school principal

assistant teacher

early childhood specialist

social worker

lead teacher

Northside Center for Child Development, Inc.

Northside Center is an agency that provides different services to the community. I am the Administrative Coordinator/Supervisor of the intake department. Being in the role allows me the opportunity to help clients register for counseling services and if the agency cannot provide them with services (we don't accept their insurance, they need a higher level of care, etc) we refer them to an agency that can assist them. In a typical work day the intake department can receive referrals in different ways: phone, email, and clients walking in to refer themselves. The walk-in clients can only do so when we have our open registration periods. The management team works very hard to make sure operations run smoothly, we are following all regulations set by the various government agencies we report to, and optimal productivity is met. All employees work very hard to work together and support each other since many programs make cross referrals. The hardest part of the job is having to turn someone away who is requesting services. The most enjoyable part of the job is seeing the progress being made by the clients who receive services through our agency.

This organization was founded by people who understood what the community needed and made efforts to meet a need, the folks managing the organization now are all about the money. You will have no time to even try to use the bathroom most days. The turnover rate is high and management shames the folks who leave. Management is rude and often times "toe the line" on bullying. People are leaving consistently due to burnout, stress, and the horrible impact on their mental health. It's not worth it. They are tarnishing a legacy and harming their employees in the process. Skipping lunch is encouraged and staying past your shift is expected. The only enjoyable part are the families you'll work with, but even that is not worth sacrificing your health and wellbeing. You will not be the same after working here. They will beat you down with a smile on their face and offer you an "ice cream treat" after.

Northside strives to grow its clincal practice to support the student who struggles within the culture of a school he/or she attends, for reasons not limited to academic difficulties nor functional behavior, as its net is widely cast througout the Harlem community and is inclusive of a bilingual population who is en route to dual langauge acquisition, as well as students for whom language acquisition and adaptive daily living prove challenging. The agency, working through a medical model, is dedicated, through its best practices, to the understanding of underlying issues interferring with successful outcomes resulting in the greatest possible life achievement for whom it serves.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Witnessing the children enjoying learning. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The lack of support and funding for the kids and the educational staff. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It is diverse and laidback for the most part, and you can express your feelings, and opinions. But the notion of true change in an upward direction seems impossible. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typical day in the classroom is routine according to state mandates and lesson plans. Make preparations for the arrivals by cleaning and laying out materials for students. Some days are more challenging than others like any other job.

A typical day at work would be filled with paperwork, meeting with clients and families under your case load and occasionally meeting with professional services that are connected to your client and families.
I have learned a great deal about social services and that working with families is more essential than working with clients. Management works with staff in creating the best work environment possible. The combination of the staff create a supportive work environment. The hardest part of the job is working with families that are resistant to change and it is the most enjoyable part when families take on their challenges and persevere.

35 hours per week. not a 9-5 job but flexible hours from 10-6, 11-7, or 12-8 to accommodate families and children after school. Schedules are Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday. Caseloads of clients are in 42-48 range scheduling 7-9 clients per day. Engaging clients in individual, group, family counseling. Conducting psychosocial assessments and providing case management and referrals when needed. Wide variety of treatment modalities and diagnosis ranging from Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Disruptive Behavior Disorder, etc. Excellent job to obtain your LCSW hours. Collaborative and team approach with weekly supervision and staff meetings.

A typical day at work required answering phones, checking clients in for appointments, updating the billing department with any changes in a client's insurance, etc. I learned how to deal with clients who had various mental health issues and to treat them with the respect they deserve. Management and co-workers work together to meet the needs of the clients and to address any issues the client may have outside of their counseling sessions. The hardest part of the job was making sure all clients made it to their appointments on time during our busiest time of the day (3:30 pm - 7:00 pm). The most enjoyable part was making sure the clients made it to their appointments on time during the busiest time of the day.

Though Northside has great benefits and a great mission it is set in its old ways. They operate in a very bureaucratic system that needs multiple people to approve a simple financial or content-related job. The organization has a revolving door in a number of its departments. There is no training or orientation to the job. You will barely interact with anyone outside of your team. There are no opportunities for growth. It is an a-okay place to start your career and stick around for the benefits and work-life balance. But in regard to staying here long-term, you will be drained. 

As soon as I started clients asked if I was staying because they had been through so many clinicians. High turnover rate is not how higher ups depict it to be, they say it’s just the work itself that’s hard and some people can only “handle” it for a year or two. The real reason is they put little to no thought or concern into the reasons  why clinicians leave but it’s because of their lack of support, empathy, and flexibility. Iv also never felt so isolated in a work place before, everyone is silent in team meetings because we haven’t been received well when we do speak up. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Team work, very supportive staff, very friendly staff. Everyone works together to ensure that the clients receive the best possible care. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There is no stressful part in this company. The dedication of the staff is amazing. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work culture is wonderful. Everyone is eager to help each other. The team is willing to provide the best serotonin the clients. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Warm, welcoming staff. The environment is peaceful and serene.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
School principal 35 salaries reported	$42,397 per year
Assistant teacher 10 salaries reported	$36,550 per year
Early childhood specialist 5 salaries reported	$76,003 per year
Social worker 4 salaries reported	$70.00 per hour
Lead teacher 7 salaries reported	$48,711 per year

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