clinician

childcare provider

youth counselor

social worker

case manager

Northern Rivers Family of Services

I worked at NRFS for just over a year as a receptionist. When I first arrived, training was in and out. I worked independently at one of the satellite offices, so I didn't have anyone to ask for help, or collaborate with. I tend to work more efficiently alone so that wasn't too bad, but when no one in your office knows an answer or how something needs to be done, it's understandably frustrating. That being said, my manager was new to her position and (I'm assuming) felt the need to micromanage everything I did; I've had bosses that were well settled in and bosses that felt the need to show what they're capable of because they're new, and she was the latter. My tasks were always done with little to no error, I assisted other staff as they needed/requested, and everything I touched was organized. I could do the entire day's worth of tasks in two hours. This created an unneeded tension between my manager and I, as she wanted me to either 1: fake my efficient nature and stretch out these tasks for no reason other than to appease her, or 2: get everything done and create busy work--I won't go into detail on how absurd some of it was. I understand that it, "looks bad" to have finished your immediate tasks on your check list, but as a receptionist you're always answering calls, emails, and working with clients. Being able to breathe between tasks because you've finished your structured tasks shouldn't be a crime. You shouldn't patronize your grown employees for being human, especially if they're good at what they do. 

It is also worth mentioning that this is a thankless job from the consumers. For every every one kind and warm client you have, there will be several (if not more) rude and ungrateful ones. I understand that clients are at NRFS for difficult reasons. I understand that they might not know the processes. I get it--but treating others rudely all the time is uncalled for, and management does nothing to defend you, so be prepared for that. 

Something else I found to be frustrating is that there is no consistency with processes. Let's say, you're trained to do something as ABC. Someone in the brach next-door to yours makes a singular error, so they (upper management) tell EVERYONE the new process is ABCDEFG. Three weeks pass and someone from a different branch loses a document for step E, so now the process is ABCDEFGHIJK. This will keep happening again, and again, and again. They change the process every few weeks to a month in the name of, "eliminating errors", and then wonder why there are so many errors. Keep all your documents handy, as people will attack you for things you did/didn't do.

For pay, I settled for less than I should have for the sake of getting everything situated as I was moving. NRFS will email you your offer, so you feel like you have little room to negotiate--NEGOTIATE ANYHOW! I was cleaning out my office because the woman before me left it a mess, and found her old paperwork. Turned out that she was making well over $12 an hour more than me for the same job, and according to the woman who trained me the woman I replaced didn't do well in the position. I was really heartbroken by this, and felt like NRFS didn't see any true value in me. I was upset with myself for not pursuing more, but disappointed so badly by how little they had deliberately offered me; it was emotionally parallel to feeling betrayed. So beware of lower than expected salaries/wages. I've seen the job offers come hot off the copier since, and they have the money to pay you what you deserve.  

Overall, this job made me realize that I NEVER wanted to work under someone ever again. I left this job as soon as I could for a management position with another firm. I have some old coworkers/higher-ups who are truly wonderful, irreplaceable people, without question! Yet, I never felt cherished at NRFS the way I did at other jobs--everything felt obligatory, nothing felt sincere. I genuinely feel that if I had a different manager my review would be very different. If you apply or work here, I hope it goes better for you than it did for me, best of luck!

I worked there for a short period of time, but while I was there it was an awful experience. 

One - My hours were confirmed before my start date but the second day I worked they told me my confirmed schedule was going to change. I thought it was a perfect opportunity to make a change myself that would make it easier for my daycare, I was told that I can't change my schedule because I had already confirmed the hours, but they can change my schedule when they want without confirming it with me? 

Two - There were no lunch or dinner breaks, while working a 9 - 10 hour shift I was given one 10 minute break each day I worked. While on my break I was told to tidy up in the office since I was sitting doing nothing... on my break.... some people would be fine with constant work and no breaks but I for one am not. 

