The problem is more horrific than you realize. I've been in this field nearly 30 years and this is the worst I've seen it. Staff getting stuck FOR 4 or 5 shifts! Thats 24 to 32 hours straight. No break! Pouring medication, driving individuals to appointments etc. And yes staff would rather go work at McDonald's for more money and no be mandated.
Thank you for acknowledging the systemic issues. My son is a victim. Had Mayas mom not done what she did, indeed Mays would have been in he system for God knows how long just like my son.
I work in this field and can confirm this is a SERIOUS issue we can’t live on what we get paid and most of us have to resort to government assistance and still live paycheck to paycheck even using food bank and foodstamps food never lasts throughout the month and we put so much more care and time into our work than our own lives at home and it’s heartbreaking PLEASE give us some help we want to do good for these individuals as well as be able to support ourselves at least to a point where we have clean clothing, hygiene products, and food in our homes.
The problem is the greed of the group home owners. They don't pay their staff properly and they're not involved with the residents. I have a brother in an adult home and the care giver shared they were only getting paid $8 an hour. I find this disgusting, while owners are nowhere to be found.
Understaffing is nothing new. When I worked in group homes about a decade ago while going to college, the owning company created a policy capping per diem employees at 40 hours. The company didn't want to pay time and a half for overtime. They also didn't pay enough to attract more full time staff to adequately staff without per diems doing overtime.
After five months dealing with a group home company that told us we were the "easily replaceable" tires on a car I just got a better paying job at a drug rehab facility. They are in crisis, too. But they at least "cap" our hours at no more than 16 hours a day. I've routinely done 24 plus hour shifts at a group home. At least he drug rehab facility has no problem paying overtime.
ACTUALLY.... It's the big guy who collects the check and pockets a bit too much while shaving down costs. I started right out of college as a DSP and rose to home manager, then regional manager within 1.25 years. It was horrifying what the budgeting and ISP meetings display. Undeserved wages go upstairs but the actual employees receive below poverty wages. I left on my own accord after calling out the CEO and leadership team on a zoom meeting for the alcohol-fueled meetings and events in front of two county board representatives. I still have shame for both taking part in the industry as well as not staying there to help THE INDIVIDUAL who was the whole reason this industry exists.
Theres no shortage and its not about pay. Its about policies and regulations. A real accurate investigation would have followed the money. Every state offers waivers for services. These waivers are not approved unless funds exists. These waivers go unused. Why?
I have worked with DD adults for 30 plus years. Group homes are often underfunded and short handed staff wise. The staff isn't paid very well either. On top of that group homes are increasingly having to take in clients with aggressive behaviors and other issues that institutions used to handle but without them there is a lack of options for these people to go to.
I work at a group home for ID and DD and I want to quit every week. I no longer feel any fulfillment cause I’m so exhausted. Some of the clients are very difficult. Lots of behavior problems, and outburst. It’s grueling and because of their mental disabilities they aren’t aware of how exhausting they are. It’s not about the money for me. I chose this field to make a difference but I no longer have the strength to continue.
SO grateful this is starting to get some national attention. I don't think most people realize how dire this crisis is and how much worse it's predicted to be if it isn't addressed.
Nationwide, the Caregivers are all saints. The federal government (and every state) are tens of thousands of dollars each year BEHIND in financially supporting group homes. So sad.
You’re mandated to work overtime when someone either calls out or doesn’t show up. You can be stuck at work for 2-3 days. Some of the most violent individuals are placed in these group homes. It’s kind of scary. There’s just way too much on your plate. And you can get in trouble so easily. We’re also expected to take some of the more dangerous individuals out in the general public. The higher ups hand out write ups and fire people. But they stay in their offices. They avoid the dangerous individuals. If you make a complaint, they tell you it’s your job. They show up to the group homes ONLY when those individuals aren’t at the group home, and look for things to complain about. “Oh, there’s dust under this chair, what have you been doing? What else haven’t you been doing?” It’s just degrading work.
I would hate living there! I you can’t have any freedom the freedom to do whatever you want, you can’t watch whatever you want, whenever you want they make you watch baby shows and whatever they make you watch that they you don’t want to watch, you can go out whatever you want whenever you want, you can't listen whatever music you listen to whatever you want and you can’t live by yourself you have to live with others and a caregiver I don’t want that. Damn I feel bad for those people who end up in a group homes that's depressing as hell you are so limited and have no freedoms and basically treating you like a baby my god If they put me in the group home I will run away, I much rather live on the street then living on one of those!
I have been hearing a lot of horror stories myself about group homes ..nursing homes as well as state-owned institutions.. way too many horror stories to ignore.. if you own any kind of property they sell it for money.. the person does not get a drop of that money.. it goes into the home that they put you in.. also it will be their way ..or no way you are going to obey.. I have heard if you do not obey these people.. they will sedate you they will drug you.. then you stare at the nearest wall .. then the vaccinate the crap out of you.. with every single vaccine that they can think of.. if you get Social Security disability ..regular Social Security and widows pension.. they take all of the money from you ..once again you don't get a damn dime.. no so far everything is nothing but a rumor it's a Horror Story.. that they are doing the best that they can to put handicapped people into these homes anybody with a disability.. they don't care how small the disability is they want to lock these people away.. Horror Story upon Horror Story
How is it understaffed in my state the cap the number of people at 4 unless it’s a problematic home so you only need 1 person there to take care of 3-4 people
I worked for the state in the psyche hospitals .1984 to 1988 great pay free benifits free pension.we were happy to be there.never short staffed so we could get rid of the bad eggs
Well all I can say is at the least it is better than the streets. You think you go out into the world anybody will accept or want us? This is all there is for us. For most people out there it is either you have something or nothing. I mean come on it isn’t all that bad at least you have a place to stay and people to care for you for free it is a privilege. Most people have to work tirelessly for their lives and yet they still can’t afford basic needs
There is a huge shortage with DSP workers and the wages are not adequate. Policies and procedures must change. Adequate funding must exist. Our moral compass is appalling and needs major adjustments. Whose life is valued? Value can be seen where financial investments are made.
If we did not have seven million people flood our border, there would be more money. States can not afford to pay more. We are struggling with housing, food, and utilities. This is so very sad. We should be taking care of our own.
After my honest opinions and comments shared on my personal what's app about policies formulated and implemented in Social Engineering World Wide, I am watching the bond movie " Skyfall'' Everybody is Insured and Everybody has right to live with Peace and Happiness.
Thanks for sharing this. It happens to advocacy groups also in Florida as well. It's really awful and hope everyone will learn something from this video.
