direct support professional

support specialist

support manager

behavioral specialist

career coach

St. Louis Arc

I worked as a counselor for the respite camp program one summer. The job seemed like a lot of fun and fulfilling to help individuals with disabilities. The only issue I had was that, during training, we were told we couldn’t “make” the clients do anything they didn’t want to do. This meant if a client ran off into the woods you had to tail them and “suggest” they come back. If they didn’t want to go you basically had to spend the night in the woods with them. This alarmed me because it didn’t prioritize the safety of the staff or clients but I figured that’s a rare situation. My first weekend I had a camper with severe disabilities. Nonverbal in a wheelchair with a feeding tube and diaper. She was somewhat ambulatory and COULD walk but it was hard for her. The first night she was there I was instructed that I would have to feed her. I told them I was not comfortable doing that as I was not a medical professional and had no prior training. They respected this and sent the “nurse” (who was also not medically trained he was just some guy that used to be a counselor there) to do the feeding. The first time I witnessed this the girl started wandering around and refused to remain stationary during the feeding. For those unaware if you have a feeding tube you’re supposed to lie down and remain still or complications can arise including air bubbles collecting in the tube and causing all sorts of medical complications. The “nurse” did not make this girl sit down or even suggest it, he just followed her around as she walked/crawled and dumped food into her tube. I asked if we should at least strap her into her wheelchair to minimize movement and he told me no that we just had to alter our behavior to fit the clients. I  pointed out that this was extremely unsafe and used the example of someone refusing life saving medication and how in that situation we should be allowed to administer it to save their life. This “nurse” had a holier than thou attitude and basically told me I was a barbarian for even recommending we take steps to ensure this girl was being fed correctly. After this incident I did not feel comfortable working there as I felt safety wasn’t taken seriously or even considered. Work here at your own risk

It is truly a rewarding job, spiritually. But my car doesn't run on spirit.

Honestly, I loved working there. The job was good and coworkers were great. There are only two real issues I had...

1. No money. They are a state funded non-profit, so they can't afford to pay people what they deserve. But, they are upfront about that from the start. And it isn't like the CEO is pocketing all the profits because there aren't any profits. It's just a low budget organization.

2. There is NO room for advancement. First of all, most of the employees are very young. I was actually shocked at how well everything runs considering the average age is so low. That being said, there aren't many people retiring in the near future. Also, the people that work there do it because they love the job. They don't do it for the money, the power, or the glamour. They do it because the work is rewarding to them. That means they are there for life. I came in at the lowest entry level job they have. The person directly above me has been there for almost 20 years. 20 years and still at the second rung of the ladder.

I just can't justify getting stuck in a place where I would work very hard for just over minimum wage. The organization really is great though. 

If you are in school and looking for a part time job, or retired and just want to do something positive with your time (instead of spending all of my social security at the Cracker Barrel), it's an awesome place to be.

When I was hired as a residential DSP, I was cautioned that the last two people who held my position were not team players and each lasted only a month. I then found the home where I worked to be frequently at odds with Arc's core values, particularly in the volume and tone of staff interactions with the people we supported. 

Arc's training emphasizes the importance of reporting to your manager/coordinator anything that "gives you pause,” and stresses that failure to report is equally unethical as the reportable behavior. I shared my concerns with my superiors but did not observe any changes in the environment. After two months, HR contacted me by phone and reminded me that, as a probationary hire, I could be let go for any reason or no reason. I was let go and told that if I were to reapply for another position, I would be recommended for rehire. 

During my time with Arc, I was able to see much of the organization's important work and meet dozens of staff members. My overall impression of the organization remains positive. But some parts of the organization embrace its values more closely than others, and you should not take for granted that you will have the opportunity to effect positive change in those environments.


A typical day?
Super busy but super rewarding! You get to hang out with the coolest people.

What I have learned?
A ton! How to help people with ID/DD is the biggest thing!

Management?
Terrible. I am constantly gaslit by my manager and I’m sick of it. I tried to report her but I ended up getting in trouble because she’s friends with all upper management and no one will listen to anyone under her. She is the only boss who has ever had a problem with me and I have had over 15 bosses in my lifetime. She also doesn’t give certain employees the gifts we get from the company. She only gives one worker overtime. She has favorites.

Workplace culture?
Depends on the house. Most people are untrustworthy and will do anything in their power to backstab you. The residents we take care of are amazing but the workers aren’t always.

Hardest part of the job?
Honestly? Nothing to do with the job itself. The fakeness of the management is insanely hard to deal with.

Best part of the job?
Helping people live their best lives!

St. Louis Arc,
As one of your current employees, please fix your management. You are forcing hard workers, such as myself, to look for other jobs just because they know that nothing will change and they deserve better than to be gaslit by their managers. I have tried to reach out to you about my manager but it always gets back to her and she ends up treating me even more poorly.


The ARC is a great organization to work for. You must LOVE to serve others with your heart! 
    The Community Support Specialist position requires you to have a car that you WILL USE every day you work. You will have wear and tear and your car will show it!
     With that said, they will compensate .50 per mile.
   You are expected to understand a variety of disabilities and be aware of cues when working with individuals in the community in order to have a positive experience for the individuals you work for. You will plan the day with a group of up to 4 - and take in account each Individual plan and goals.
     The documentation process is computerized.
    As a current employee, I employ you to take this in mind: This is a labor of LOVE. NOT a job to make a paycheck by. Please apply if you will make  the individuals FIRST.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Knowing what their purpose is and learning  the different system.  Also, the fact that they gave me a chance after being laid at a horrible time in the world.


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working with one person that called me into a meeting on made up accusations and lies.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Outside of the person I worked closes with it was peaceful, calm and I was even assured that there was know mistake that I made that could not be fixed.🤔

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Always wondering if I was going to be pulled in a meeting of lies.

The services the agency provides and their core values are admirable, although there is quite a bit of miscommunication and lack of communication in individual departments. As far as training, it’s not unusual to be left to fend for yourself and teach yourself how to navigate through your job, only to be reprimanded for lack of knowledge you were never given in the first place. 

While working there I also witnessed managers speaking negatively in an open forum about other employees or past employees. This made me feel uneasy. 

Like most agencies in this field, pay and staffing are ongoing issues, However, pay has recently improved, and it is a great work environment. The people we support are the best. My department has good flexibility, though it does include on call and some long hours. My co-workers are excellent and management has made a commitment to inclusion and diversity. Continuing education is encouraged as well as participation in professional organizations. 

Bottom line, I have family with IDD and I would pick Slarc to provide their services. 

They want you to put St. Louis Arc above all other aspects of your life.  Specifically, I was told, "I understand your children have sports and other activities and that your family has get-togethers, but you need to make sure you are putting your job first." This was with ample notification of needing off and missing many of my children's activities to work instead.  Also, the pay is VERY low, though I understand that may be due to it being a non-profit.  However, the majority of the people working there are very pleasant and put on a positive front while working, which made it much more tolerable.

I was employed here while I was attending graduate school. Most of my classes were in the evenings so the set daytime work hours worked well for me. Working directly with individuals who have developmental disabilities is a great experience. I was not a huge fan of my direct supervisor. Co-workers were all great. I had mostly positive experiences with other members of upper management. Advancement opportunities seemed minimal throughout the agency as a whole but could primarily be accessed if you were willing to work in Residential Services as there was frequently a need.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 13 salaries reported	$22.23 per hour
Support specialist 7 salaries reported	$24.08 per hour
Support manager 12 salaries reported	$25.39 per hour
Behavioral specialist 5 salaries reported	$24.30 per hour
Career coach 1 salary reported	$24.04 per hour

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