peer advocate

residential counselor

case manager

counselor

clinician

Family and Childrens Association

Overall a day at work was fast paced and full of many different personalities between co-workers and clients.  It was a joyful experience seeing a face  which began with a frown to a smile from start to finish as you worked with clients to fulfill their needs.  The most thing that I have learned that all people weather the came from upper incomes to lower incomes including poverty level have many things in common with one another, ranging from family issues to simple lack of communication issues and all have had in common a general need to be heard and understood and for someone to have the empathy to extend a hand to help even if it was in the most simple way of just saying " I understand ". My Staff and team that I have worked with in the past have always been energetic and team players and have had similar to future sightings of the way our society runs and what could possibly change to better function for all and not just the chosen few.  The hardest things that I have had to deal with in the public profession I have chosen is trying my hardest not to have favoritism towards those who may be in more need than others due to their situations.....one must look at everyone as equal as possible and act accordingly to the situation at hand.  The most rewarding part of the field I am in is again the satisfaction that you see when you have helped someone through their situation and see them feel and show  the confidence they have to continue on with life in a positive way and outlook and feel satisfied with the help and awareness that they needed and received.

This agency has poor supervision of its workers. You practically have to lead yourself. Management does not respond to your complaints or support your work. They just want it done.

Workers are overwhelmed, angry and frustrated, as their is little leadership and low salaries, compared to other agencies in NY. One of the reviewers stated not to go to HR. They are right. Nothing is resolved.

There is tremendous staff turn-over, and the talented people leave because their ideas are ignored.

Managers stay for 20-30 years and new ideas are not introduced. Old ways of managing are crippling the agency. Modern ways to do things need to be added.

I loved working with the clients, as I felt that i made a difference. iIfelt the most warmth and respect there.

They have a really nice Employee Luncheon every year for everyone. The food is great!

The agency has several good programs and great intentions. BUT if you have problems with upper management in a program do not bother going to HR because nothing changes. The problems continue and at times gets worse. Employee handbook is "edited" when needed. If you are called for an interview, ask youself... Is this the person I want to work for? Is this who I want to deal with everyday? Everything changes once you are hired! Although the job market is rough and money might be tight...keep looking.

Hardest Part of the Job: Aside from dealing with program director and assistant director, home visits, high number of cases, unrealistic expectiatoins, and lack of office space.

Most enjoyable part of job: working with the families, seeing changes within the family, and co-workers

Not all program directors are the same.

I was at FCA for 7 months. During this time I worked extremely hard and helped out quite a few people. It's very difficult to do an adequate job when you're constantly understaffed. At times I was doing the work of 2 workers and things that weren't even in my job description. Management was severely lacking. Little to no leadership. You pretty much have to figure it out for yourself.  Coworkers were ok. Management was absent most of the time.

They want you to bend to their needs without caring about you. I was told to change my hours to fit their schedule .
 
Its just very difficult to find a reason to work here.

There are better agencies that pay alot more ... It's just not worth it

I would never recommend anybody to work for this agency if they are going into the Mental Health field. This agency is horrible and it was the worst 2 months of my life. 
There’s a lot of things I can say that’s bad about this company: 
Pros: Pay is good. That’s the only thing that’s healthy & good about this company.
Cons: They don’t want you to work “on the clock”, pick & choose what to pay you for, they don’t want to pay you for every mile of traveling you do they shave off your mileages to rip you off, they say they have an “open door policy” but they don’t, they say different information in person & in email, controlling environment, your not allowed to go to HR about anything even if it’s pertaining to employee benefits everything has to be spoken to your supervisor first if not you get scolded for it, even if they don’t know anything. Just an overall disgusting environment

Working with FCA as my first real job in residential care provided me excellent experience in handling an array of different individuals with mental health needs, however it can be challenging with some clients being more aggressive or lower functioning than others. With that, the pay you get for the job doesn’t really add up to the work you really do there (also having to drive residents different places and medication management) so I would say that needs to improve, I also feel general management can be more engaging but my supervisor was amazing. 

I typically work a three hour work day. While working for family and childrens Association i was able to complete several courses including CPR, First Aid, deescalation techniques for seriously emotionally disturbed children, and multicultural competence training's. Both management and co workers are great, often open and receptive to new ideas and areas that allow for individual growth. the hardest part of the job is not having enough hours or resources to help all the clients that are in need. The most enjoyable part of the job is seeing the smiling faces of my clients when we are able to make a difference in their lives.

The agency provides numerous benefits to it's employees, and the culture is very accommodative and positive. The only real gripe I have with my specific program (PINS Diversion), is that there is little long lasting incentive to stay in the program. There are not raises, and because of the size of the program, there is little room for advancement. Although the agency is overall pretty remarkable, these positions seem to be starter jobs for those looking to become licensed and then move on. 

In short, great place to work, great pay for what I'd consider an entry level job, but little opportunity for advancement so there is not too much incentive to remain a long term employee.

The work being done is wonderful, which at my specific program is dealing directly with foster care youth and teaching independent skills.  The work environment is fairly relaxed, easy-going, and open communication is encouraged.  Co-workers have created almost a small family environment, and are friendly along with supervisor(s).
However there is no chance for advancement and the benefits/pay are less than desirable considering the level of work being done.  Management is adequate, and major issues are taken seriously.

As a Respite Worker for Family and Children's Association, I was required to pick student up from their homes and take them out into the community to show them what resources are available to them.  I helped them with problem solving/conflict management, and facilitated group activities and interactions among clients.  I learned a lot from my supervisor and a lot about mood disorders as well as other mental health issues.  The hardest part of the job was watching clients struggle.  The most enjoyable part of the job was being able to make a difference in the life of children.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Peer advocate 61 salaries reported	$23.36 per hour
Residential counselor 50 salaries reported	$20.01 per hour
Case manager 24 salaries reported	$26.95 per hour
Counselor 13 salaries reported	$23.49 per hour
Clinician 16 salaries reported	$31.93 per hour

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