Three - We had a meeting about a boy who got mad and destroyed company property, everyone agreed that if the boy does this again that he would be sent away and not accepted back. Later that day the same boy did it again - but this time a lot worse - he was back within 3 hours and everyone was told that it was over and to forget what happened. 

Four -  There is nothing stopping these kids from accusing an adult of something, no cameras to prove something right or wrong, and most importantly not enough staff to be there and confirm an accusation or not. A child could accuse you of cutting them and as long as there's a mark on the child there's no way to prove your innocence. 

Five - The staff that is in charge of the place have only been working there for 2 - 3 years. On my second day I was told I've lasted longer then most people they've hired. They don't have enough staff to be able to be organized or structured, basically they are running around like headless chickens.

Six - A child can assault you, spit on you, throw things at you, and be as mean / rude as they want to be with absolutely no consequences. A child threw a trash can across the room and hit a child & adult and withing an hour he was back playing card games. We were told to write down what happened and document it but the kid was playing all night as if nothing happened. They say that they can't have consequences because these kids are traumatized and will react violently to criticism. 

Seven - As I was a new hire I couldn't be left alone with the children, when I was ever seen alone with them by my supervisor I was yelled at. Let me remind you there isn't enough staff there - I was left alone with 4 - 5 kids when something was going down because there was just not enough people to be there with me while others dealt with the situation. I could have had any one of those kids make an accusation about me and It could have been bad enough to put me away and take a mother away from her son. Staff would leave me alone with the kids knowing that if my supervisor came in I would be the one getting yelled at. 

The people I worked with were very nice and welcoming but this company is not at all a safe place to be, they pay tens of cents over minimum wage for a 10 hour day where you are in the middle of riots all day. I got out of there fast because I didn't feel safe, I felt that any day a kid could come up with a story against me just because something simple like telling them they had to wash their hands after using the toilet, and although the staff are very nice and hard working people there's just not enough of them / not enough of them are experienced enough to be running an organized and safe work environment.

PROS:
Wonderful work experience with participants/clients
Most co-workers are very friendly, kind and compassionate
Workday is somewhat flexible, depending on your position
Staff safety is prioritized
Some training opportunities, provided you have time to partake
Decent paid time off

CONS:
Low pay
Very expensive health insurance
Management is poor.  Very disorganized.  Not well-informed enough to properly train staff, answer questions, or support staff
A couple of my supervisors were not very friendly, and constantly appeared overwhelmed.  Emails were curt and rude. Very condescending, as well. 
One of my supervisors was so lazy and stressed that she hated the thought of actually doing any of her staff's work in their absence, or pitching in upon their return, and rarely worked a full day herself.  Ridiculous. 
They will hire from outside rather than promoting from within, even when they have very qualified and dedicated staff in-house.  When they do advance others, they choose not based on experience, capability, dedication, and merit, but rather on "who they like better" or who they're afraid will leave if they don't get promoted.
Not much room for advancement at all.
Supervisors are oftentimes young, inexperienced, or crass/unprofessional.
Working from home is out of hand.  One supervisor rarely comes into the office and babysits her grandchildren from home during her work day, Mon-Fri. Another supervisor works about half time and I'm sure puts in for a full-time week on her time card. Naturally, this goes unchecked.  Same for staff that come in at 10:00 and leave at 2:00, and claim to have worked a full week once it's time to fill out their time sheets. 
Unrealistic deadlines from management because they don't understand the time it takes to get things done.  They are out of touch, but to be fair, don't seem to realize it.
HR staff are rude, do not respond to emails, do not respond to phone calls (unless you to to the top of HR)
Supervisors are stressed and show it, rather than being the calm force in the storm
The agency is building a multi-million dollar building on campus, yet can't afford to offer decent health insurance, fair pay/raises, etc.  You will likely get the same 2% raise everyone gets, even the slackers who work part-time, but get paid for full-time work.
The agency cut the annual employee recognition dinner citing cost.
Management is ridiculously top heavy 
No recognition 
Very high turn over
Office space is limited, no private places to make phone calls to clients

The CEO seems completely out of touch with the lower level workers.  Same for upper management.

