case manager

consultant

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Centers for Independence

Unstable work environment with constant change. Inadequate support by therapy mgmt. and upper mgmt. Top heavy organization (i.e. excessive # of VP's with very high salaries). Some co-workers/managers were catty, cliquey, and unprofessional. The Therapy Department has/had some really great people, but was clearly divided into cliques, which can be partly explained by the merging of multiple therapy departments that previously ran independent from one another (constant change). I witnessed firsthand, current therapy management make decisions and pass judgments based on very little and/or inaccurate information. One employee in particular was the epitome of toadyism, and probably the source of much misinformation. I watched this lickspittle employee play multiple managers to perfection, a very disingenuous person that somehow was treated with more credibility (and civility) than deserved. Job could be very frustrating at times, especially when therapy management would present specious arguments to support their policies/procedures, and shedding light or presenting facts to assist was pointless if you were the perceived “outsider”, as your input meant nothing. I was undervalued, inadequately supported, and castaway in spite of doing everything that was ever asked of me. There are better jobs out there.

I worked as a Case Manager in LIFE Services for over three years.  MCFI is an agency who truly provides wonderful and productive services to the community.  My work with clients was incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable, and my coworkers were great:  the staff are there because they really enjoy the job and working with people.  Being a CM was an equal split of office time/paperwork and being on the floor for the day program activities.  Job duties are reasonable, though at times can feel monotonous; additionally, depending on your caseload's needs/if understaffed with CMs, your workload can drastically increase... but you're still expected to complete job tasks by specific deadlines with minimal office time provided and overtime never allowed.  There are random employee perks, which are great:  health clinic for employees, free short massages during the day, free food for random celebrations, etc.  

MCFI's LIFE Services is rumored to be the best in the area, but the program staff's wages are among the lowest compared to similar agencies.  A huge number of coworkers (myself included) had a second job to make up the difference.  If I would have stayed more long-term, I would likely have been bored with a limited scope of job responsibilities and a very low opportunity for advancement (or even more challenging job duties).  There's also a high turnover for some staff positions (related to wages, as I heard from several former coworkers), which can create extra headaches for the program in general.

MCFI is a good company that provides multiple services for all age individuals with medical disabilities. I enjoy what I do.  Being able to interact effectively and learn how to properly serve those in need of assistance is the most enjoyable part of my job.  The hardest part of my job is being away from my 2 teenage daughters 5 nights a week.

The management consistency in my group home has not been the most effective. 3 house managers in 18 months has not been a smooth transition for the house employees or clients. The management has no diversity. 97% of group home management staff are the same gender, race, age range and clicked up. The group home qualified employees are not being advanced, finding other employment or being terminated. 

I have a really good support team of full time and part time staff. I am currently the full time 3rd shift CBRF certified Community Recovery Specialist at one of  the MCFI group homes. Each staff member's duties are consistent, which makes it pleasurable to greet one another at shift change time.

A typical night @ work consists of cleaning, cooking, laundry, client interaction/documentation and medication distribution if needed.

The most important lessons I've learned is that ALL people are to be treated with dignity and respect; no matter what their current mental or medical disability.  I also learned the meaning of " Know when the hold'em and know when to fold'em as well".

I worked in a management role and was committed to the organization's mission. Throughout my tenure, I consistently took on additional responsibilities, received positive performance feedback, and worked hard to support organizational goals.

Unfortunately, I found senior leadership to be lacking in transparency, particularly regarding organizational decisions and strategic direction. Priorities frequently shifted, communication was inconsistent, and important decisions often seemed disconnected from the realities faced by employees and managers.

While there are dedicated employees throughout the organization, the culture at the leadership level felt reactive rather than strategic. Trust between leadership and staff was difficult to maintain due to limited communication and a lack of clarity around decision-making. Individuals considering management positions should ask detailed questions about organizational stability, leadership expectations, and how major decisions are communicated to employees.

We do schools in the Milwaukee, Kenosha, and 
Racine Area for children.
Come in at 5am get my production sheets ready for the shipout person. Assign production sheets to the staff. Check in Us Foods, Alpha bakery, Marchese, and lasky milk production to make sure everythings in that we order. I learned to do way more multi tasking projects than before. My manager is a Executive Chef, so me and him work together to ensure the meals have good presentation, tastes good, etc. I have dedicated workers who work with us. The hardest part of the job is not getting what we ordered from us foods. And getting tasks at the last minute( last minute literally)
The schools and my employees our wonderful. Visiting different schools and meeting new people. Having a good atmosphere at work. There's no I in team here where we work.

When I arrive at work I check on each client. I make sure the each client has their medication. I also make sure the clients have completed their assigned cleaning areas. I encourage the clients and prompt them if their adl's are not completed. If a client have missed any of their medication their case manager and my supervisor are informed. The clients are mostly independent and each day I'm assigned a different task. After my task is completed I start on my documentation. Every day I deal with a different situation but I'm prepared and educated on each client’s disorder.  I enjoy working with my clients. The hardest part of my job is when my clients refuse to take their medication, because I care about their well-being. I manage and supervisor community meal and Tuesday and Fridays outing. I'm the only full time staff so I work directly with case managers and my supervisor.

I believe everyone in the organization genuinely has the professional behaviour and compassion too see the greater need to provide a loving and nurturing environment to individual that are mentally challenged with disabilities. This particular organization helps those that have certain special needs reintergrate themselves socially in our schools, communities, and get them prepared for work the environment too earn income that foster good self esteem, confidence, and the ability to meet expectations in the work place.

Coming in greeting my comrades and being welcome by the sweet smells of the kitchen at breakfast and the hearty richness of lunch time. My duties included bagging lunches for kids and families with special needs.Ensuring that my workspace in the kitchen was always clean.as well as rotating the cooler and the fridge,also able to lift 75 lbs. what i learned was that teamwork can take you along way and that drive and will power can make you work pretty fast when the time calls for it(lol). The hardest part was remembering to punch in and out because of everything that would go on throughout the day.Contrary the most desireable time was when we could enjoy each other and laugh and talk while working.

A typical day at work begins when other people unnecessarily try to get in your business. I learned that politics can take over a company. The top management makes 100k+ while everyone else is stuck doing the grunt work, and there is no opportunity for advancement. The micro-management style is ridiculous and they provide no constructive criticism or performance feedback. They just told me that my job was ending without any explanation. The co-workers are forced to be rivals, rather than working together collaboratively and in a teamwork environment. The hardest part of the job is that it is so mundane. The most enjoyable part of the job is the end of the day.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The work life balance and all the great things we do for those in the community. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The only thing stressful were the client crisis but that comes with certain positions. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very inviting, workplace. Again, they stress work life balance and positive mental health. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Depends on your position. I worked as an education and employment specialist and care manager. I was out in the community most of the time for both positions or in participant’s home.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Case manager 3 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Consultant 7 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Care worker 7 salaries reported	$11.00 per hour
Clinician 4 salaries reported	$37,794 per year
Recruiter 3 salaries reported	$48,667 per year

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