direct support professional

innovation manager

community support specialist

housing manager

transportation specialist

Charles Lea Center

What HR and Management say is different than what actually happens on the job. The training is positive but what happens when you get out on the job is different.  
You will probably work by yourself and this opens you up to malicious allegations from clients and even co-workers.
The pay is low, so if you are a creative and professional person and you work hard to do what is right, you will never feel compensated and you will work with people who have no common sense, yell and scream at you and the clients and get away with it.
You will enter a culture of bullying.  If you try to remain professional, you will be targeted by coworkers.  Go to your supervisors and they will agree with you but do nothing about it.  
Many clients are wonderful, some are dangerous and there are many injuries directly caused by clients.  You will probably be by yourself, so nobody will be there to corroborate what happens to you.
Scabies runs rampant, but is not reported properly or treated properly because the doctor seems to work for the center and won't complete the necessary referrals to definitively say that the infestations are scabies. 
The coworkers are close knit with family and friends working together and they and do not like "outsiders." 
Heavy culture that treats clients as children or prisoners.  
Many clients are severely emotionally/mentally disturbed and the center will not seek mental health therapy for them, instead sliding through a loophole that states the center can create behavior support plans.  These plans are carried out by people who aren't mental health professionals and most of whom do not have anything higher than a GED or high school diploma. These clients will also lie about staff and often get staff put on administrative leave for investigation purposes.  Clients will even call the police on you from center phones or their own cell phones.  
Management will pander to clients, even if they know clients are lying.  
Management will rehire staff that has proved themselves to be hostile towards clients and coworkers.
Management will rationalize mistreatment. 
Management will put you in harm's way: unstable coworkers, not fully staffing appropriately, unstable clients. 
Management controls the work environment. When you are injured as a result of exposure to that environment, management will not own the responsibility to fix it.
You do the work of two or three people and receive little or no appreciation.
Some workers get away with things that others don't.
Supervisors deflect responsibility.
You are asked to falsify data, reports or documents.
Coworkers and clients rely on fear and intimidation.
You or others are at risk because of unsafe conditions.
You or others have ever been threatened or assaulted.
Coworkers interrupt your work, invade your space and help themselves to your papers. Nothing is hidden, locked or out of bounds for them to go through. 
Constant gossip, politics and spying including illegal use of cell phones to record conversations, video and take pictures.

Charles Lea employs "warm bodies", people who are there for a check only and will do the minimum required. The HR dept is unprofessional and tells direct care staff things they should NOT know which shows no confidentiality. Some members of management were let go due to staff complaints.  They brought in 2 ladies from residential who do not know how to speak to people and do not want gossip but are steady gossiping. People in residential know the gossip at Focus!! Staff in the classrooms are on their phones constantly even though we've all signed the "no cell phone" policy. Direct care staff know things that are talked about in management staff meetings. The individuals are NOT receiving the care they need to due to the fact that staff are too busy on their phones and like to have power struggles with the individuals.  I would NOT recommend this place of employment to anyone. I'm searching for a job as we speak!! The executive director needs to sit down and really take a look at what's going on. He'd be shocked if he knew what went on behind these classroom doors!! The services that are offered to the individuals are great, you just need people who care to fulfill their needs!!!

Charles Lea itself is a great organization. They have a great mission statement that is never followed. The individuals are a load of fun and you learn things from them. The best part is supporting the individuals. You don’t have job security at this company. They don’t advocate for their employees at all. Upper management make up policies as they go and don’t take responsibility for things that a major. They will throw you under the bus to save themselves or to keep themselves from looking bad. They talk about the Person centered approach, which they should do away with. The certainly aren’t Person centered. They will destroy your reputation and character. Beware of the management, exuctive director and definitely the senior director. It’s great being able to help people with disabilities but the people/management their horrible people. This whole company should be exposed for all the wrong the do as far as treating employees and covering up things to keep them safe. I’m sure the board of directors have no clue what goes on day to day. Don’t work for this company if you can help it!

