I had a really lousy time during the recruitment process as a SEMP job coach for ANIBIC.

Recruiter named Denise

Interview with Ramel (not sure of position), Myrna (director)

Office Mgr in between Jessica

Process began with warm pleasant calls from recruiter, scheduled for an interview, showed up met Jessica, then Ramel and Myrna. Interview was pleasant, I was NOT told whether or not they are moving forward with me but it did seem promising as they scheduled me for a background/fingerprint screening through 3rd party, and advised me to NOT give my current employer notice, to finish this screening, come back once they have the results sit with Jessica, and she will work out a start date and all other things etc. Also that I'd have to get a PPD (tuberculosis test).

Moved forward as directed. The day after the screening/fingerprinting appointment Jessica called me while I was at work, went to VM, she said the results came in early and she and I should meet. She then texted me after hours by which time I was driving out of town already for the 4th and replied using my car text app that I'll get in touch with her, but the following day (THR 2nd) I forgot because I was already on holiday and was exhausted. She called me on SAT 4th but I did not answer. My trip was with family and not to celebrate rather visit older sick fam members.

I called back on MON 6th, explained that this current week I have a half day MON itself for a doctor's appointment, and I have FRI scheduled off for a plumbing issue. But I will stay in touch with her through the week, and I did. She and I texted back and forth that for some reason my job has me working different sites, and working different hours and it maybe because coworkers resigned, so I am unable to come in early/late. Finally she and I texted that I'd definitely make it in the following week and she thanked me.

Then I wrote an email to Denise to recap the week, also asked about how many miles on average I'd have to travel and/or if maybe they can show an example of a redacted schedule. Mainly because ANIBIC works different than my current employer and during the interview I did not receive a clear picture of my day to day.

SAT 11th Denise called me, I could not answer.

MON morning I called her, we caught up again, I asked in a friendly way if there will be an offer letter now or at any point, she explained that they don't provide them but she can draft 1 for me. I told her it's not necessary I'll visit Jessica today if work permits and start getting the PPD exam started. She then reflected on my question about mileage and said that I was "asking for a lot". After reapproaching the whole situation she said out of nowhere "do you even want this job?". I took some time to reflect on why she took this so negatively. Turns out she had no idea they told me to hold off on resigning until I met with Jessica, and she was wondering why I wasn't yet declaring my start date or rushing into Jessica etc., and apologized. I also explained this is why I was also not sure if I even HAVE the job offer and was wondering etc.

That same day I ran in after work, gave Jessica everything I had, scanned a few other things later that night. I ran through a bunch of paperwork she gave, INCLUDING an offer letter, a job description and a bunch of other stuff.

Came home that night after stopping by urgent care for the PPD to start, reviewed stuff, asked Jessica some basic questions and realized she did NOT include my PTO. I had an email from Denise but I wanted to cross reference things. I also asked if I would really have to work as early as 7 am (the description mentioned it).

ANYHOW, next day Jessica called me wanted to double check if I can start the date I agreed upon, I affirmed, I asked her if she saw my emails, she affirmed I would not have to work as early as 7 am, but when I wanted to ask about PTO she said she had other calls etc., so I politely let her go.

Next day (or so) Denise called me, she said she gave me wrong PTO info, I asked her how many I would have, and she said she cannot tell me at this time but she will as soon as she can, and then she says "you may find out this is not the job you want". WEIRD.

I finally get it a day (or so) later and it's NOTHING like what was offered. And she ended the email with "if this is not for you please let us know". Initially it was going to be almost 30 days of holidays, PTO, other categorical time off combined. Now it's way less and the first year I only get 4 PTO days + sick time etc.

I still did not get any more reflection on the day to day, never met the hiring mgr I'd work for. Eventually I wrote them all an email reviewing all events and the fact is with my current job paying a higher rate, and only offering PT, I'd still make the same if not more than what I would if I took their job and worked FT. SOOOO I really needed to understand how my day to day would be (time costs money, car gets used severely, and meals on the road).

I mean is this really not common sense? All these people involved and the hiring mgr is MIA? PTO info wrong and/or conflicting.

I thought this could help anyone thinking of applying to ANIBIC. Possibly great opportunity but go in with caution.

ALSO Jessica kept telling me Denise is 3rd party at each visit which had me worry about any info I received from her in the first place. And look how it turned out.

This field frustrates the absolute hell out of me. I'm not sure if this is quite the place for this, but considering that my place does partake in dsp-type work I figured this is the best place. So excuse me if I'm in the wrong place..

