direct support professional

coach

support worker

registered nurse - pediatrics

associate teacher

KenCrest Services

KenCrest is a disgrace. The only reason why I stayed there so long, and the only reason anyone does, is because they love the work they do. The day-to-day was fast pace and sometimes emotionally exhausting, but at the end of the day, worth it if you like the population. Consistent hours, not great pay but I've seen worse for DSP's. Expect to pay an arm and a leg for insurance though. PTO and flexibility in taking time off is the only real positive, but it's only because they can't afford to fire anyone.

In regards to management, it is extremely hands off. Expect to be told "I'll look into it" a lot. Expect to be told to give consumers meaningful activities and outings to do with no money, last minute changes (when I say last minute, I mean last literal minute). Expect to be told to lie on paperwork to accrue more community units (more $), expect to cover your butt when you get falsely accused (by management). Management there just wants a paycheck, or to retire. It is the worst workplace culture I've ever seen. 

It was truly heartbreaking to watch, and ultimately why I couldn't do it anymore. It's the consumers that suffered the most, and they didn't even know it. So much about it felt ethically wrong, consumers were almost never encouraged to make their own choices. They were not treated with respect, let alone given the tools and opportunities for real personal growth.

After I left a few months ago, at the end of 2019 day programs (where I worked) and related services began being restructured. Employment specialist make decent money, but I decided I'd rather work retail than be a part of this horrible company. Numerous program specialists, 40-50% of the DSPs I had worked with, and all the GOOD middle-upper management have left since I resigned. 

KenCrest brands itself as a company that strives to provide the quality of care not seen in the former local institutions like Pennhurst and Byberry. If their mission is to set the industry standard, they are failing miserably.

Radical changes continue to happen seeming to be done with little concern or known extent of the ripple effects they cause. Lack of quality planning and appears impulsive with a "we will figure it out as we go" approach.

Implementation of new departments without discussion to leaders of other departments on how that effects the day-to-day operations and job accountability. Leaving staff unsure of what their jobs are or what their  accountable for. Exec/Directors hired to run these department with little to no experience in these departments or with the licensing/regulations and expected to lead by on the job training. 

In recent weeks another restructure to residential programs. That would be 2 restructures in 2 years overhauling and completely changing positions and hierarchy. Also within that 2 years span, effecting residential services,  there has been a creation of a scheduling dept that has already gone through a restructure within the 2 years of its creation.  Program specialists were removed from residential and other services to create their own. This restructure happen 5 months ago and is still not established.  

All leaders, directors and assistant directors, who have been managing and leading residential programs for years and some for decades all their positions have been eliminated. KenCrest has either let them walk or did not hire them in the newly created positions. The new positions leave fewer leaders in those places while adding double and sometimes triple the workload and direct reports. 

This is highly concerning because those that suffer the most are the ones we love and care for.  This continues to leave staff under supported and under prepared to take care of our individuals. I am worried at where this leads and hope their is some resolution but if things continue this way it will be unfortunate for all.

A typical work day at KenCrest
1. Get consumers prepared to attend day program.
2. Attend scheduled meetings
3. Create staff bi-weekly schedule
4. Update consumer files
5. Schedule and assist consumers in medical and dental appointments
6. Plan and schedule daily events and outings for consumers
7. Payroll
8. Employee evaluation
9. Daily Reports
10. Daily Checklist
Working with my staff and consumers taught me to be more patient, with myself and others. It also taught me how to be more considerate of the needs and wants of others.
Management for this company could have been a lot better. They were not all on the same page when it came to the staff or the consumers needs.
Coworkers at this company was very understanding and worked as a team. They believed in "Team work makes Dream work"
The hardest part about the job was trying to get management to understand and be considerate of the consumers. They never worked hands on with the consumers, and made their decisions based off of assumptions and what they "thought" would be best.
The most enjoyable par about this job was being able to grow close to my employees and consumers. We became one. It was like a family.

A day started prepping the classroom for the day's activities using the weekly lesson plan generated by myself.  Then, as the parents and children arrived, I greeted them individually and invited the children to sit down for breakfast.  Next were child- appropriate activities, some structured and others chosen by the children themselves.  After serving lunch, there were special activities.  Examples included gross motor room, music, library and field trips.  Classroom management was very important: maintaining a clean and tidy room with wipe-downs of furniture and toys everyday.  I worked with many of my co-workers for years and we relied on each other for advice and support.  I had confidence in my Director to guide me when I needed it.  The hardest part of the job was having to take my work home with me on weekends: writing reports, scoring assessments and writing lesson plans. The most enjoyable part of my job was of course, the children.  To see their eyes brighten as they accomplished a task, to watch as they played and learned from each other and to observe them growing developmentally everyday was a joy to me.

