therapist

special education teacher

teacher's aide

case manager

speech language pathologist

The Help Group

The Help Group on the surface is an organization that strives to improve/help children with disabilities.  It is a great starter job and the best part of the job is working with the children.  The better you are at your job the more difficult your job is.  If you are a good employee you are assigned extra tasks without extra compensation, people generally accept this in hopes of moving up within the agency.
      Throughout the agency there is a high turn over rate.  Typically management sticks around for a while because they have a title and the pay is adequate.  Training of employees within the entire agency consists of required hr training and little to no training in practically all departments (this includes administrative positions).  Experience is not necessary you basically train yourself as you go.  It is easy to fall in love with the job because of the kids but once you look at the business aspect you realize it's just business like all others. If you accept ANY position in which you are paid by the hour within this agency you will be underpaid and most likely unable to support yourself without a second job.  (Accept hourly positions only if you are under extreme despair.)  It is difficult to get overtime within the agency because of budgeting (even if it is advertised).  Raises do not happen very often, every two years or more.  However; when raises are given the more money you make the higher your raise will be, they are given based on percentage (example: 2% of whatever you make).  If you are lucky and happen to start work on a year they give a raise you will most likely get the raise.  All salary positions are adequately paid (you may have to work and not be rich but you will be able to make a living).  Most of the people you will work with will be good.  
    Although breaks are encouraged if you work directly with the clients they will most likely not happen (HR will have you sign waiver documents for your breaks).
    I would love to give this a place more than two stars based on the surface image and their mission statement but in reality 2 stars is adequate.  I believe that most employees within this agency have their heart in the right place.  I also believe the agency itself can do A LOT to improve the work culture for employees and pay hourly employees WAY WAY better given that this place is not a mom's and pop's shop.  There is serious money coming in: exhibit A the marble walls in the main lobby; exhibit B the beautiful new buildings for all the new clients coming in; exhibit c the expansions and purchasing of real estate/new schools.  
     If hourly employees got paid better the turn over rate would be less and the children would have consistency and stability.  Also, the stress level among employees would not be so high there would be experienced and consistent teams working with the children.

Because every employee deserves a great future.

My time at Help Group was brief, yet it compelled me to reflect deeply on the underlying dynamics that drive the organization. As a Behavior Interventionist, I observed an operational structure that relied heavily on its frontline staff to navigate daily challenges with little to no guiding framework. This dependency, in my experience, forced lower-paid employees to continuously improvise, often at the expense of both their professional growth and the quality of care they could provide.

In my view, the disconnect between the company's polished external narrative and the internal realities was stark. While Help Group publicly champions excellence and progress, I witnessed a stagnation in innovative practices that has persisted for years. This disparity left me questioning whether the organization’s proclaimed mission—to support the growth of neurodivergent children—truly influenced its day-to-day operations. Rather than embodying a forward-thinking approach, the company seemed more preoccupied with maintaining appearances than fostering meaningful, systemic change.

Furthermore, I found that genuine opportunities for career advancement were noticeably absent. The rigid, top-heavy hierarchy gave rise to an environment where the Human Resources department acted more as a gatekeeper than as a facilitator of employee development. This bureaucratic framework often stifled open communication, leaving little room for constructive feedback or transformational ideas from those who were directly involved in the work.

At one point, when I voiced ethical concerns about these practices, the call to simply remain “professional” struck me as an evasion of deeper, necessary introspection and change. Initiatives like the annual Summit, which ostensibly aim to bridge modern expertise with practice, appeared to be more symbolic than substantive. This dissonance between intent and action made me feel that the organization has yet to fully integrate its stated values into its operational ethos.

In summary, my experience at Help Group has led me to believe that, despite its public image, the organization struggles with an intrinsic misalignment between its mission and its internal culture. I remain skeptical of its current trajectory and would advise prospective employees or students to approach with caution until there is a verifiable commitment to genuine innovation and comprehensive support. 