If you've worked here for more than a couple/few years, you're considered one of the more seasoned employees.  Staff leave once they realize there are better paying jobs with better benefits out there. This agency burns direct care staff out, and pays them little, knowing they're easily replaced with the next person waiting in the wings.

I wish I could find more positives of this organization.  It did pay my bills for a while, so there's that.

Typical Day at Work:
In this role as a Facilities Maintenance Professional at Northern Rivers Family of Services, a typical day likely involves a combination of scheduled preventive maintenance tasks, responding to repair requests, and managing various aspects of the campus's physical infrastructure. This may include plumbing, electrical work, painting, landscaping, and winter maintenance activities like plowing and salting. The day is likely structured around ensuring that the facilities remain functional, safe, and visually appealing.

What You May Have Learned:
In this role, you would have likely learned valuable skills in facilities maintenance, ranging from technical skills such as plumbing and electrical work to project management skills like prioritization and communication. You may have also developed problem-solving abilities and gained a deep understanding of how to maintain a diverse range of facilities.

Management:
Effective management in this role likely involves efficiently organizing and delegating maintenance tasks, overseeing projects, and ensuring that work orders are managed and prioritized effectively. It may also involve budget management for maintenance and repair activities.

Workplace Culture:
The workplace culture at Northern Rivers Family of Services may emphasize the importance of teamwork, safety, and a strong commitment to maintaining the campus to a high standard. Clear communication and collaboration with colleagues and facility management are likely valued.

Hardest Part of the Job:
One of the challenging aspects of this role may be dealing with unexpected maintenance emergencies, especially during winter weather conditions. It can also be demanding to balance preventive maintenance tasks with reactive repair requests while ensuring that the campus remains safe and aesthetically pleasing.

Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
The most enjoyable aspect of the job could be the satisfaction of seeing the positive impact of your work on the campus environment. Successfully maintaining and enhancing the facilities, creating a safe and appealing atmosphere for residents and staff, and being part of a team dedicated to these goals can be highly rewarding.

I worked at Northern Rivers for almost 9 years. Good job for gaining experience  and training just out of college, or if you're settled in your life and not particularly looking to make as much money as you can in the industry.  Health insurance rates have recently skyrocketed, and I'm predicting a mass exodus due to that alone.  Pay is very low compared to other agencies that offer the same services.

The clients I worked with were amazing.  Same with co-workers.  Good collaboration and team work. My review of the few supervisors I've had in that time run the gamut from okay to emotionally unstable and reactive to pretty good, just like many other places. Work culture is good - everyone gets along.  Over the years, occasionally an outlier who liked to stir things up, and made others walk on eggshells around her, but the vast majority made the environment great.

Management is out of touch with the soldiers on the ground. They will pile on more work when you're already maxed out time-wise.  Your work with clients will suffer as a result.  The organization is not run smoothly.  Leadership is lacking.

Hours were great - some flexibility with working from home in bad weather, or if you had to remain home for some reason.  I agree that people can abuse it though.  I think the few will eventually ruin it for the many.

As I mentioned, pay is low. Health insurance costs were always high, but now are exorbitant. 

The best part of my experience with Northern Rivers is that I made two of my closest long-lasting friends here.

I wouldn't recommend it based on low pay and insurance alone though.

I worked there for a total of 6/7 months and was met with several obstacles:
- The supervisor was consistently trying to add more clients to my caseload due to a lack of appropriate amount of staffing and high employee turnover. i.e. WAY too many clients on my caseload (good for accruing hours BAD for mental health)
- it did not seem like there was any opportunity to grow in the facility, only to a supervisory position
- some colleagues would often talk negatively about clients (annoying, be aware of so and so, non-compliant, etc.) In my opinion very inappropriate.
- TERRIBLE benefits and PTO
- Finally, not a lot of collaborating opportunities were possible in this position. You come in, work your hours in your own separate office, maybe there's a no-show and you proceed to do a LOT of paperwork (not get paid for those hours if you're FFS), then you go home exhausted and come back the next day and do it all again sometimes without even seeing another colleague. 

