direct support professional

caregiver

program supervisor

in home caregiver

licensed practical nurse

Sevita

Unfortunately, the work place culture is toxic if you try to raise the bar or attempt to report unethical practices to administration. Bullying is tolerated: there is a ridiculous and unprofessional middle school mentality pervasive throughout one of the programs.If you are an employee who recognizes ways to improve that program and you challenge those who prefer to slide by, you will be targeted without recourse. Administration will not help you.  In fact, reporting to administration will only make the hostility in the work place worse for you. 

There is no administrative oversight:  nobody is monitoring employees, but nobody is managing the managers, either. There is no HR department, and no board of directors. Some of us used to joke that the name should be "Timber RIGID" instead of Timber Ridge because administration is so loathe to change. That's ironic because one of the major objectives we have for TBI clients is to have more flexible thought processes, to not be so rigid.  It is what epitomizes this administration.

Hiring policies are incestuous, resulting in an imbalance of legacy employees without skills commensurate with their salaries or titles.  There is extreme blurring of professional boundaries in some disciplines, resulting in employees leading sessions who are neither qualified nor credentialed to do so. 

On the one hand, you have people leading sessions without necessary credentials and on the other hand you have master's level employees who are credentialed and earning a full-time salary but who lead sessions wasting time doing tasks a high school student could lead. 

Inter-employee infidelity is rampant. 

Administration doesn't do enough to help the Life Skills Staff feel appreciated, so there is high turnover and a dangerously inadequate staff:client ratio most of the time. LSS are the backbone of this facility:  they work the hardest and are paid the least. They are taken for granted much of the time. 

This administration rewards longevity and affections over competence and contribution. If you are considering applying to this facility, I recommend you wait until it fixes its internal problems. If you don't want to wait, I would go ahead and apply here if you thrive on drama, enjoy bullying others and gossiping, and are not embarrassed to be part of something with extremely low standards. I was not fired. I left.

If you are a family member doing due diligence on this facility for a loved one with a brain injury, I would say either of the adult programs are wonderful:  there are still exceptional therapists there doing stellar work, and the adult programs have healthy dynamics within them.  It is not an appropriate placement for children.

On the bright side, the potential is tremendous for this facility to be as grand as it once was. To reach that pinnacle again, it will have to do four things:(1)  have a complete overhaul from the inside out and from the top down, (2) get rid of the lousy employees who are so bad that they don't even know they don't know what they should know, (3) stop hiring from within, and (4) it will need to re-brand/re-market itself to get current with the times. This facility could be a leader in the TBI rehab industry.  It was at one time; I do hope it will be again.

What a horrific experience.  Even for someone who is working towards their masters degree in MHC, no amount of education can prepare you for a job at NeuroRestorative.  The individuals with a TBI are treated like second class citizens, with almost no dignity or personal value, with employees being treated even worse than the clients.  These individuals are known as "participants" and will act out in frustration or as a result of their injury. But no matter which, their actions are responded to by a staff member who lacks the knowledge or skill set to effectively manage the client.  Most of the participants have very life threatening diseases such as MRSA, Hepatitus A,B, or C, ( my client had BOTH MRSA AND Hep C) and none of this is shared with the new inexperienced employee before they are assigned to specific clients, and are often left to their own devices to read the clients medical files, but most staff do not take this inititive.  The job required that a staff member sit in the residence with the participant for 8 hours a day, to ensure that their daily needs are met, specifically for those clients who require this one on one approach, as a result of prior behaviors which deemed them unable to live unattended for any length of time. 
This business plan works only if the participant WANTS you to babysit him or her.  Most do not want to be watched while they prepare their meals, or engage in individual tasks, nor do they want to interact with staff for numerous other reasons. The participants resent being in the program and do not welcome intervention by staff of certain color, size or culture, and will share their distain for many of the other nuisances of the program. However I have personally witnessed, staff using foul language, aggression and overall apathy towards the participant.  
In addition there are pharmacological compliance issues that often go unresolved and/or unreported.  Unfortunately there are some staff that care for the individuals in which they are intrusted to assist, but lack the  support of upper management to make any real difference in these individuals' lives. Upper management seems to be aware of many important issues regarding specific problematic "issues" but fail to find any reason to remedy the situation, thus creating larger problems as a result.  This organization needs to be held accountable for the level of service it provides and be truthful in acknowledging when their program does not meet the needs of a participant and should work in the client's best interest to move him or her to a more appropriate facility.  I believe a state-wide investigation in the activities of NeuroRestorative is looming on the horizon, and the outcome will not be positive.