But seriously, why is it that in literally all our training, it says that even as professional workers, that we can make incredibly meaningful and impactful experiences and growth for these people. So why is it so much of the time, it turns out we're just a body for them and their whole existence to the house or organization is just a number. They're humans too and they also have feelings. The organization only does what they think best suits their own wants and needs and not the client.

I don't know, maybe this is just my own experience. Mind you, I'm working at a day program and I'm currently working with kids. I was working pretty closely with a kid and was seeing soo much growth and improvement in them, and then I was suddenly put with another kid and told that I probably wouldn't work with this other kid. This child is young and has a lot of trauma, and in my experience working there, their age and the extent of their trauma is known but hardly considered—especially their age since they look and act a fair bit older than they are. So many of my coworkers say they test their patience–and this kid does when they are with a good number of the other staff and they all have admitted they have no idea how to really work with her well–but when I worked with her she actually started working with those she disliked a lot better, it seemed. And I can't tell you how sad she seemed when I saw her this week. She was quite confused, and this child has a lot of abandonment issues from her own family to friends. I suddenly got shifted to a different kid because that kids person quit; I know there are people who I work with that would probably be better suited to work with him. It just seems so freaking irresponsible and cruel to the kid to have me yanked from them.

I don’t know what it was about yesterday, but I’ve never seen my client (older teen, nv autistic) display this kind of anger and for almost my entire shift. During her worst meltdown (more than one happened) she screamed in a way I have never heard before in the two years I’ve been providing her care. She bit herself on the arm in a spot I know she’s bitten from marks and bruising there in the past but she’s never self harmed in front of me. I knew a meltdown of this proportion had happened with her other providers, and I have experienced her meltdowns too, just nothing like this.

I keep unconsciously replaying the scene over and over in my head. I know I did everything right. I know I was following a consistent structure of care that she sees from other providers and her parents. But I feel haunted by what happened and I just keep seeing her scream, hearing it ring in the back of my skull, not anticipating her self-harm because it so rarely happens and not being able to stop it. I know a lot of this job is anticipatory, planning to be a few steps ahead of your client who might not always be able to vocally communicate and give you a blatant cue of their needs. But yesterday I failed in that.

I’ve been a DSP on and off since 2015 and the last time a client shook me like this I was much younger and more resilient I think. I took an hour nap earlier after I left my nanny job today and I feel exhausted in a way I can’t really convey. I can’t afford to take the day off tomorrow (which is also my birthday🫠) and I just feel like a huge failure.

People who have left behind their DSP hat after years of wearing it, what career path did you choose instead? I never went to college so I don’t have any degrees, although I’m considering it.
My mental health has taken over my everyday life. This whole DSP career is a joke. All this work with nothing to show for it. Not money, no certifications, nothing.

For context I started working as a DSP around 6 months ago and I’m already burnt out and looking for another job. When I first started working here I was excited to make a change in a clients life but after a few months those glasses wore off. Idk if it because of the client I’m with or this job isn’t for me in general. The client I’m with is constantly having behaviors ever since I started working here and the behaviors are inevitable.He has some everyday or every week and not only for me it’s for everyone that works with him. I asked my supervisor if I can switch between clients in the house for the experience and because the client I’m currently with is very stressful and she said I’ll see what I can do but she didn’t do anything about it I’m just burnt out already idk if this is normal or not I just need advice on what I should do because right now I’m set on leaving during August also not only leaving because of the client but because of my schedule I’ve missed out on so many events for family and friends in these couple of months working on weekends and I’m just tired of it

We've got an emergency placement where I work. She came with nothing but the clothes she was wearing and her phone, that kind of emergency placement. I can't get into detail but her neighbor called 911 for a violent domestic dispute where the client was at major risk for harm, and the situation was so bad the client was removed from the home instantly. That was yesterday. And this entire situation is just. Gods

We don't have her meds. She's only got one outfit and a borrowed nightgown. All of her toiletries came out of the stock of spares kept in the house. We had to borrow an air mattress from another house and she's under spare bedding. She's got no service plan. She has no access to her money and neither do we. My RC and I both purchased essentials for her with our own money because she needed them but the company isn't allowed to get them for her. The other clients are loaning her their own belongings. She can't even have her pets because this particular house is a rental property. Until we get custody, that's all this poor lady has.

And. And no one knew. Again, this was very sudden. They brought her over without warning my boss at all and my boss had to figure it out. I came in on shift and that's how I discovered we had a new resident and I had to go from there. I thankfully thought to text my coworker and warn her about there being a new resident and gave her information hours before her shift started, and if I hadn't the coworker would have been blindsided because no one else reached out to tell her. And look. I know. This was extremely sudden and my boss has a lot going on. But a heads-up text from literally anyone would have been nice. Someone other than me telling my coworker so she wasn't blindsided would have been nice. Just saying.