mplement the program plan as required for each individual
Train and supervise individuals in daily living skills,  which includes housekeeping, personal care, money management, meal preparation, social development skills and appropriate behavioral responses
Maintain a clean and safe home for individuals 
Prepare nutritious meals, taking into account each individual's diet, health and physical needs
Administer medications timely and accurately
Transport individuals safely (in a CLC provided vehicle)
Participate in routine staff meetings
Advocate on behalf of individuals served
Ensure individuals are clean, appropriately groomed and dressed in clean, neat and weather appropriate clothing
Maintain proper accounting and documentation of client and house funds
Complete required training, which is ongoing
Perform job in a professional manner at all times
Maintain a cooperative relationship with co-workers and other administrative staff

Management is terrible. They do not want to listen to options of staff that have been here 15+ years. They don't care about our individuals the way they should. They think because they have a title of high power they can just do as they please while ruining peoples lives and messing with our money. They claim there is no budget for this and that but somehow find money to buy new things for their offices.. Like new furniture for their offices. They preach all day long about no gossiping but do it behind their staffs back. They have little to no respect for anyone in this facility.. And the higher ups that run this place are clueless of how many of their employees hate working here. So many people have been saying in the last 4-5 months things have went so far south they are going to find new jobs. Someone really needs to open their eyes about their own company.. I would never recommend this company for anyone unless they are just looking for great benefits and horrible managers.

I started out as a direct support professional as a live in straight out of college. This was a great foot in the door for me because I was provided with room and board and a monthly stipend for groceries. I have grown close the individuals I work with and serve. Some days are stressful with multiple doctor appointments, meetings, etc. but the job is definitely a rewarding one. The company allows growth and encourages you to challenge yourself by taking on new positions and roles. Within a year and a half I was promoted to team lead. I am currently still with the company and look forward to future possibilities.

A typical day is giving help individuals with disabilities with their daily living. I cook, clean and give them medication on a daily basis. I take them on outings in the community. The center also has different events that we attend. I have learned how to give out medication, I have learned that people have different disabilities and abilities. Some of them were born with them, and some were not. I love my co workers we all work as a team. And we are a strong team. The hardest part of the job would be losing a patient, or see them sick and you cant help. The hardest part for me would be leaving this job because they get so attached to you, because to most of them you are the only family that they have. The most enjoyable part of this job is seeing them smile, and the fact that small things make them happy.

A day at GCDSNB is very interesting and fun at the same time. I had to help alot of the people their write their names or how to count money. Giving them hugs to let them know that we care about them and just talk to them like everything is normal which it is. They love to go out and do things like bowling, shopping, eat at a nice restaurant. We make them feel like they are no different from people who do not have an disability. 
The hardest part is that some get to attach and wanna be around you, want to go home and have melt downs when your shift is over. 
 The co-workers are fun too, especially if the team is on the same page with growth and development for the people.
The most enjoyable part of my job was when I see them wanna be independent after everything we have taught them, they dont need our help anymore.

Its  great place to work your helping people with different disabilities learn how to work in everyday environments. Management is ok depending on what areas your working in some managers like to make rules up as they go but if your smart and read the rules from HR you'll be fine. Co workers are great just like anywhere you work some will complain but for the most they get the job done. The  Hardest part of the Job would have to be the managers or co workers with the changing of the rules as they go and Co workers who are not doing there part to help out. The most enjoyable thing about working here is that the people you serve are fun to work with and its nice training someone who is willing to learn new job task and watching them grow to be able to work in the community.

What is the best part of working at the company?
When long time employees develop really bad attitudes. I would consider thinking long and hard before applying for a job there, full time or part time. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Some people have really bad attitudes. As if working with disabled individuals isn't stressful enough.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stress is high when working around disabled individuals.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Thank God I only worked part time. I do not know how full timers can pull it off without having a heart attack or stroke or a mental breakdown.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 315 salaries reported	$17.80 per hour
Innovation manager 29 salaries reported	$22.03 per hour
Community support specialist 21 salaries reported	$16.34 per hour
Housing manager 15 salaries reported	$45,817 per year
Transportation specialist 8 salaries reported	$17.51 per hour

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