Working for California Mentor under Creative Homes Program has been a positive, rewarding experience. I have been with the company six years as an Early Intervention Specialist. I applied with CHP because I have a son who has ASD and did not get services due to a late teenage diagnosis and his struggles made me want to help at a very young age. I wanted to help toddlers with developmental delays reach their very best by learning with play, by coaching their parents and getting them whatever resources I could. I would like to finish my education and continue to grow within the company and that opportunity is available to me especially since the option of working part-time and making my own schedule is allowed. The only negative with this is by deciding to work part-time you get paid hourly and it is hard to make ends meet at times. But, this is a choice as the option to work fulltime is there. I choose to work 3-6 hours a day in order to help my son, my husband and be present in my daughters very busy life. I continuously say that our work is a job that gives to so many and by helping others, in return it helps me. Who else can say they spend a large part of their day teaching play skills? I have learned so much from parents and toddlers who have struggled with disabilities and did not give up, they are true super heroes! When my time with each toddler comes to an end is definitely the hardest, but most rewarding part. Someone shared with me early on that the best thing about CHP is that all who work here work here for the same reason, because we care and like to help, and it shows! The employees at CHP are kind, understanding and lots of fun. I truly enjoy our staff meetings as they continue to educate and update me with new concerns in our field. I've said I am not a doctor, but I have a little training in areas such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, sign language, sensory therapy, physical therapy, therapeutic massage and of course first aid and CPR.  As employees, we are truly appreciated throughout the year at staff meetings and with special fun events. The bond I have built with other employees has turned into caring friendships. We check in with each other, send holiday and birthday greetings and we help each other when needed with work tasks.  We are truly a team! I have always felt respect from all positions in our company from our two amazing Program Directors, the Supervisors,  the Behavior Specialist, the helpful office staff and other Early Intervention Specialists. I  am grateful for the time I have had with CHP and look forward to the years ahead.

Please don't even apply for these people. They are ALWAYS understaffed, most likely because they are a terrible place to work and most people realize that early on. I received very minimal training and couldn't seem to get any straight answers from my supervisor when I had questions. They take in people without having paperwork together on them....important paperwork....MAR's, etc. They advise staff to give medications based on what the bottles say, rather than not to give medications until the correct MAR is in place.  They also hire relatives, so it is one big family reunion when you work there. Probably great if you are one of the relatives, but not so much if you have no blood ties. Direct care staff run the show because that is what they are used to having to do. When a Coordinator comes into the mix, they are met with uncooperative staff because they are not used to following any rules or having any authority figure in place. Rather than mentoring their employees when there is any sort of issue, they just fire them. Problem solved, I guess. There is ABSOLUTELY NO CHAIN OF COMMAND!! Workers go straight to the upper management and complain and are not redirected to the Coordinator, or program manager.  They Micro-manage the Coordinators and Program Managers. TERRIBLE PAY for their workers too. 12 bucks an hour when they could go to other places in the area and make 3 to 4 dollars more per hour. They just want to line their pockets.  I should have gone with my gut instinct on this place. Sketchy!!! I was fired without even having so much as a verbal warning about ANYTHING! Please save yourself the headache and scroll past their Advertisement for employment. They also advertise free meals for staff, but don't bother to budget that in, so you never have enough food in the house.  I was talked to about my budgeting skills because I went my 600 dollar limit for the month. I explained that it was difficult to budget when I could only shop at 1 store and that the prices at that store were very high. Budget was 200 dollars per person for 3 meals per day plus snacks. There would not have been enough money to actually feed the staff , yet they advertise free meals as a benefit.  Also, other people could use the charge account at the store without having permission to do so. How can anybody budget when there are a bunch of hands in the cookie jar? I was also told that I could "shred my own cheese" to save money. LOL. They also got a gas card for a gas station that could only be used in neighboring towns, both of which were more than 20 Miles away.  It would cost a bunch of time and money to go get the gas.

I enjoyed my job when I was hired. I was able to assist clients with day to day activities, help establish or maintain a daily routine & just have fun with the clients. 

The drawback is I started under another company that was bought out by Sevita. Staffing was awful, they practically give the jobs away and the DSPs hired were terrible! They would be lazy and literally sit around watch their phones or tv and not support the individual they were assigned to work with. Not all of them but some of them. I worked during COVID, became house supervisor, had state arrive 5 days later to do an assessment. We had no staff and I was told that if I called for help with staffing they would come. Not once did they show up. I worked 16 hour days 6-7 days a week because we didn’t have the staffing. Or people would not show up or call out. Respect was lost for the leaders who were supposed to support their supervisors & managers. Couldn’t make supervisor/manager meetings due to being on the floor. I worked swing shift from 6am to 2pm. Someone would call out or no show and I would end up having to stay until 11pm. Or I would have to come back for night shift 11pm-6am and still have to work my 6am-2pm. I couldn’t call out sick at all! That irritated me heavily! During Covid anytime someone sneezed or looked pale they sent them home to quarantine. I show up with a fever and stomach flu and I still had to wear PPE and work a double shift. No one came. I still had to work. I had to suffer and press on, but literally was not allowed to take time off at all but all the other employees and managers or supervisors could. Not me. Not ever.

