clinical therapist

case manager

therapist

school principal

support specialist

MiSide

The job doesn't require an overload amount of work. Management (specifically upper management) is more like a high school click where they favour those whom are older and have been working for them 5 years plus. This place is more about the numbers than it is teaching the children and preparing them for the future. They micromanage EVERYTHING! From the way a supervisor is asked to split staff members into groups during a meeting to what activities should be done for end of the year celebrations. it's almost no reason for a site supervisor because they aren't able to make the smallest decisions. The children aren't celebrated equally (depends on your site). If you are young, fresh out of school AND/OR excited about your career in the early childhood field this isn't the place for you!!!! 
The contract also states that you'll be receiving your high scope certification within a year and you'll be provided with a coach [dont count on it they pick and choose which room will be coached and if your coach doesn't care for you...well..you know the rest]. It also states you can request to attend certain conferences by when you ask you'll be denied for 2 reasons. 1 they're forever too short staffed to have a substitute to cover you or you didn't ask "early" enough (btw 3 months in advance isn't enough time)
The contract state you get an extra 20% fringe benefit, well that's a LIE too. It's included in your overall pay for the year and you wont be told until after you've already committed to working there. 
Last but not least getting insurance through this company would be impossible because you'll barely have a check to live with.


The only positive is when you're placed at a center with great and positive minds like yours and the only thing that kept me sane is the love for my career and my authentic site supervisor.

DCI is not unique in terms of turnover, funding, staffing, training when it comes to community mental health. This field will always be understaffed so I don't necessarily want to blame it on the company itself. However, the training modules you have to do before starting your job rarely apply to your actual job or they are not beneficial. When you arrive in your position, nobody is really equipped to train you. It feels like the blind leading the blind.

Benefits aren't great - the company adds an extra 20% on to your pay for their benefits. If you don't take the company benefits the 20% becomes part of your taxable income. Which is kind of cool but the benefits through DCI are incredibly expensive. I pay $500 per month just for medical. It is divided out over both checks. When you take into consideration the company is "technically" paying for it, it becomes a little easier to handle, even so, I switched after open enrollment came around. 

The North, South and McKenny locations are all very nice and updated. Clean and easy to navigate. The West building is very outdated and seems dingy. Renovations are necessary. 

Management overall is incredibly supportive and nice. Even if the agency itself isn't. They try to show appreciation the best they can and it is nice to be recognized by a supervisor which isn't something I've ever experienced before.The pay was good for me as I was just starting out. I was content with my starting salary and no experience in the field before I had gotten this job. 

There is an annual company wide picnic that is mandatory. If you choose not to go you must use PTO which is annoying but there is free food and opportunities to win prizes.

I have worked at Development Centers For over a year and am shocked by a few things. One thing I want to note is that the therapists that work for the agency truly care and can help build you up which is a great perk. Also the clients are so high needs and do participate in services. However, the rest of my job as a therapist there was a disappointment. When the agency is struggling to hire new people because the pay is bad and the benefits are so bad that I had to get health insurance through the marketplace, the agency puts more and more work on the employees they already have. They care about money and not about overworking or burning out employees, I have worked for many companies that manage to care about both, I know it's achievable. The flexibility that came with the job when I first accepted it was taken away and I was having the access department put more and more appointments in my calendar that came along with a lot of paperwork. Overall disappointed in how little they care about employee's happiness and well being. Currently myself and 7 other good clinicians are leaving, so if you get hired go in with what you want and deserve and maybe they will start to change to better the job for new employees. 

A typical day at work consists of about anywhere from 5-8 clients, I have had 10 scheduled in one day (anywhere from 30-60 minute sessions, more so 45 minutes); when a client no shows, I typically make follow up phone calls, listen to voicemails, check emails, or prepare for sessions. Lunch is around 30 minutes and the day ends for me at 5pm. I have learned not to take this work home, shut it down at 5pm. Management may not always understand the demands of the job (as they have different responsibilities); however, it depends on the manager. I have several management staff who are very empathetic to my situation (like if there is personal or family matters to tend to), but also are hard on making sure productivity is met, which sometimes can take away from the quality of the work. I personally wish there was more focus on the quality, not quantity (i.e. numbers). Workplace culture is great, the people who work at DC are meticulously picked to be the most caring, empathetic, understanding and supportive people. The hardest part of the job hands down is all the sitting I do, and get very few breaks due to the high caseload and need for paperwork completion. The best part of my job hands down is the satisfaction I see in client progress; the attachment and relationship with families.