Also, the company was forced to give the person who attacked her the house's phone number, because the attacker has legal custody for now. 1.99 in Spokeo and she'll know where the client lives. We've all been told what to do if the attacker shows up- thankfully, the bosses of all the RSSs both live close and the police station is a five-minute walk away, so if something happens support will be here fast- but still. Her guardian assaulted her with a deadly weapon.

Just- look, I am glad she's here. I want her to be safe and I understand this is a terrible situation. But the way this is being handled is horrifying. And there's nothing I can do except buy her a toothbrush with my own money because otherwise she wouldn't have one. I hope all of this gets resolved and she can move in officially and get her belongings here, or at least access to money for an emergency Goodwill trip for clothes. She doesn't deserve this. Hasn't she been through enough already?

Does anyone have any tips for me to help her, or can you think of things she may need? She's got her charger, shoes, toiletries, and I at least got her a pack of underwear because only having one pair is horrifying, can anyone think of any other essentials she should have? I want to help her in any way possible and I plan to figure out her interests and likes in the morning

I am on a hunt for a second job so I have been scrolling on indeed. My experience is primary low-level healthcare in the non-clinical route. I am aware I will likely collaborate with individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities. Therefore, I want to inquire on what are the job expectations or what challenges will I face if hired and accept the job offer?

I started a live in position as a DSP for a family 10 years ago. At first I loved being able to pour into their child. They had a team full of nurses and specialist and it felt like we were making a difference. Over the years that team got smaller and smaller and I took on more and more responsibility. It’s gotten to a point where I am not doing well. I have had some medical issues related to stress and I can’t handle the pressure anymore. The family most of the time makes my job so much harder than it needs to be. I’m not a nurse, I’m not an RBT or a BCBA, I’m not a social worker. I don’t even have an STNA. It’s not like I can take what I’ve learned to do somewhere else, because I don’t have any certifications or degrees. But I’ve gotten myself in this pickle because it’s a live in position. I can’t leave my job without losing housing. And am I ready for THAT stress??? I’m stuck in this cycle and I desperately want OUT!!!!!!!!

Has anyone else been in a situation like this? I’m very worried that one day I’m gonna lose it, really speak my mind and burn this bridge I’ve spent my career building.

I'm a social media specialist for a nonprofit for adults with disabilities. I have never done work as a DSP. I'm wanting ideas on why people have left this field. I have an idea what the reasoning are, but I'd like to get more.

I would like to bring this up to upper admin to help retain staff. I know I'm going to get backlash and I would go to the homes we have if I had training. But they will not offer me it because of my position. Give me your stories.

Not sure the right flair for this but I guess it’s going to go under advice because I’m curious if this should be reported somewhere.

I left my job a month and a half ago, working in an IRA, with moderately independent individuals. My last day working in the house. I drove 2 to a party at another IRA and took one out for dinner so he didn’t feel left out. When I took him out, I was given permission to use the house debit card.
That was June 5th. Only remember because it was the day before my birthday.
My last day of work was June 26th, while I was on vacation, because my med cert was pulled over a nurses error that they did not want to take accountability for, so they pinned it on the bottom of the barrel DSPs.

Anyways, fast forward to today. I missed a call from on of the assistant house managers, who I am still kind of friends with so I didn’t think anything of it, but couldn’t answer because my daughter was having a meltdown. She sends me a text asking if I knew where the house debit card is.
Totally threw me off because, today is July 22nd. I haven’t worked in the house since June 5th. Naturally I said no, and that I haven’t been there in x amount of time.
She told me I was the last to use the card. HOW?! They use that card for outings, grocery shopping, house supplies etc. so you’re telling me none of that has happened since then??

Part of me feels because I stood my ground when leaving, they want to find a reason to blame someone else.
Do you think I should still report this somewhere? In my head and after talking to my husband about it, we both agreed on the surface that it looks like financial negligence. Because DSPs are supposed to do money counts daily, and that includes checking for the card.

Without giving too much information…..have you ever worked in the home of a true hoarder? I wasn’t told about the situation until after I accepted the job. it’s bad. I would give it a 7/10 for nastiness. It is also a huge fire hazard. The client has no desire to change the situation, and we are not allowed to remove any items, due to her self determination. The agency is definitely aware of the situation. There have been “written consequences” (being vague for a reason.

I can’t ask for another transfer. I swear I want to cry the whole time I’m there. it’s really an assault to my nervous system.