Clients started having more and more behaviors due to no stable environment or DSP support. Nothing in their programs were being followed and other houses kept calling and taking my staff without knowledge.

The worst part was when I was leaving and discovered the primo insurance they contracted with were not paying for anything. I got left with thousands of dollars in debt. I had 3 weeks of vacation stored up, never used. Gave my 2 weeks notice, filed everything correctly. Didn’t end up getting my 3 weeks vacation or paid out for it and my last paycheck was shorted. Then I find out a year later that my HSA was being drained monthly for maintenance fees that no one told us about. I got so screwed over by this company. I highly recommend checking it out before you apply. They still text and email me to offer me a job. Even after I told them what they did was wrong and to leave me alone. I’m not sharing this for fun or to stir up things. This not only happened to me but several employees that worked for them. 

I’m seeing with this company (like many) your experience depends on the local management. Unfortunately, The Mentor Network, suffers from the same problems most corporate organizations do, a total disconnect between those in the field and those in the office. Most people who work in the local office even (let alone corporate, haven’t done direct work with supported people or “consumers” yet, they have a lot to say about how things need to be and should be done. Corporate/ local office rarely visit the homes and just throw expectations and punishments out of nowhere without even trying to understand what it’s like to work in a group home from day to day. Orientation is very out of touch as to what you’ll be doing day to day and how you can handle it. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, to be fair, they elaborate some on that but not nearly to the extent of what is the true reality. Consumers can often be violent with you and you can’t defend yourself without the threat of jail. You just have to call the police and hope for the best outcome. In ways, you have to take the abuse. Sometimes it feels and, most of the time actually, you are a babysitter and a maid. This is basically a nanny job. You will end up cleaning the whole house. Consumers do clean but nowhere near have the ability to clean up to par with corporate standards. A year of good work can be disregarded at the slightest speck of literal dirt. Most of the time you’ll be thrown to the sharks and hopefully you survive. Things are barley explained and if you mess up that’s on you. Was told “you’ll get in trouble for not knowing the right things to do even if you aren’t told what they are” WHAT?! Going onto the medication system, they have a horrid medication documentation system that is extremely time sensitive. Morning meds are done at 8 AM and you have until 8:30 AM to enter then into the system. 8 AM can be a very busy time and sometimes, for whatever reasons,  sometimes appointments etc are scheduled then. If not entered exactly at the right time you get a “med error” and your job is threatened….basically over a typo. Not because you gave the meds wrong but because you didn’t click the box saying you did it at the exact time. If you accidentally skip a box while entering the meds you can’t go back and you get a med error basically saying you can’t give meds (even though you can) because you’re human and typos happen. There’s no mercy for this. Overall, you’ll get worn out soon enough with this job. I’ve often thought of getting employment elsewhere and currently am as well. 

As a DSP I was often given various tasks that according to printed job descriptions were the responsibility of my direct supervisor(s).....very high turnover rate for all positions at my local office. In just the last 2 years to current date, I had 4 different Program Supervisors and 3-4 different Program Directors. Usually short staffed and when hrs/shifts need to be covered, you are expected to do so and appreciation is not expressed or shown. You will be expected to put your job above your family. You will be expected to work your shift regardless of personal/family illness. Once I left my special needs son home by himself not realizing how sick he actually was and had just asked a neighbor to please check on him. . .he had  a low fever and had vomited a few times. When I returned home that afternoon he continued to vomit nd not be able to keep any food or fluids down through the night. I called at about 8pm that night to report to on-call (which happened to be my direct supervisor at the time) I would be at work the next morning for my shift due to my son still being quiet sick and stated I expected to tke him to the Dr. I was told there was no one available to cover my shift and was expected to show up to work at my scheduled hours several times during the conversation. I felt like I was being forced to choose between my job and my child. **I contacted every coworker that could possibly cover my shift and found that none of them were available to work for me. If a DSP is unable to find someone to cover got them and they cannot make it to work, it then falls on the house supervisor to cover for the time you are absent. Mine had just rudely told me no one was available to work for me while she was scheduled to be off. SMH. There is obvious favoritism shown by supervisors and in my experience the supervisors seemed to work against one another to try making themselves look better and coworkers gossiping behind others backs. Dont expect the people in the positions over you to advocate for you at any point, they will not. To say you will be overworked and underpaid is definately an understatement.
I enjoyed the job itself and will greatly miss the clients I worked with.

