Youth Villages Employer Reviews

Working as a TC is extremely difficult. You have to deal with verbally and physically assultive youth on a daily basis, while maintaining a high level of professionalism. This job is not about being able to preform, but rather how long you can preform before burning out. Regardless of time in this occupation, if you can do the work for any period of – more... time you WILL be helping someone, and that makes the job worthwhile. – less

Working here is pretty easy and laid back. We are pretty busy in the mornigs but the afternoon is slow

It is a passion of mine to help others, however politics and bureaucratics can prevent someone with passion from really benefiting others

I would not work there if I was looking for a stable job. I worked 3.5 months straight without a day off, working 10 hour shifts daily. Never received a break on any shift that I worked over the 16 months that I was there, and was always given a hassle when asked for a day off. The kids were not the problem, it was the management. If you do not have – more... a degree, I would not fill out an application for Youth Villages. – less

I worked for Youth Villages and helping out families and learning MST thoroughly were the only pros of this job. I was forced to have 5 families at a time in 4 different counties and worked on average 80 hours a week on salary. I also was on call every couple weeks and was forced to search for at risk youth at all hours of the night with out any kind – more... of lead. Some places were dangerous and my supervisor still made me go out. If you are willing to drive 200-300 miles a day and put in the hours to learn MST then this is the job for you. – less

This company gave me a lot of foundational therapy experience. I learned how to engage a family and look for small success with the youth that I was working with. There is very little support from upper management when it comes to case loads, travel and retention of staff. I was a clinical supervisor and I carried cases for my staff and did paperwork – more... for them to save their job and mine. The training is great however there is a dis-service done to the youth and families when the staff is burnt out, stressed out, and unable to complete daily functions due to the unrealistic, unhealthy, unsafe demands that come from the company. – less

This company devotes a lot of time and energy into entry level employees. Those able to meet the expectations of the job are awarded with opportunities to develop in leadership. There are multiple leadership development trainings available; however, if you desire to have a family and a life outside of work this may not be a long term option. The company – more... portrays a good picture of a work-life balance and even provides employees with a mandatory time management training; however, the seemingly urgent yet unimportant tasks frequently fall onto the shoulders of entry level employees. – less

I actually had a wonderful, supportive direct supervisor who wanted our feedback and input. She even would carry cases when someone was out sick (if she wasn't out sick herself), or there were no MHTs to actually carry them. Going further up the ladder, not so much. I actually liked most of my coworkers, and most of us could relate to one another because – more... they were going through the same struggles you were involving the job. Most of my families were pretty okay as well, at least the ones appropriate for the program because they definitely admitted some that didn't belong in an in-home services therapy program but in a long-term intensive psychiatric setting.

The job was 50+ hrs/week (usually more) and expect at least 10hr work days. Yes, there is flexibility, but it is at the cost of your work-life balance (which does not exist). I am an organized, driven person, but this job will break even the strongest person.

When I was hired, I was naive and innocent about the job (even though right after I accepted the job I found online job reviews like this). I moved thinking it would be okay... I was wrong. You are constantly questioned by upper management, put into dangerous situations risking your personal safety, driving 6hrs round trip to attend 1hr meetings, having your ability questioned when treatment goals aren't met due to intensive client barriers (ex youth has run away and location is unknown, parent who triggers child despite constant AND repeated methods and techniques NOT to do so, etc), and more.

In the end, even after I gave them my notice (more than 2weeks because I wanted another therapist for my families ASAP if possible), they were still trying to give me new clients to open because we still showed "open" census spots. All the MHTs were doing a minimum of 15 sessions/week and were still getting new cases! Another MHT would not be hired because the census did not "support" it.

I never took a sick day and only 2 vacation days in the whole 10 1/2 months I worked there. I would go into work despite head-splitting, nauseating migraines because to miss and then make up your work was worse than that. Because unless you took off a whole week or even had a partial week due to holidays or training, you were still expected to complete ALL your sessions and notes within the regular time frame. If I could not reschedule a missed or no-show session (or if the family was just really that busy), you will be expected to make them up over the weekend. I put my foot down with my direct supervisor about our families needing personal time as well, so that issue wasn't really pushed on me with her.

I could go on and on about all the different cons of the position and job, bit hopefully this should give you an idea. – less

Each day is a different day. Expect the unexpected. I have definitely learned patience. Youth Villages provides a family-like environment for its workers as well as the youth they serve.

It's great depending on how great you are with self-control and children.

You are expected to be completely flexible to your clients and bend over backwards regardless of the effort that the client's are putting into the program. Your typical days are usually working 10-12 hours per day. I learned that it's expected that you have a work home balance but it's almost impossible until you put your foot down and make it that – more... way. Co-workers can be sneaky and conniving and will turn anything around to make their selves look good to move up to the management ladder. Management is trained to act a certain way even if they know its not right and forget that they were once in your shoes as a lower level worker. The hardest part of the job includes the stress, going above and beyond for the families at all times no matter what, being on call to families 24-7, and the redundant paperwork. The most enjoyable part of the job includes your few success stories and being able to work from home when possible. – less

Great company but the sixteen hour shift are crazy. Working with the kids will keep joy in your eyes

The company has a great mission statement. Their beliefs and goals are right on target. The actual outcome is far from where it needs to be. An audit should be done on their actual practices involving kids. It is a shame they have contracts with the state to provide the services to kids they provide.
They expect employees to do the work of two or more – more... people and complain when it can not be done. If you speak up and voice concerns, they will find grounds to let you go.
They depend on fresh out of college staff members that are unaware of how a work place should be ran. You will be used and abused.
The only rewarding aspect was the difference you can make in a child's life. This experience will be limited. In order to make the difference you will not be able to complete all they want done in a week. It is more important the paperwork reflect that you have accomplished something rather than actually accomplishing something that would benefit a child. The profit for the non-profit is really the main thing that over rides "The child comes first". – less

It was a good place to learn about working with difficult populations. The best part was watching the individuals understand something. The hardest part was dealing with the behaviors. The co-workers were normally pretty good.

The organization's culture is focused properly and communicated well. The teams within the company work well together and everyone understands the level of work everyone else puts into their jobs. This creates a high level of commitment and, potentially, satisfaction. Youth Villages also does a great job of launching people into their careers. They – more... pride themselves on being able to prepare people for other fields and companies. – less

Working here is like a crash course in basically everything. The work is hard and rewarding. Pay is competitive for the field. This is not a 9-5 type job unless you work in one of the residential facilities. Expect to work evenings, occasional weekends. My primary problem is that after working for YEARS here, they continue to pull the rug from under – more... me and change my position constantly. – less

really enjoyed working with the girls. Enjoyed working with my co worker.

Working with offenders is okay and can be therapeutical to children that needed helps to leave a fulfilled live.

Youth Villages is a great company to work for and develop your craft as a counselor. The benefits are amazing and having the option to maintain a flexiable schedule is a plus. The most enjoyable part of my job is helping youth become successful and watching them reach their highest potential. The hardest part about the job is getting in the groove of – more... learning all of the required paperwork. – less

I work with a team of five people. Each day of work we have pre- shift meetings in order to discuss schedule's for the youth, treatment plans, and daily duties. The most challenging part of the job are the long hours and some of the youth's displayed behaviors. The most enjoyable part of my job is helping a child succeed in their treatment.