is competitive. The benefits are less than desirable and insurance is expensive only offering Kaiser. The problem with this organization is in the executive management. The high numbers of staff leaving and planning to leave soon speaks for itself. The management is extremely micro managers, they do not value their staff, their communication is extremely lacking and they never show any appreciation for staff. They are quick to point out everything you do wrong without offering training when hired. They don't think ahead which creates last minute directions, confusion, and much frustration. Several directors have said they do everything they can to stay away from higher management and some are seeking other jobs, and willing to take a pay cut just to get out of the clutches of this reactive and punitive executive team. The culture is very negative. They advertise one salary and reduce that when actually hired.

Any addictive/recovery work environment is stressful and demanding ... it is no different here.  Many staff members are recovering addicts themselves which helps them relate to the struggles each client has.  The companies approach to recovery has evolved over time, initially being quite demeaning to clients and punitive...almost shame based.  It has improved (in my opinion) and there is less "in your face" confrontations when someone breaks the house rules, but the burn out rate for staff is real.  There is always a lack of staffing and improvements/repairs (such as up-do-date computers/printers) are long in coming.  The work however, is most rewarding particularly when a graduate returns to encourage others in the program.  As a career counselor, I often benefited from the feedback of successful graduates who became gainfully employed.  It takes a self-sufficient, professional who can work independently and is self motivated to succeed here.

ABUSIVE!! Corporate does not promote educated, qualified managers from what i have seen. Their lack of knowledge and experience hinders the services the clients are entitled to and only promotes the recidivism to return to custody like a revolving door. Thank god the State of California had to breach contract due to budget crisis within the Legislature. Furthermore they do not provide training and failed the State audit with an extremely low percentage of adherence to their contractual obligations.In addition, I have met a couple of stand up people that are still my friends to this day whom I am grateful for and to call my friends. The inmates were a joy to work with and had alot of insight to gain from counseling and the lifers were also a huge asset to the program.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with the inmate population and watching the hope develop in the faces.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
No breaks. No lunchroom so meal period is at your desk and someone is always coming to you for work related things. Never once received a 10 minute break, let alone 2 pershift.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
For the most part, co-workers were amazing. We all supported each other and were always willing to cover a group if necessary.  Supervisors are another story...

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
MWF:  3 GROUPS BACK TO BACK WITH LITTLE OR NO TIME BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GROUP AND BARELY A FEW MINUTES BETWEEB 2ND AND 3RD GROUP THEN BASICALLY MINUTES TO PUT CURRICULUM AWAY, DOCUMENT AND POOF TIME TO GO. TUE THURS PAPERWORK AND NAKE UP DAYS.

I started with the Center Point team in 2018 as a Substance Use Disorder counselor conducting assessments over the phone for community members seeking treatment. I have been working in this field 30+ years now and had never worked at a Call Center doing assessments. Center Point's  Executive team allowed me to learn on the job and to advance as a lead counselor, and into my current position as the Program Manager at the Call Center. The problem solving aspect of a new project such as a Call Center is the type of challenge I need after 30 years in this ever changing field. I appreciate the wisdom and foresight our Executive team share with me to meet the challenges. 

I've worked in the field over 15 years. Was working at the same prison, doing the same job under a different company, but when CDCR switched contractor's, I began to work for Center Point. I was fired after requesting disability accomodation that was considered reasonable by the previous contractor/company. Other coworkers were fired for taking time off because of cancer.  Benefits were expensive and do not cover dependents or other family members. Medical insurance for an employee plus one child was $1400 per month. Dental and vision for 2 people was about $75 extra per month. No other benefits are offered. I would never recommend a person work for this company. The work itself is rewarding and beneficial to the incarcerated population. If you have the opportunity to do that work with another company I'd highly recommend it. But if Center Point is the contractor stay away!!

Working at this company was a terrible experience. Managers are micromanaged incessantly, not allowed even the smallest autonomy in decision-making, and receive no meaningful support from leadership. Objectives and priorities shift constantly, creating impossible expectations and a stressful work environment. The company's primary focus is enriching a few top executives at the expense of everyone else. If you report fraudulent activities, expect retaliation, persecution, and termination instead of protection. Worst of all, the company’s notoriously poor reputation within the industry severely damages your future career opportunities—employers are hesitant to hire anyone associated with them. Avoid this employer if you value your professional future.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Substance abuse counselor 9 salaries reported	$29.56 per hour
Program manager 3 salaries reported	$85,000 per year
Administrative assistant 15 salaries reported	$23.40 per hour
Program director 5 salaries reported	$88,000 per year
Nurse practitioner 5 salaries reported	$118,000 per year

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