Since I am a supervisor my typical day is a mix of direct care and administrative time.  During direct care I get to spend time with some cool individuals who live at the group home I manage - helping them become more independent in all areas of their lives. In the past I have encouraged and helped an individual save up to go on a NasCar vacation and then on a African Safari vacation.  Get to make craft things with the individuals for different holidays, have water gun fights in the summer and snowball fights in the winter...we always find ways to have fun even with COVID limiting our options. 
It is important to me to be consistent and follow through all things that I tell the individuals I work with and the staff who I supervise.  I always tell my staff that when I ask them to do a task it is not something that I have not already done myself in the past or that I would do, but that at the time I have other commitments so cannot complete that task. 
I try to learn things at work through different training/workshop opportunities.
The hardest part of my job is when the internet is not working and I am trying to get things submitted for a deadline or the individuals are frustrated because they cannot go online without internet working. Also, when upper management delegates/adds more work to our already full workload. I complete documenting and writing new plans/goals for the individuals after meetings and getting their input on what they want to learn and/or think they need help with, train new and current staff, code purchases, schedule and attend appointments with the individuals, take individuals shopping/to library, complete Census for billing purposes, have open contact/communication with other team members/supervisors,  plan/hold staff meetings and attend/participate in leadership meetings, complete payroll and scheduling of staff. 

The best part of my job is the people I get to spend time with and help become more successful in their lives. It makes me happy to hear one of them say 'thanks" when they learn something new or get to do something they thought they would never be able to do. Also, mentoring my staff to become leaders in whatever field they chose even if it is not with our company. I always tell them to lead by example, be honest and open and always be there for those around you.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working at Sevita is the opportunity to make a real, positive impact on people’s lives every day. Many employees value:
Meaningful work – supporting individuals to live more independent and fulfilling lives
Strong sense of purpose – your work truly matters to the people you serve and their families
Supportive team environment – teamwork and compassion are highly encouraged
Growth opportunities – training, certifications, and chances to advance within the company
Flexible schedules – helpful for maintaining work–life balance
Inclusive culture – Sevita promotes respect, diversity, and person-centered care

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working at Sevita often relates to the demands of caregiving and staffing challenges. Communication gaps – miscommunication between shifts or management can add frustration. The stress is manageable when there is good teamwork, supportive supervisors, and proper training. Strong support systems can make a significant difference in mitigating these challenges.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
At Sevita, the work environment and culture are generally described as person-centered, collaborative, and mission-driven. Caring – There’s an emphasis on empathy and respect for both the individuals served and fellow staff.
Team-Oriented – Colleagues often work closely together, supporting one another to overcome challenges

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day at Sevita is hands-on, structured, and people-centered, and it can vary depending on the shift. 
Review shift notes, care plans, and any updates from the previous staff
Check medication schedules, appointments, and daily goals for the individuals supported
Greet and assist individuals with morning routines (bathing, dressing, grooming)
Help with meals: preparing food, feeding if needed, and following dietary plans
Support medication administration according to policy
Assist with mobility and transportation.
Encourage independence and choice in daily activities

During my last actual shift with this company, my Supervisor decided to have an unplanned, unscheduled meeting in which she mentioned that i might have to "transfer houses". Meaning, train somewhere else because she refused to handle the deeper-rooted issues going on with an individual in the group home I was working in. Rightfully, I was upset. My shift began and 11:00 pm and I was anxious all night long, then I was told the transfer was NEVER on the table, but that I was being taken off the schedule for review. Management would not respond to me for TWO WEEKS after this incident, giving me no insight on when I could come back or if I could come to collect my personal belongings after my resignation. I was actually threatened with legal action if I showed up and I was told I was harassing my management. When they gave me a time and place to pick up my things, they weren't there and they tried to make me wait another day. I would have called the police but luckily another co-worker was able to pick up my things for me. These people will smile to your face and then stab you straight in the back the MOMENT you turn around. I have heard/seen so many heinous, unprofessional things from the Supervisors who are supposed to exemplify greatness. I picked up extra shifts, stayed as late as I could to help, tried my hardest to uphold the values that I was taught. It didn't matter. These ladies have been working together for 20 years, nothing I could say would have changed the fact that I was the odd one out. A co-worker of mine had a very similar experience and we resigned within days of each other. Lastly, I was contacted by my Supervisor almost every time I was off work about things that either could have waited until I did come in, or things that could have been talked about in a scheduled meeting. I was constantly sick to my stomach with worry that I would miss a text or a call and get in trouble and all the while, I am off the clock! That should not be allowed. With that being said, I have heard that the management that oversaw my area was actually better than most within the company. Do what you will with that info and thank you for reading!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 28222 salaries reported	$16.21 per hour
Caregiver 32217 salaries reported	$15.56 per hour
Program supervisor 5917 salaries reported	$18.56 per hour
In home caregiver 2762 salaries reported	$17.05 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 1591 salaries reported	$26.89 per hour

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