Some good things:
- the clients! I often found myself only coming in because I knew I'd have a good day with my clients. Sometimes you are met with difficult conversations but that's just part of the job.
- some colleagues were also great supports during my time there and I found it to be another reason I kept coming back day after day.
- Finally, the front desk individual! They were absolutely lovely and I appreciated their support during my time there as well.

If you're considering working here, PLEASE ensure you have proper boundaries on your work hours, case load, and job duties/expectations. This may have been the missing piece in my experience.


This job is a good job to transition to and from careers, but I wouldn’t make it a career itself. It seems unreasonable to do so. 

This job is pretty taxing and can be performed well, but it takes a good supervisor and I didn’t have one. No jab on the agency, but maybe the worker. I was left in the dark from the very beginning and that was acknowledged by them. It’s also something that needs to be taught and I feel like I was kind of thrown into it. I came from something entirely different that was my career since right after college. It’s all I knew. I feel like if i was properly taught care management i might still be there, but know it wouldn’t be forever. 

All the training was done virtually. Which was nice because for the first 2 months, I really didn’t talk to anyone. But i think that’s also an issue. Job required really difficult assessments and plans to be performed and created on families and kids and the lack of guidance on those left me feeling very vulnerable and bad for the families because I genuinely did not know what to do. But i wasn’t trained well!

It’s a lot of stop and go and the families can be annoying to work with, but that’s the field. Pays not worth it either, at least to me. 

The best thing about it was the freedom. 

You will be a punching bag for the youth at the various residences which is to be expected when dealing with underprivileged youth.  The problem is that management has forgotten how to raise teenagers anymore and concentrate more on keeping their beds filled than they do trying to help them.  Once you have literally and figuratively been slapped around by the residents, management will ask what the staff did wrong to create such a problem.  The youth are NEVER held accountable and negative behavior is the only behavior that is reinforced which creates huge problems for a teenagers development.  You will be doing a ton of paperwork that is designed to show OCFS and the justice center that stuff is being done when it really isn't.  The company is dying.  They have liquidated buildings and canceled entire programs that they used to be famous for implementing.  I can't stress enough, you will not be helping any of the youth in care, management will see to it, not maliciously, just out of ignorance.

The agency lacks the systematic supports that are required for such a high paced, intensive environment. As an agency that preaches caring for its staff, there is little done on the manner of everyday supports to ensure staff have the means to do their jobs and effectively support the kids and families. Staff burn out is high. Turn over is high. While all this is known, continual focus is on revenue and increasing enrollment even when continually under staffed. You can almost never expect your lunch break, there is a continual demand to give more than feasible in a work shift. My time there included working extra hours beyond my schedule (including weekends to get paperwork done), missed lunch breaks, and constantly rushing from point A to B to try to be in to many and there is no means of stable support from the admin to take care of staff's well being. It becomes normal for these patterns and expected. When asking for support, it is reflected back and put on the individual to manage the issue.

As a private, not for profit, PCFC receives funing from at leas a dozen oversight agencies at the county, state and federal levels. At any given time the oversight regulations of 3 will conflict with the other 9, and so on. In order to preserve these funding "streams" PCFC's administration dictates almost weekly policy and procedure changes that inevitably are changed again another week(eg if it's the 3rd Thursday, it must be OMH week...or DSS week, or NYSED week...). Thus safe and reliable standards of care for the children and adolescents at PCFC have gradually deteriorated over the past 3 years.
This undermines staff morale, leads to very high rates of turnover, and compromises the safety(see Workers Comp and injury rate data for PCFC) of both staff and children.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Clinician 52 salaries reported	$32.44 per hour
Childcare provider 14 salaries reported	$23.00 per hour
Youth counselor 28 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour
Social worker 1 salary reported	$30.73 per hour
Case manager 23 salaries reported	$23.18 per hour

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