Development Centers may be an ideal company  for someone that is new to the workforce, but not for people that want more from their employer.
The benefits are horrible and not affordable. The pay is extremely low for head start teachers and the current management team is concerned with micromanaging the staff/ teachers. Most teachers and site leaders are over worked with this company. There is a high turn over rate with the agency. On average, six or more people resign every year. This is due to the horrible benefits, PTO days, and outdated resources. By the way, the company will not inform you of the benefits package until you accept the job offer, so be sure to ask prior to accepting the position. Their cafe infrigement benefit is a joke. They contribute 20% while you cover 80% of your plan. For my family, the monthly premium is $1100 per month in which they divide out of both checks, and you are only paid on the 15th and 31st. Overall, I did enjoy working with the children, but felt like creativity and the freedom to teach was limited.

DCI as an agency is very flexible and accommodating to its staff  in terms of trainings and accrued PTO time. We are given opportunities and paid time off to attend trainings related to our work at the agency .
-The management is approachable and are sincere in their efforts to listen and review suggestions, complaints or recommendations made by staff .
-DCI is a large company with numerous locations . And workplace culture differs from location to location . I can only speak for my department : team work is valued and I feel  we look out for each other . I feel heard and supported by my supervisor. 
- The hardest part of the job is being on top of shifting requirements  of our funding agencies .  Need to be up to date on a  lot of documentation as required by the Mental Health authority and Mental Health Code . Client drama is equally draining . 
- However, the best part of my job is that  there is never a dull moment . You have job satisfaction of doing something good for your community, being needed and help make a difference. I have gained gratitude and humility as a result of my work here at DCI.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The small team I worked with was close-knit and very supportive. People are genuine and receive great feedback and designated time to reflect. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There was frequent and unresolved issues with pay for the department. In response to the concerns raised regarding this, there was/is no transparency regarding the on-going decision-making process around this, a sense of minimizing employee concerns, and several rude or impolite responses from the administration figures. Current pay and benefits do not meet bare minimum for the output and level of professionalism they are requesting. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Work environment within the overarching agency is unsupportive, with very little effective collaboration or communication between different pillars and administrative roles.

Typical day at work for someone in newer shoes might look like doing some shadowing of other more experienced workers on intakes and treatment plans. After getting established your day might be filled with appointments with clients, calling to schedule clients, and other miscellaneous paperwork. There is always a chance to learn as well, as the company likes to emphasize training their employees and providing good supervision to help guide the employees further as well.
Hardest part of the job is probably the paperwork itself, however I've never been a paperwork kind of person. Other than that sometimes crisis cases can be hard as well, but that's the nature of the beast with this work.
Best part of the job is when you know you're doing good work with a family because of the progress you can see and witness, and the professional relationship you're able to build with the family and client you have.

I worked here for a year and couldn't wait to leave. The management here can't be trusted, if you have a grievance it's best to keep it to yourself. It will come back to the person you had an issue with via your supervisor which makes for an awkward work environment. On Fridays when you aren't supposed to have children you sometimes get moved to work in the baby room or another center location. Last minute changes happen often, just last year an field trip was added for the last week of school , mind you this was our first died trip EVER too! During "spring break" the children are out of school for an week while you complete your second round of home visits. You also have to use your pto time for Christmas break!

This company has a very small HR department so there is no room for advancement. There is no professional development or training for administrative or HR professionals. The company is very involved in the community and has a family oriented atmosphere which is nice. Work life balance is easily maintained and you only work overtime when absolutely necessary. There are some managers and directors that are great at what they do and provide the support and coaching necessary for employees to be successful. There are others that pass the buck, take no responsibility and provide no support but they are the minority not the majority. Overall this is a good company to work for but the pay is low.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Clinical therapist 1 salary reported	$31.15 per hour
Case manager 2 salaries reported	$44,500 per year
Therapist 2 salaries reported	$47,975 per year
School principal 13 salaries reported	$23.44 per hour
Support specialist 1 salary reported	$20.20 per hour

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