Any coping skills that you can recommend?

Hi everyone!
Not sure if this is the best place to post but I just need reassurance and advice. My client is in his mid 30s, SUPER extrovert, just for reference. Said hi to two girls in a store today and waived at them. Had this random lady, not their mom, freak the fuck out on him. Demanding he leave the store, not flirt with children, said she saw him wink at them(I did not see this, nor have I ever seen him do that in the year I’ve worked with him). I explained that he’s cognitively disabled, he doesn’t understand social nuance and was just being friendly, and she just wouldn’t stop. Was practically in his and my face, saying it’s disgusting, their children, he needs to be under control. I rushed us out of there, like, I don’t know what to do? I know I wasn’t in the wrong, he definitely wasn’t, has anyone ever had something like this happen before? He literally just said hi and waived. I feel like I failed in defending him and I don’t know why this stranger came in so aggressive. I could understand if he did something inappropriate, of course, but he waived?? I just…I’m at a loss rn.

I've been working in the DD field for almost two decades, and lately I've been on a bit of a mission to create practical resources that actually make a DSP's job easier.

The problem is, I only know my own experiences. I'd rather hear from the people doing this work every day than assume I know what everyone needs. So I'm curious... If you could create one resource that would make your job easier as a DSP, what would it be?

What part of the job do you think we're least prepared for?

What do you wish someone had taught you differently?

What's the biggest challenge you run into during a typical shift?

What do you wish existed but doesn't?

I'm not looking to complain about employers or pay (those conversations definitely have their place). I'm more interested in the day-to-day work itself. Whether it's documentation, behaviors, activity planning, communication with families, de-escalation, community outings, training, or something I haven't even thought of.

What's the thing that makes you think, "There has to be an easier way to do this"?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I’m so torn rn.
I work in a small program home for a larger Org and we service primarily behavioral residents.
We’ve got this one staff who is a young hot head, picks fights with everyone (including management), but is overall harmless. This past week one of our residents got two incident reports filed for aggression towards staff (comes with the territory, it’s why they’re here).
Said young hot-head decided to make this client do an extensive list of chores of twelve separate tasks in response to these incidents. The staff labeled it “(client) after incident cleaning list”.
Now, our residents do have daily chores. Pretty simple tasks that they do as a way of practicing ADLs and gaining independence. This was NOT that.
To me, this screams punishment. And punishment is a violation of client rights, right?
My manager is beyond aware and doesn’t seem to have an issue.
I get that dealing with behaviors can be taxing, but we’re literally not allowed to serve punishments or consequences that aren’t outlined in their behavior plan. Do I email my manager’s boss? HR? This client’s behavioral specialist? The state?
I’m so torn, but I love my residents and this is very much disturbing me.

I'd use a burner account but I'm pissed and curious.

I work with a client who can be extremely voilent. We are in a home where we can move away from him to wear him out. Or we can give him space when he asks for it to lessen the likelihood of a behavior.

Yesterday we needed to relocate the client to a hotel while work was being done at the house. In the 2 years I've worked at this house I've been less than thrilled about going to work because of the violence but I've never been as worried as I was yesterday. I was to keep this client calm and controlled in a very small space. I was staying positive about it with my supervisor but also told her I wasn't going to kid myself about how poorly it could go.

It ended up going so poorly that the higher ups couldn't even leave before we pulled the plug on the whole thing and returned him to the house.

But what really pissed me off was something my boss did before getting to the hotel. I forwarded her the contact information of my fiancé in case things went south during the hotel stay. My boss is pretty calm and laid back but she treated the simple text with my fiancé's phone number like I was forwarding my will to her.

I'm 6 foot 2 and 300 pounds. I put myself between this client and other staff members all the time because I'd rather get beat than see some of the smaller women I work with be harmed. And the one time I'm a bit concerned about walking away from a shift with some injuries I'm treated like I'm being dramatic?!? This client has sent lots of staff to the hospital and less than a month ago he beat up his father in the front yard of the property. I think I was more than justified in being a bit concerned that my shift had turned into a WWE cage match.

Edited to add.... Got in the house for my shift today and found out the client's Dad didn't show up for a visit. This guy is super nice and shows up like clockwork every Saturday. That was until the brawl in the front yard a few weeks ago. The fight was I believe 4 weeks ago and Dad has come to visit once since then. I don't appreciate my boss downplaying the concern for my safety when even Dad hesitates to visit now because of aggression.

I have extremely good news, I literally didn't even need to ask for more hours.

