direct support professional

licensed practical nurse

group manager

recruiter

support coordinator

Community Access Unlimited

Well right now, most of us are stuck at home due to the Corona Virus, which I don't like, because I'm a people person and I like being out and about helping those in the community that I serve.   You also have to deal with a lot of computer issues, constant deadlines, and paperwork.  Also be able to keep up with the constant policy and agency changes.  This company is not flex-able with earned vacation time even after you put in the extra work to help your colleagues out.  When you earn time they should allow you to take it, when you can, and not lose it.  And they don't really give you raises, so you feel like you have to keep your options open even though you may really like the position.  This company should give standard raises every year like other companies do.  Not raises that are subjective in nature and not based on achievable objectives which seems fairer. They do recognize years that you put into the job with a recognition luncheon a couple of times a year and a small bonus check based on the years that you worked ( $100 after three years?)  and they even have a raffle with $20 gas, grocery, or coffee gift cards out to the employees by luck of the draw, which can be nice.  I like that we have the ability to take courses and trainings through out the year and engage in activities with the members.  I also like seeing that we truly make a difference in our members lives and within the community that we serve.  And this company does recognize those achievements.  However, I'm a big proponent on recognizing your valued employee year round.  Trust goes both ways in my book, if you don't work with people and reward them for the hard work that they do and at least allow them time that they earned? Why should they stay and work hard for an agency.  

Currently, I am a Support Counselor at Community Access Unlimited Summer 640 Group Home. My shift starts at the 3 pm to 11 pm straight. A typical day for consist of coming in to work fifteen minutes before my shift starts. I would verify my schedule, monthly duties, communication board, and check my email.
After providing myself with a personal update of all activities such as; members' accomplishments/disappointments, weekly menu and upcoming meetings for the week then I transition to meet with the Group home members. Members are greeted, a house check is conducted, Medical records are reviewed, communication log is read, and daily logs are reviewed and updated. Staff/Support Counselor documents hourly activities of members. Members on the Independent level are documented every two hours. Staff may teach member basic cooking techniques, how to separate his clothes when washing and/or perform mock budgeting. Staff/Support Counselor and co-workers communicate to manage all members appropriately. Keeping track of all members can sometimes become difficult if a member does not sign out and another Staff arrives to start his/her shift and no information on the members whereabouts are available or documented on the sign out sheet. The most enjoyable aspect of the Group Home are the members. The members have character, personality, spirits, and behaviors that are all natural. The interaction and learning from the members are also another great part of the career experience at Community Access unlimited.

A typical day consists of various complexities in with people with disable but its a very rewarding tasking is providing support for them. My goal and objectives to provide support  services  for people  with disabilities  and at-risk  youth  by  giving them the opportunity  to live independently as  productive  citizen integrated  into their  community typically, i provide employment-related service to them so in  order  for them to attain  gainful employment, service in  job coach, perform on-site job visits  so that they could maintain employment status ,  I also teach life skills such as opening and maintaining a bank account. other functions include providing educational counseling, advocacy services and make referrals and conduct TABE ( Tests of Adult  Basic Education) testing, screening, and assessment.  
personally, the only hindrance  I find difficult with the job is when we the counselors are not collectively able help provide adequate service to the clients due to goverment cut back in funding and services, which jeopardizes the quality of life for those people with disabilities breaks my heart. what I have learned on the job are kindness ,  humility and self motivation

I started working at CAU a little over 3 years ago as an administrative assistant. I was very excited but nervous to start as this would be my first full time job. All of my coworkers and supervisors made me feel very comfortable and welcomed right away on my first day. The trainings seemed a bit intimidating, but the trainers did an amazing job making them fun and keeping everyone engaged while still making sure everyone is learning. A typical day for me varies from day to day, however i would say my job is very rewarding in the sense that i feel i am a true part of the team and the agency as a whole. I would say the most rewarding part of my job is giving admin support to the program staff and executives to ensure our members get the highest quality care. I love working with the members, they are so funny and so nice! It's very difficult to make sure all employees in an agency so large always feel appreciated, but the executives of CAU are constantly looking for ways to ensure employees feel important and supported. We have numerous appreciation days and events where the agency provides employees with CAU gear and even gift cards for our hard work. It has been an awesome 3 years growing within the agency and being a part of such a hard working team. Thank you CAU!!! 