They hire anybody, even people who can't even speak good English, which can make working with someone new difficult. The employees in various departments are very unprofessional. They do not care if you need help with a problem with another coworker. That open door policy is BS. You get reprimanded or worse for coming forward with an issue. The pay is not that great to live off of especially if you have children at home. The only way to make a lot of money at the time was to work day and night many hours. So you end up never going or being home with your own family or children. I was happy to start there but left with a bitter taste from this company. I met the CEO and she was very cold and not very friendly.  

Oh and a lot of the staff was there for many many years already but even so a lot of the new and old staff were not kind to the consumers and they just overall were not nice. Jobs like these need to keep a closer eye on staff and have better screening when hiring.

I think members of upper management have finally discovered that they messed up the structure and culture of the program; so yet again Kencrest is restructuring the program. I hope that this restructuring does two things for this company: 1. gets them back to the original mission of Kencrest Services, 2. Reestablishes trust and appreciation of their staff, which will help improve employee satisfaction and retention. I believe those two things could single-handedly prevent the ship from sinking. I wish upper management knew, and/or cared, about how much of a 'slap in the face' many permanent employees feel working side-by-side with agency workers that are getting paid much more but actually care a lot less. Another smack...not giving qualified employees who already have a great rapport with the house members and staff a chance at leadership because they did not 'pass a test'? Ridiculous. I left for a combination of reasons, but besides the salary and the 'high school-like' fakeness at that office, I left everyday feeling like I was wasting my time, talent and skills..which is not very fulfilling.

I was terminated following a policy change that, to my knowledge, was not communicated through the usual channels before enforcement. Shortly after my termination, the policy was changed back, which raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of the decision.

I also experienced challenges with management professionalism and organization. Personal matters often appeared to influence business decisions, creating an inconsistent work environment.

Additionally, I was terminated approximately one month after informing management that I was expecting a child. While I cannot speak to the reasons behind the decision, the timing contributed to my concerns regarding how the situation was handled.

I hope the company improves communication, consistency in policy enforcement, and professionalism in management practices moving forward.

The team in my department is one of the best I've ever worked with. Everyone works together with the utmost dedication to get things done, and done the right way.  We embrace new technologies and always look for ways to work smarter.  Even when we were all working remotely, we maintained that 'esperit de corps.'  These are some of the smartest and most dedicated people I've ever met.  
Of the organization as a whole, almost everyone is very dedicated to the mission and puts in 100%.  It's very rare to come accross someone who can't be bothered to help if you need something.  I have found this to be true in every department.  Our management is pretty great as well. They listen to our concerns, and more importantly, back us up when we need something from other departments.  Overall, I highly reccomend KenCrest as a place to work.

I was responsible for the daily safety and care of 14 individuals with intellectual disability.  This included supervision of 4 Community Home Supervisors and direct care staff assigned to the homes.  I met with home supervisors weekly and/or as needed, acting as CHS when the position was vacant.  I interviewed, hired and trained new CHSs, visited homes weekly, monitored all log books, completed house checks and addressed issues of concern.  I helped develop and monitor measurable outcomes for 14 individuals at their annual ISP and maintained files for individuals and staff in preparation for annual state licensing inspection.  I attended all required meetings and trainings as scheduled.  The overall atmosphere was relaxed.  Staff were from a variety of cultures, this adding much to my overall learning experience.  Watching individuals grow was my greatest joy.


If you think that because this place has so many good programs to offer clients it will treat staff well you are sadly mistaken. Sister Maria Roeck (founder) would be displeased to see how this place is run today. Staff members are constantly leaving due to a lack of respect by the higher-ups and if you go to HR your concerns are pushed aside because their only concerns are for the company and not the staff. There is also a lot of favoritism at this company and they do not hide it. A few of the Directors and Supervisors have a "click" and if you are not a part of it, you are part of the problem in their eyes. They will drown you in work and expect you to have it completed in 7 hours and only give overtime to a select few. If you try to resolve any issues with the Supervisor or the Director, they often put the blame on you and will retaliate. I feel like the CEO should be more involved with the staff as she is the only one there with an actual heart.
 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 52 salaries reported	$17.86 per hour
Coach 6 salaries reported	$17.37 per hour
Support worker 1 salary reported	$17.37 per hour
Registered nurse - pediatrics 4 salaries reported	$43.50 per hour
Associate teacher 2 salaries reported	$16.96 per hour

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