This place is ideal to work if you really need a job and healthcare or you really need experience, if you can spare the time and go out and accomplish your goals, do that instead. The hours are long and as an employee, your options do not account for much. While I understand that yes, it is about the clients, working so many hours with them (at time spending more time with them than their own families do) should warrant for something. There is no growth for advancement. They're moving people around and out instead of just hiring new workers. Think of the term 'Cheaper to keep her'.

A typical day is over 14 hrs., depending on what facility you work at varies. You may work in a facility./house/home where they are very dependent on you, or one in which they are very independent, just depends. The organization is client centered for the most part, especially for the adolescents. The adult homes are kind of looked over, and not a 'really big deal' as I was told by a supervisor. Overall, management is ok. My immediate co-worker/partner is something else. They have taken cash from the facility, they have shown up to work hours after they were initially to report. Outside of them and two other co-workers, everyone is level-headed, but are not the type to speak up and out for themselves for the notion that nothing will get done, which has ultimately been proven more times than debunked.

The hardest part of this job is the personalities you have to work with. And honestly, when you have the up-most intention of doing something to change a clients life or adding new activities etc..., there's 10 other staff out for blood because you added 'more' to their work load. Not to mention that we are underpaid for the hours we put in ($8 an hr.) even with overtime and double time, it still equates to what someone who works 40 hrs. a week takes home (after the high healthcare and taxes)

The most enjoyable part of this job is the clients. Especially, when you can take them out of the rut that most of the previous staff have had them in and expose them to new things, and show them that a disability, is just a word, and should not be a barrier. It's the most amazing thing. You feel like you've actually accomplished something in your life.

As a fellow human in the Los Angeles area, I highly advise that you do yourself a favor; do not apply for any HOURLY positions in this agency.  Please have self-respect as this agency won't have any respect for you.

 The best part of this job is working with/for kids.  The Help Group provides job security.  

The agency has an overall high turnover rate due to high stress work environment.  The high stress level is due to their over all hiring/promoting of untrained or poorly trained administration, management and staff.  It is a place where you are thrown in and learn as you go with minimum to no support.  Promotions are given through schmoozing.  Long time and loyal employees are not appreciated, valued nor are they offered promotions.  This agency should only be used as a is a hit it and quit it, one year tops.  

     If you work directly with clients you will not be given breaks, HR will have you waiver your breaks no matter how many hours you work per day.

       The Help Group does not post pay for jobs in which they know that they offer a wage FAR BELOW their competitors.  Posting pay demonstrates how low they think of their hourly employees for that given position.  

     Also, if you apply for a full time position that advertises a sign on bonus $$$ be aware that THG may have you start off as relief or temporary staff.  Accepting a position as relief or temporary staff means that you are NOT ELIGIBLE  for the bonus because you then technically accepted the job of an as needed employee which means you are NOT a NEW full time hire regardless of how many hours you work per week (this is one way the company attracts applicants).  

Best Wishes to all you out there looking for a job.

FYI 
TA $13.50/hr
Residential Counselor or Direct Care Staff w/ Bachelor's Degree working with adolescents $12.33/hr
Teacher salary
Therapist salary
Administration salary

A typical workday: You drive from child family team(CFT) meetings, one on one sessions with clients and/or staff meetings. Staff meetings consist of supervisory meetings (one on one with your supervisor), group supervision meetings and SIT meetings. If they is any time, you work on your case notes. Case notes have to be turned in 24 hours from when you met with the client(s).

The training they sent me were great and informative. I learned a lot about the mental health industry. 

Didn't have a positive experience with the management. I didn't receive very good training and support. I was treated with disrespect, approached harshly and was yelled at during a supervisory session from 2 supervisors.

The workplace culture is you have to work you get the job done. That means you will have to put in more than 40 hours to get the job done.

The hardest part of the job is traveling all over L.A and not having a set schedule. This job works really well for those who are on the go type of personality and who likes a flexible schedule and doesn't mind if they schedule changes.

What I enjoyed about the job was it was rewarding working with the children, The WRAP staff is very friendly and welcoming. They are willing to help you if you need any help. They are very supportive. I enjoyed the training's I was sent to.