I enjoyed the work I did with the members. Other than that, the job was horrible. I was expected to do the job of a direct care professional AND my job as a behaviorist, which was never mentioned in the interview stages. There is only 3 hours to do behaviorist work (if you can even get to a computer) and the rest of the day is completing DSP tasks (changing diapers, assisting with bathing, making meals, driving to appointments, etc.) There was no training and little help/advice was given when asked for assistance. The staff expects the behaviorists to make problematic behaviors just disappear at a snap of the fingers, even if you’re new and don’t know what to do due to little training. During the height of COVID, positive or possible positive cases of the members in the group home were not always disclosed to the behaviorist if traveling to different homes. If the behaviorist work can’t be completed, whether it’s because there’s no available computer or have too much to do in such little time, it is expected to stay after hours to complete. You will be stressed and overwhelmed if you work here. The only thing working at CAU has taught me was that my mental and physical health is not worth a job, especially if you’re not appreciated. 

I remember being excited to begin my duties as a support counselor for CAU. Yet, after working in one of their homes for just a week, I quickly realized that the agency held no regard for it's members or employees. Members often skip meals and on my second day working I watched in disbelief as staff approved for a member to eat fries for breakfast. Staff often invite people from outside the agency to come and "hangout" in the resdiences and they also use the agency vehicles for their own use. Members are given meds in the living room of the homes and they often are unregulated and easily accessible. The members talk freely about desires, drinking, and smoking with staff, so there is very little proffessionalism involved. The trainings are sporadic and untimely, and they also over book them so people get turned away. The agency will give you very few details of your job description, so be prepared to be confused and "out of place" upon your starting. After a week, I decided to leave this agency and go to another one with better values. I enjoyed the flexibility that the company offers, but it wasn't worth me staying. Now I know why they must hire new people every Monday at their open houses! No one stays..

I've been working for CAU for about a year now and I would love to know where the people who wrote such great reviews for CAU work. This company is very deceitful, run poorly, and money is the main motive. I should have paid attention to all the warning signs when I went on my first interview, which was a open call type of interview. Anyone can come to CAU on certain days and fill out an application anyone regardless of background and anyone can get hired as well. They have a high turn over rate which if you ask they will say its low. They are not the highest paying organization in their field, which they have said they are. Walking into the main office is like walking into a funeral home. Everyone has a frown on their face. I can go on and on about this company the only reason I'm writing this is because I'm really shocked by the great reviews, which I wouldn't be surprised if people from HR put up. I can say the only benefit I fond working here is that the trainings that you receive can be used at other jobs. If CAU is your ONLY ONLY choice then so be it if not run away don't waste your time and risk your health.

As a consultant, meeting clients from all walks of life and helping them to enroll in a program to help their friends and family was fulfilling and enjoyable. The hours are set by appointment, so you can easily schedule work around school or another job. There is a lot of travel involved since appointments are held in the participant's home. Benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.) were great as well, which makes up for somewhat mediocre pay. Learning how to interact with people is a must have for working at CAU, as well as keeping organized to manage the roughly 130+ participants that you are responsible for. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of room for advancement from the consultant position, since it seems like this job is meant to be a secondary, part-time, or temporary occupation. It is possible to advance to a supervisory position, but you lose the flexibility of the hours in return for slightly higher pay.

• Under the direction of the nursing staff and the Director of Nurses, provided basic patient care for five (5) residents in a long-term care facility
• Performed various daily duties including, but not limited to: bathing; grooming; feeding (if necessary); dressing; assisting patients with walking, exercising and moving in/out of bed; transporting patients to/from treatments; answering patients’ call signals
• Responsible for the collection and packaging of samples/specimens to be tested
• On a daily basis, or as deemed by the nursing staff or doctor’s orders, was responsible for the monitoring, observating and recording various vital signs – blood pressure, pulse, changes in weight, food intake. Any acute changes were recorded in the patient’s chart and relayed to the nursing staff for follow up.
• Provided daily written and verbal reports to the nursing staff on the well-being of the residents, including, but not limited to, any noticeable changes such in moods, vital signs, meal consumption, and liquid intake.

Unfortunately, my time here was cut shorter than I intended due to personal reasons. However, my experience wasn’t so much the same as some. Although, I completely understand the other reviews as well. I was able to grow within the nonprofit and gain valuable transferable skills. The benefits were extremely helpful especially whenever my children were sick. When I first joined, I was a DSP and through time was promoted to a director. If you’re able to weather things out, see things positively with a solutions based approach to conflicts as they arise you should be fine as an employee. If hired, do not take my suggestion of solutions based as an employee as an answer or theme for working with members. That was more so in reference to when issues or conflicts a rise.  Please follow whatever their current policies are if hired. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Always carry and use your calendar/journal. Best of luck!!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 5 salaries reported	$21.19 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 8 salaries reported	$31.63 per hour
Group manager 2 salaries reported	$64,949 per year
Recruiter 2 salaries reported	$28.84 per hour
Support coordinator 2 salaries reported	$28.00 per hour

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