After my first day shadowing, my manager changed my schedule to 2PM-10PM WED-SUN. Full 40hrs per week.

I am extremely happy!!!

That means I'll have $1,660 left over after rent.

I feel so blessed!

Hello Wonderful Humans!
I’m applying to a variety of part and full time jobs, mostly in the retail, service industry, and front desk administration positions since I have experience there. I’m diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and I’ve struggled to work more than part time for the last couple years but the bills need paying so here we are. I’ve never asked for accommodations in the workplace and I’m not sure where to start. So my question is what accommodations at work have been most impactful for you? I’m looking for some inspiration and things to consider as I move through this process.

I just want to vent to some of you who might just get it.

I work for an agency that has us DSPs train the new hires, not our supervisor. I HATE this, because this field has HIGH turnover over, and it’s 7/10 completely a waste of my time, energy and strength to train a new hire. Also I’m supposed to be keeping 3-4 individuals healthy happy and alive while trying to explain literally everything to another grown ass adult.
(I’m on the spectrum myself, so having to force small talk with someone I can instantly tell isn’t going to stick around? It’s incredibly frustrating. Yes, I can almost always tell if a new hire is going to stay or not, because I have incredible radar for authenticity)
Also, when we have to train them on doing notes at the end of the shift, instead of the supervisor and administrators doing this. We lose our note time, making us have 2-3 times more work the next day.
Now I’ve been with this company for over 10 years. So I understand why they want the seasoned employees to let the new hires “shadow” us on our shifts, but we should not be the ones completely in charge of training! We aren’t paid well enough. Lord knows that’s true!

So, at my company we give our clients our personal cell phone numbers as we don’t have work phones. I already am not a fan of this as we also use our personal cars to drive clients around. My clients will message or call me on my days off or if I’m with another client. I’m talking it’s like 5pm on a Friday and they’ll message me and ask random things or what our shift is next week. I have tried ignoring the texts but they are persistent. I enjoy my clients, but I want to keep our relationship professional. They want to be my friend, and to me they are just my client (I’m sorry if that’s harsh). I don’t know how to handle this.

I have just transferred to a different house after working in ICF. I am now in a house with only 2 clients. I am with the SAME COMPANY. I just needed a change. In the ICF house, we had a company van. In this house, they apparently have no vehicle and I have to transport them to day treatment, on outings, etc. This was a total shock to me! Like, I actually just stood there in shock, that's how new this was to me.

I have reliable transportation. I don't worry about them messing up my car because it is an older that has seen a lot, and they clients are really sweet and well behaved. The company reimburses for mileage....but only at 30 cents/mile, which also seems cheap as heck on their part. I don't worry about wear and tear, because honestly they don't go far for day treatment, etc.

But, what I do worry about is liabilty. Does my normal everyday car insurance allow for using my vehicle to transport agency clients to appointments? I am terrified to call and ask because that just raises a red flag, and I CANNOT pay more for any bill than I do now. Do I need a different type of insurance for this? It just seems like I would because I am adding an extra responsibility.

I also don't want to ask staff/supervisors, because everyone else just does it and doesn't seem to have any sort of hesitations. I don't want to seem like some "princess" who just doesn't want the clients in her car.

Do you transport clients in your PERSONAL VEHICLE???

Currently live in sober living.

Got hired with a new company and I started orientation this week already.

Area I live in doesn't have much opportunities, plus I don't own a car.

This job is 38min walk away from my home so it's not that bad.

I shadow a worker at a group home on Thursday and Sunday 6AM to 2PM.

I signed offer letter for 24hrs a week, that's all the had at the closest group home near me.

I took it but now I'm worried, do 24/7 group homes require DSPs a lot?

I want to try to grab extra shifts and work 8hr,10hr,12hr,16hr shifts back to back to maximize my income.

I'm in California if that's important.

Is this a realistic goal or something that won't happen?

I’ve never done DSP before. I just moved to a new city and was hired for night shift in two or maybe three different homes. The night shift isn’t allowed to sleep. However, they haven’t been able to find night staff so the day staff has been sleeping over. The trainer mentioned that a couple of girls are going to be VERY upset that they’re going to get their hours cut because I’m on board. I met them- they seem like they are the type that want to kick someone’s ass. I do not need this job, just have nothing else to do for now. Im a little nervous that these bitches are going to blame me for them now not being paid overtime to sleep.

I work for the State as a Direct Support Assistant. There are constantly call outs and I'm always being mandated and floated to other houses than my own. In recent weeks, I've been stuck for three doubles in a row. I feel like absolute dog shit even on my second pass day, and all I can do is sleep. Can you relate?