direct support professional

special education teacher

residential team leader

registered nurse

community manager

The Arc Erie County New York

Starting out my journey at the ARC, I was promised to have appropriate training upon accepting a position as a residential coordinator.  They give you a checklist and expect you to know what your duties are based on your review of the specific checklist.  There is no support once you are on board.  They had another coordinator train me on my duties, which was new themselves.   You are required to oversee several houses, which are unbalanced between all other coordinators. Unbalanced caseload ultimately made me feel like I was drowning all of the time, pushing me further from meeting deadlines.   I felt alone and unsupported for months in my position.  

Everyone from residential above the management level is NOT SUPPORTIVE at all.  They act like they are until you miss deadlines and get subliminal threats thrown your way. 

My suggestion: stay far away from this employer.  They don't grant enough time off - 30 hrs. each quarter.  There are currently other agencies out there paying way more for the same required effort.   More PTO distribution as well.




The Arc is, without question, the worst agency in the area—both in terms of the services it offers to individuals and how it treats its employees. The pay is the lowest in the industry, yet the organization is bloated with layers upon layers of middle management. Meanwhile, the people doing the actual work—the Direct Support Professionals—are grossly underpaid and undervalued.

It’s no mystery why their programs consistently underperform. When you funnel resources into endless management positions while starving the front line of support, you're guaranteeing failure. It’s basic logic—unless, apparently, you work at The Arc.

The work environment is toxic, morale is nonexistent, and upper leadership seems more concerned with protecting their own positions than improving services or outcomes. I genuinely hope Medicaid cuts hit this agency hard. They’ve earned every bit of the downfall that’s coming to them—both for their complete disregard of the people they claim to serve and their appalling treatment of staff.

It's definitely a job where you need to be patient and calm in stressful situations but everyone is so kind and so ready to help. It really feels like you're part of a team. The assistant principals are so sweet an amazing. I feel that the principal and a lot of the administrators really had no idea what was happening and what we needed but the assistant principals always did their best. You can easily go from a sub to another position with the right education. At least one assistant principal used to be a teacher so there's still room to grow past teacher. The teachers are always such an amazing team. If you asked for help, someone was always ready to be there. I honestly miss this job so much. They have amazing holiday events too. They have games, bounce houses, etc. And all the classes have a chance to go! If you're a sub or an aide, you get out at 2:30 which is awesome.

When A Disability  School take away Gym, Art Music. For over 2 years from the student, because they are so short handle and close 2 classroom. Needs to be reported. So many kids in a class, not being serve right. Not to say staff are treated with no respect ,They took away our time. During covid .And we were the first school to opened 5 days a week .Now 2 years later Covid is spreading kids come in sick making all the staff sick again. And were fully vaccinated with boosters. With no time. Very low pay for Teacher assistant's. We do all the work. All the changing of the kids. Teachers and Therapist make all the money, with out us You wouldn't know what to do. That's why you have a big turn over .They keep money from us ,We ever got money from Our Governor.

I would say you have to have the heart to work here but it’s way more than just that. You need patience and Jesus Christ on your side. The individuals are okay for the most part. The company doesn’t care about staff. Haven’t gotten a raise in years.. bonus nobody barely new about because they made us verify through our work email which barely works so if u didn’t fill out some electrical paperwork through your email you didn’t get your bonuses that you rightfully earned. You reached out to the person who suppose to help are rude & can careless. They ignore you. Just all around unprofessional. This company needs a union. I come from a 7 year experienced CNA so I’ve been in the health field for a while. I love what I do but this place will make you turn into another person. Don’t waste your time. I’m mad I’ve wasted mines. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The people they serve . The individual you help 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Back stabbing , no leadership , turnover rate of whole program’s , only cares out new building Black water , condescending, only care about making money

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Backstabbing , no consistency, poor leadership, mismanagement, and no training

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Some direct supervision , when asking questions talked down too , miss management of time and not consistent with programs, not fair for everyone have  favorites

Put in very dangerous situations with staff leaving or being understaffed. They keep opening more homes to get more property and money like a pyramid scheme. You get paid time off but can’t ever use. No job security or stability. They exploit the workers and disabled people to funnel money to upper management positions. They place no importance on retaining valuable employees. These poor disabled people have a revolving door of people working where they live and caring for them. No family atmosphere or stability for them. It’s a recipe for disaster. 

2017  Was the year I started IN the school  777 Maryvale .And I love it .But things took a turn ,They move you around in different rooms. Because unprofessional staff member ever show up. Instead of thanking us. They  treated us very badly. And gave everything to the non workers. They even got bigger bonuses .You gave out so much money to them .When loyal workers that been there for years got the lowest Bonuses. Now you have no Good staff left ,Maybe a few are sticking it out. And NO REAL TEACHERS ARE LEFT. Anyone that work under one assistant principal HAS LEFT .Like I said was a good place.

Excellent overall atmosphere.  Great people.  I worked in records, both physical and electronic.  I also performed research to stored archives, and supported audits.  

  My position was being phased out as we went completely to electronic records, and we were not going to be supporting the Medicaid Service Coordinators any more.

  The new position that they generously offered just didn't work out for me.  I enjoyed my time there, and would recommend this organization to anyone.

The ECC of special education, start here and go anywhere else. It’s a good way to get your foot in the business because with the high turn over rate they will most likely hire you as someone probably just left an hour before your interview. But remember it’s a business first not a school, in fact the Arc Erie Chapter keeps the school at the bottom of the barrel, constantly demeaning employees and telling them they have no money for raises or bonuses while severely understaffed, make employees pay for staff appreciation events and boast about the benefits other departments get. Apply but with a grain of salt.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 98 salaries reported	$21.16 per hour
Special education teacher 37 salaries reported	$32.65 per hour
Residential team leader 48 salaries reported	$24.94 per hour
Registered nurse 47 salaries reported	$32.87 per hour
Community manager 29 salaries reported	$22.95 per hour

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