youth worker

direct care worker

mental health technician

case manager

facility supervisor

Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility

My experience working as a case manager was very challenging and often overwhelming. The workload was heavy, expectations were high, and there was limited structure to support staff in managing responsibilities effectively. From early on, the environment felt stressful, with frequent reminders that disciplinary action or termination was possible, which contributed to low morale.

Management support was inconsistent. I was placed in situations that I was not adequately trained for and often had to navigate complex scenarios without guidance from my supervisor. Despite being new to the position, I was expected to take on additional duties, including assisting with training other case managers, before fully mastering my own role.

Professional boundaries were not always upheld. Discussions about staff discipline and performance occurred openly in front of other employees, which felt inappropriate and created discomfort among the team. Communication from leadership was often unclear, and accountability was lacking.

The workplace culture made it difficult to feel motivated or valued. High turnover was noticeable, and burnout among staff seemed common. Conversations about clients were at times discouraging, which was difficult in a field that requires empathy and professionalism.

Policies regarding holidays and pay were not clearly explained during onboarding. Although paid holidays were referenced, hourly staff were only compensated if they worked on those days, which felt misleading once employed.

While the role did provide experience working with youth and helped develop documentation and case management skills, the overall environment took a toll on my well-being. Improvements in leadership, training, communication, and staff support would greatly benefit both employees and the clients being served.


Although Dimondale appears impressive on paper, it’s obvious that the organization is unfair and has disorganized upper management. Furthermore, the wellbeing of the children, which should be a top priority, is often neglected. The company's outward appearance masks a multitude of sneaky and unethical practices.

The upper management is chaotic, rude, and disorganized. Decision-making processes are opaque and seem to favor a select few. There is a distinct lack of communication and coordination among the leadership team, leading to inconsistent policies and practices. Employees often find themselves left in the dark, expected to adapt to sudden changes without adequate explanation or support.

 Despite the company's mission statement, the actual wellbeing of the children under Dimondale care is not a priority. Corners are cut to save costs, often at the expense of providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children. Staff are overworked and under-supported, making it difficult to maintain the level of care that the children deserve. The focus seems to be on appearances and numbers rather than genuine care and development.
 

Behind the scenes, Dimondale engages in a number of unfair practices. Promises made to both clients and employees are frequently broken, leading to a pervasive sense of distrust and dissatisfaction with employees. 

Workplace culture: It can be very chill and easy going with easy task to work, but it does get tricky once someone doesn't know what there doing.  

Hardest part of job: Management may sometimes be unpleasant with someone and don't tell you what your doing wrong they sit back and let you rot. Coming to work to think positive but not receiving a welcome or greeting from the staff and administrators sucks. It feels like your on your own.

Enjoyable part of job: Is working with the resident and getting to be with them and see them sparkle and grow.

Learned: Where all the paperwork was medicine cabinet, facility phone and two sets of keys for all the lock doors. Safety plan for the residents, which are there triggers, hobbies, and activities after post-crisis. Administrator SUV Ford xle 2019, transport the kids to school, appointments, or outing in the weakened. Make food follow daily day Menu for lunch or dinner portion for that day. 

Favoritism. Sub-par management. The kind of place where leadership cares only about themselves and leave the staff to deal with all things not related to money. Let’s not talk about the lack of training and sky-high expectations that follow. The abuse from clients- for which you will be blamed for “triggering” them. If fellow staff do ever show up to support you and aren’t late- they are too busy gossiping and forming leagues to get someone else out- only to complain they are short- staffed. Staff and management will throw you under the bus in half a second- and you should learn to trust no one. You must do constant last- minute unscheduled or announced trainings on your off days and off-shift hours, and you must go to their unpaid mandatory holiday events which everyone complains about- but no one speaks up- because they are too scared to lose their jobs. If you need a place to work for a bit and love bitter single women and brown-nosing- then you have your heaven here. If you know your worth- like many others who have left and will be leaving soon- stay away. Far warning. The 1 week a year they give in PTO is not worth it. 

Once i walk through the door my day begins, i clock in and do my routine house check. I learned how to have patience with these adolescent and be able to have an open ear. The management is okay and i work well with them. My co-workers are young adults and older adults and we work well together. Sometime they can be a pain but overall we are a team. The hardest part is the shift that i work which is swing (1:30pm to11:30pm). Who wants to go to work in the middle of the day. That shift keeps me away from my children during the week day which i need to be there helping them with their homework. What i enjoy about that job is that i am helping these adolescent that has a lot of problems and mental issues. I love what i do and the children love me as well. Some of the girls are willing to excepted my help and some are not but i am not going to turn my back on them because they feel that nothings wrong with them. I will continue to extend my services to them in the best way as possible.

I worked for DACF for a year to really give it a chance, but I couldn’t do it any longer. I have never had a job where I dreaded the moment my supervisor would come in. Training is poorly done and she would tell you that you will learn as you go. I would have supervisions on items I was never taught. She expects more from staff than herself. My supervisor would take multiple smoke breaks on duty, use the company car to get herself food, assign management tasks to staff (ex. organizing petty and giving allowance), come in 30 minutes late everyday, inform both residents and staff that the youth need to go to school so she can leave and go home. The turnover rate is ridulously high, I’ve seen staff quit after a day, a week and a month. The biggest complaint I heard was usually management. They do not support their staff. I’d rather be unemployed then go back.

This place is unethical, unprofessional and a haven for children cattle, whom they harbor for profits only. There are no winners working for or coming out of these homes, for the program nor the structure is geared toward helping children recover, and become a productive part of society. The workers are paid bare minimum for working with the most incorrigible children around, and the company offers almost no benefits nor raises. The staff has no experience and the ones who have, has given up on the kids. This company has an outstandingly high turnover rate and that is due to all the reasons mentioned above. Children are used here as a paycheck and the workers are merely babysitters.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great place to learn about supporting the youth and management gives you all the training and support you feel you need and the perks is company gatterings and meeting new people.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Time management and not enough coverage when staff calls off

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
And the culture is diversity there is a mixture of culture there different styles that are unique that fit into a puzzle that makes one unit

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
My day starts off busy then by the afternoon is slow style some days it's busy and some days it's hectic and some days it's calm

Pros

* Meaningful work with youth
* Opportunities to build de-escalation and communication skills
* Some team members are supportive and care about the clients

Cons

* Inconsistent policies and expectations, especially around safety and interventions
* Lack of clear guidance can make situations stressful and unpredictable
* Management support can feel limited during critical incidents
* Workplace culture can be reactive rather than collaborative at times

Advice to Management

Improve consistency in policies and ensure all staff are trained and aligned on expectations. Provide stronger support during incidents and foster a more professional, team-oriented environment.

⸻

Overall

Working here can be rewarding, but the lack of consistency and support makes it a challenging environment long-term.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Youth worker 13 salaries reported	$22.00 per hour
Direct care worker 5 salaries reported	$22.00 per hour
Mental health technician 2 salaries reported	$26.00 per hour
Case manager 2 salaries reported	$24.00 per hour
Facility supervisor 3 salaries reported	$25.33 per hour

Working at Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility: Company Overview and Reviews

Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility

Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility Ratings

Popular jobs at Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected