Too demanding and not enough pay or appreciation - Anonymous employee The Key Program Employee Review

Thank you for taking the time to comment on your experience at the Key Program. Key’s Residential Caseworker (RCW) position involves being a positive role model and mentor to at-risk children and youth living in a group home setting. Yes, staff are involved in activities such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry; however, they are not DOING these activities, they are TEACHING them to children/youth while they supervise, instruct, encourage, and assess each child/youths’ ability to grasp and complete these important daily living skills. Safety of ALL is a first priority and staff supervision of the children/youth is critical; therefore, the proper ratio of staff to clients is never negotiable. There MAY BE situations where a teammate (another RCW or an Assistant Program Supervisor, or a Clinician) may leave the group momentarily to take an important phone call from a DCF social worker or to debrief an incoming staff (and move to a more private area away from the kids) but they will strategically remain in earshot and/or in the line of vision with the group, and they will return as quickly as possible. Key always has and continues to be in full compliance with COVID-19 guidelines from the states of MA and RI as well as the CDC guidance and have provided mandatory on-site COVID surveillance testing. Any staff person experiencing COVID-like symptoms is not allowed to work and is sent home from their shift if they develop symptoms while at work. There is NO situation in which a staff member would be allowed into a program with COVID-like symptoms. Key is an equal opportunity employer and strives to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce at all staff levels. Key’s wage and salary compensation is higher than most human service agencies in our regional areas and Key’s benefit package is both comprehensive and generous offering an excellent health, dental, optical and prescription plan with low co-pays and a low staff contribution. In addition, Key offers educational reimbursement, graduate school scholarships, paid time off, pre-tax childcare, free clinical supervision for licensing, and more. Key’s intensive training and supervision model provides staff with opportunities for growth and advancement within Key or positions them to move on to other human service-type positions within the private or public sector. Working with our at-risk client population can be a challenging job that requires stamina, patience, flexibility, and teamwork. Putting in the work to make a positive difference in the lives of children/youth is an extremely rewarding and honorable career choice, but we understand that it may not be a match for everyone. We thank you for the time that you worked at Key and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.