direct support professional

program director

life skills trainer

case manager

coach

Northeast-Arc

I worked with Building Blocks for about a year. My role was to go into homes and/or day cares and work on goals with kiddos under three who had an Autism Diagnosis. A typical day involved 3 visits; morning (9-11/11:30am), mid (11:30/12-2pm), and late days (2:30/3:00-4:30/5:00). This led to a LOT of time spend in a car to update plans and do any other paperwork, which was a huge downside due to the horrible tablets and hotspots that were provided. They were unreliable with short battery lives. We had monthly supervision by a BCBA and a team supervisor for each child on our case load. I found that I frequently had differing suggestions/recommendations from the BCBA and team supervisor which was not helpful. They pay was definitely entry-level pay, I think having quarterly or biannual reviews with opportunities for raises would have kept me around longer.

The pros of the job were that incentive was always pretty easy for me to attain, although the benefit of incentive was CONSTANTLY changing... I think there were 3 or 4 different incentives in the year that I worked there, some better than others. Another pro was that you were paid 9am-5pm without a lunch, which was nice since my "lunch breaks" were literally driving from one visit to another. Although the lack of lunch time could be a con for some, I didn't mind it. And the best part of the job was the kiddos! Watching them grow and make progress was so rewarding, especially when parents noticed and acknowledged the growth in their children.

I took care of an elderly patient for 4 years. Unfortunately she passed away at the age of 95 last year. I worked with her 24/7 as a live in caregiver as she needed that continuous care.  I learned a lot about the duties a PCA (caregiver) provides, communicating with the patient is important.  I worked with many other outside professional such as Doctors, case handlers, nurses etc. Being responsible for her safety, nutrition, bathing while bedridden medication management was in the beginning a lot and was a bit nerve wracking, but I got the hang of it quickly.  Also, a lot of administrative work, behind the scenes was involved. Keeping her personal info safe and up to date, keeping a file for her as I had to keep track of everything {schedules) her records after talking to her other healthcare professionals.  The hardest part was the physical demand it took on my body esp my back, but it was a rewarding job knowing I did all of this, worked hard and was an advocate for her when she couldn't.

I love my job! I work with my uncle who has downsyndrome and I wouldn't trade the opputunity to spend quality time with my uncle and knowing that he is being properly cared to for anything. My uncle James MacDonald is  my everything so when I get to see him smile everyday  and how he makes me laugh its awesome. I normally on a daily basis  wake him up to get ready to go to him group home, make him his breakfast and give him all his meds.He then goes to the grouphome and  he comes home I make sure he takes his meds that are on the normal schedule, I cook him dinner and then we take his shower and he then gets to relax before he goes to bed. From time to time we have people come in and monitor on his progress and how he is being treated and that really shows that this company is really caring about his well being and that means a lot to a family that knows this company is in his best interest.

I worked as part of the Building Blocks team to help autistic children up to age three reach developmental milestones, and succeed in social and academic environments, Duties include driving to home and daycare settings, and using toys, puzzles, social games, books, and other stimuli that I provided, to encourage the achievement of goals, such as increasing receptive and expressive communication, social skills, play skills, and imitation, based on the Early Start Denver Model. The most enjoyable part is seeing the impact I have on these children's lives, and the gradual improvement that they see. The hardest part is working in tight quarters with many other children fighting for your attention. There is also a lot of inner-city driving involved. I liked my coworkers, and enjoyed weekly meetings at local restaurants.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The management actually seems to care about their staff. They always are making an effort. I couldn't even get gloves or masks from my old company during the height of COVID... Here they will send them to you before you even ask! 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It's not the company's fault, it's the work that we do can be very stressful. There is a shortage of nurses and support staff so there isn't ever a back up if you are out sick or need a day off. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I don't work in the office, I work at patient's homes but all interactions with office and management seems to promote the team ! 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I go to patient's home and care for one patient for a full shift, administering, completing treatments, wound care, assessments, etc

The feeling of working with special needs children is unrivaled.  On the most frustrating days, helping them makes it that much easier.  I learned the value of patience & communication is massive in the workplace & life.  These things made the exhaustion of keeping up with the children worth the enjoyment of seeing them happy.

Most people work here with children after school in their homes, but it is on a case by case basis.  In most cases, you'll need to work with multiple clients & stick with the business long term to make decent money.  For that reason, it isn't a job I'd recommend unless you are in a multiple income household or have a 2nd job.

Still, I enjoyed my experience here.  It was a great job for a college student.  If I could go back, I would!  While it is not for everyone, the people who stick it out long term certainly find it very rewarding.

While you must be a self motivated individual for this position I am constantly reminded of what an excellent agency this is - I am in contact with my supervisor as much or as little as I want, and I am fully supported by my coworkers as well. The CEO of the Northeast ARC is also a truly "fair" individual, not something you'll hear of often but throughout the year we will get occasional bonuses because of extra money in the budget. We are given office hours with both the CEO and head of HR, so if there is an issue we are free to bring it up with them. The biggest and really only problem I've ever had was travelling in the snow, but this year they have really shown us that they are taking the weather more seriously and are having us work from home. I honestly can't say enough about what a positive experience I've had so far.

What is the best part of working at the company?
 Supporting  families with children with disabilities. 
Doing home visits to provide services to families in need. 
 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There no stress in my position as an in person interpreter.
I enjoy helping people in need of services. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Excellent  Professional environment,  The staff is knowledgeable  and committed.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Arriving at the sight for the home visit, meeting the family and child,  interact, translate, ask questions, and set goals for next visit.

Management does not care about employees. Often understaffed and miscommunicated to. Management also does not care about the people served. As a staff member, I heard many derogatory marks said about clients management didn't like. Management talked poorly about client's families as well. They played favorites, and if you weren't in their good graces, you felt like an outsider, piled work upon. Wages did not go up in the entire time I was employed there but health insurance did. The culture is toxic and they had a very high turnover rate. Almost ten people quit in less than a year, but HR/management didn't care.

The only enjoyable part of this job is the clients and the rewarding feeling (when management is not involved)

Will not name a few but they will
Call you first thing in The morning to Harass us nurses about work that has been canceled/ corrected or
Completed. You will get harassed for their own mistakes when they realized it was a mistake they will not apologized. I honestly think a lot of them made the nursing boards without ever taking Ethic courses as they can be super unprofessional with their approaches toward us. They will shove recertifications of patients on you that you have never met before and be arrogant on submitting the recertifications in a timely manner. Since northeast clinical services have fused with northeast arc it has been complete chaos. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 58 salaries reported	$23.96 per hour
Program director 26 salaries reported	$29.00 per hour
Life skills trainer 16 salaries reported	$24.06 per hour
Case manager 17 salaries reported	$26.53 per hour
Coach 23 salaries reported	$34.52 per hour

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