I came in as a teacher specialist, but I definitely wasn't prepared for teaching students with disabilities. 

Every day in the classroom was a huge struggle and many times we could get nothing academic done because of students misbehaving, lashing out, and beyond nearly every session. Yet, the parents expect totally unrealistic 100% attention to their child. 

Many times I felt as if I was a glorified babysitter and that academically my students were getting no where. 

There was an INSANE amount of turnover at The Help Group West in general, which is totally understandable. However, my Head of School was actually an amazing and overworked woman that was thrusted into the position after the former principal quit suddenly. I hope that she was compensated well. 

Much of the staff was awesome and dedicated, though some were very cynical and rude to me. 

Compensation was pretty great as a single person, it actually helped pay my way through school. However, I also felt underpaid considering how much drama and beyond that was included on a day to day basis. 

One of my biggest issues was the commute, which was entirely on me. 

My other biggest issue was that I was NOT teaching subjects that I was qualified for, which just made no sense. I tried bringing it up multiple times, but to no avail.

The culture is completely off, there is no support, high turn over rates between staff… CFS, Parent Partners, Therapists, Directors. You will be left alone for the most part. The clients are the best part because thats why people do this type of work- especially when you see growth and celebrate graduations ( best part). Definitely underpaid and there is no sense of personal and professional boundaries and any sense of separation of each. Mixed information given. It’s all about productivity and numbers and upper management who’s been there for over 10 years are extremely protected and even if they are in the wrong they will not accept they’re wrong doings and nothing will happen to them or their positions. You will get above the recommended caseload amount. So be prepared to work and drive every which way and make it happen for the sake of productivity and no incentives. 

Working at the Help Group UCLA Autism Research Alliance has been a great learning experience. A typical day at work includes scoring and verifying data, inputting data into excel, creating packets for future training programs, and recruiting for upcoming studies. The co-workers and bosses are all friendly and very sweet. They are well organized and teach the Research Assistants with patience and are available anytime with any questions. There really is no difficult part of the job except if you chose to create your own abstract and apply to conferences across the globe, than that takes up personal time and commitment. Personally, the hardest thing that I have had to overcome was the public speaking aspect of working at the THG Alliance. The most enjoyable part of the job is that we are all a team which creates a friendly, fun, and enjoyable environment that makes you want to come to work everyday. It is nice to have a balance of hard work surrounded by knowledgeable and easy going peers.  

Was looking forward to this job, helping kids and be a part of a non-profit organization.

Several months later I hated this place and could not wait to leave.

Stuck up management. They only allow you to address them by their title such as Dr. Such and Such - god forbid you call them by their name - they get very upset and co-workers remind you not to do that the next time!

Hiring of the other management is by "friendship only" - thus you get some crazy people you report to, who do not deserve or qualify to be managers.

People at the top buying new cars and own at least 2 houses, take months long vacations - I wonder how if this is a non-profit organization...

Very screwed up and dishonest - like a lot of non-profit organizations.

High employee turnover!

Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere

I had heard many positive things about this school before I started working here. However, after working here, I realized that the way the school presents itself on paper is different from the reality. I would like to be able to say that there is a revolving door of teachers, but in reality what they have is a revolving door of unqualified substitutes. Most people working here do not know how to handle students with disabilities, and the classrooms feel more like a daycare than an educational institution. There is so much verbal abuse going on...especially towards non-verbal students. Moderate/severe classrooms have 12 students with only three staff members, including the teacher. This 4:1 ratio is dangerous due to the level of behaviors, and it makes providing quality education impossible. The school urgently needs to hire more Behavior Interventionists. Working here comes with a 100% chance of being hurt, and the standards are unacceptably low.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Therapist 15 salaries reported	$77,332 per year
Special education teacher 9 salaries reported	$91,710 per year
Teacher's aide 6 salaries reported	$21.04 per hour
Case manager 9 salaries reported	$25.95 per hour
Speech language pathologist 5 salaries reported	$92,800 per year

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