direct support professional

group manager

program specialist

behavioral specialist

direct support professional ii

Penn Residential Inc

At first I was really happy to work here. The office workers are friendly and honest. I always felt like my job was secure. I never had any disciplinary issues and was never suspended. My consumer was great and very easy to work with. These are all great things about employment at Penn Residential. However I consider this simply essentials that all companies should have. 

However I’m no longer working there because there are some things other companies had available .  First off, I asked to work 7-3, but was placed at a house where the consumer was not in our care during that time on weekdays . I was stuck working 4-12 even though this was not a good time for me. My consumer was non verbal so he could not express a lot of his feelings. This meant he needed attention and care. They brought in another roommate that was not a good fit and things started to go downhill at that house. I also feel like the cameras were used less for training and more as a tool for enforcement. We would receive emails about things that would otherwise be of no issues  if no one was monitoring from a security camera. 


This is a for profit organization, which is different from many IDD providers.
I will not speak much of my role; for anonymity.

This company needs a new soul, as well as new processes in which to hold workers accountable in a respectful but firm and finite manner. Also, so that those who need to, can train staff and build the skills they need to work with these folks. Administrative staff openly swear about other workers, and in secret often about one another. It is incredibly difficult for lower level staff to be formally reprimanded and firings rarely occur. I do feel like management often wants to people to become so disgruntled, they resign (which happens often - this company has an incredibly high turnover). The mutual disrespect is endemic. Positive? Highlights are an excellent HR team and decent pay for the area.

I advise anyone who seeks anything beyond a DSP or DSP II position to look elsewhere - and if you want to be a DSP to have a thick skin to deal with both co workers and persons supported. I can say that it is at least easy to advance if you do your job even halfway decently, though this isn't always a net positive.

Working at Penn Residential has been a rewarding experience. The company is incredibly flexible with scheduling, which makes it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The team atmosphere is one of the best parts of the job—everyone is supportive, collaborative, and genuinely committed to helping each other succeed.

What really stands out is the organization’s dedication to continuous improvement. Penn Residential actively seeks feedback from employees to improve their approaches and practices, and you feel like your input truly matters. Leadership is open to new ideas, and it’s clear that the company cares about both staff development and the quality of care provided to residents. I would highly recommend Penn Residential to anyone looking for a positive and growth-oriented work environment.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Very flexible schedule, easygoing and easy to get along with colleagues, great pay (one of the higher paying jobs in my area, Connellsville).

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Challenging work environment, but it’s fulfilling work. It tests your patience, and you’re going to need a lot of it. We work with mentally handicapped individuals.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment can be stressful due to the fact we work with individuals who can be non-verbal and have challenging behaviors. The culture is very inclusive, everyone respects and appreciates everyone here.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Fill out morning paperwork, fill in any important information in Caretracker (app we use to collect data), follow the individual’s daily routine, make sure you support and respect them while doing so, and fill out evening paperwork at the end of shift.

Ownership still pays low wages and promotes people who have little or no experience in the field, but if you are friends outside of work with one of the higher ups, you got a management position.  Regular staff at times teach newly promoted or people off the streets (but have a schooling degree) that get hired on as their boss how to do their job instead of the company hiring from with in and rewarding those who are knowledgeable and professional about the field. Tons of empty promises.  Hard to get days off for family events and such when you have the time accrued to do so. Management consistently schedules you to work at times that interfere with personal life but upon hire they promise to work around it. Poor company. Owner goes on 10 vacations a year while paying staff hardly enough to live off of. This is not a non-profit organization. This is an all profit organization which means they have the funds to pay their staff a hire wage, but refuse to do so. No rewards. 

I won’t go into detail about my particular issue, however it could have been avoided if I weren’t the only staff with a client who is known to be aggressive. I was fired and this situation could have been avoided if the house was properly staffed.

I was also told in hiring that clients are not that aggressive and with proper care they can be calmed down. They have some of the most aggressive clients in the area. 

I was lucky enough to have an amazing manager. She was so sweet. Unlike most she did what she asked her staff to do. It’s nice to see a manager who is willing to do the tough duties with their staff. 

If you need a decent paying job, compared to others in the area, then go for it. But they’re always hiring for a reason....

This job is great as far as clients are concerned. You build a bond with them like family. It’s staff and management that isn’t the greatest. Horribly long work hours and a lot is put on your plate for the hourly pay. Upper management can be very sarcastic when you bring concerns to them. They tend not to take your worries/issues too serious. Turn over is very bad leaving staff with sometimes 14 hour shift and no relief. Leaving you to stay longer. Management tells you they care deeply about your family and personal life, but write you up if you need any time off for any type of emergency. They will work you excessive if you allow them and don’t speak up. It’s honestly not worth the pay rate. 

The job is what you make of it - it all really depends on what house you're assigned to. The company itself does a lot of questionable things and doesn't really seem to care about the thoughts, opinions, and well beings of their employees or their individuals. 

An extreme lack of accountability and consistency from administration. The company expects its employees to constantly be available and have no life outside of work but administration is not willing to help out when needed - they would rather sit in their offices, behind their desks, and give orders by watching employees on their camera surveillance. 

If you enjoy clicks and employees talking about other employees when they’re not around as well as management then Penn Residential is the place for you. But expect to work very hard for very little. Be prepared to give up your social life because there is no calling off for any reason what so-ever. If you are dying from the flu well you better start calling other employees to pick up your shift because management will not be bothered with that . And if you can’t find someone you MUST go in or else you could be let go. You’re gonna work with   a lot of people who HATE the job, and show it. Try not to open up and make friends because as soon as you do they will turn on you.

Overall Penn is a great company to work for.  Penn provides great care  for their individuals.  The work culture can be tough though, but that's anywhere.  The expectation is that you come to work and do what you signed up for as a DSP, Manager, Administration member...whatever it may be. Its not just a job that you come to a home and sit around. Penn holds high expectations of care for its individuals. And some people find correction difficult when be told to correct something. If youre looking to make a change in people's lives, actually grow with a growing company, and make an overall difference...Penn Residential works! No company deserves 5 stars, there's always room for growth, and Penn is positively growing

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 23 salaries reported	$18.72 per hour
Group manager 1 salary reported	$43,680 per year
Program specialist 1 salary reported	$55,000 per year
Behavioral specialist 1 salary reported	$70,000 per year
Direct support professional ii 2 salaries reported	$20.50 per hour

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