When I graduated from college this past spring I knew that finding a job in my field (professional counseling) during this economic crisis would be more than difficult. So, when I stumbled across a listing for a position titled Community Support Therapist with an organization called The Potters House in Stone Mountain, Georgia I applied. A few weeks later they offered me the opportunity of interviewing with them, which is when it all began. It was determined that this place was dishonest from the moment their director introduced herself and said, Hello. Firstly, during the interview she mentioned that The Potters House was a thriving organization that helped children in crisis and that many of the children were coming from dfcs scenarios. She further mentioned that the company was also growing and in need of many more Community Support Therapist. She asked what my salary requirements were and I answered. The following day I was offered another salary ($27,000.00) and the position. I accepted. When I arrived it was an orientation day for many new employees. This seemed to go along with the concept that they were growing so I did not question the number of therapist. However, during our orientation you could hear one of the personnel yelling through the walls at a child that had been disorderly. I silently questioned the tactic because of how abusive it seemed. We were all given our orientation booklets but it was explained that if we left the company we would have to return them, else be charged for the booklet. No problem I thought. She also took the time to explain our salary breakdown and that we would be paid every 10th and 25th. Four days later it was explained to us during a meeting that we worked by the unit and that if we did not complete our paperwork properly we would not be paid, which is not $27,000 as mentioned prior. It was also later determined that our positions where not Community Support Therapist but Community Support Individuals (CSI) and that it was far from the description listed. I was not so much bothered with the lie about our actual title being CSI but being expected to work 125 units during the first week without training with 1 unit being equal to 15 minutes of time spent with the child (consumer) or their parent/guardian and/or teacher (collateral) via phone or personal contact was a bit much. This situation was particularly difficult consider the fact that school season was about to begin and 125 units were still expected. Now, why am I calling The Potters House a Cash Cow? Simply answered: it is! They receive free services from their CSIs because they never or rarely pay them. I worked there three weeks and only received $198.00 (and I was one of the lucky ones).in addition to this situation they do not reimburse for cell phone services, gas expenses or doctors expenses for required test to work there even though they state that they do. Likewise, they threaten to fire CSIs who do not perform well within the second week and there are CSIs who had not been paid for 3 weeks or more. Think about it. They dont pay for gas, activities, services rendered or doctors fees but are paid via Medicaid. The Potters House does nothing but gain money at the expense of the children and CSIs. Now, that is just one side of my concern. The other is in reference to the safety of the children. As I mentioned earlier they explained that they wanted each CSI to get a TB testing for the safety of the children and that they would pay for these services but do not. So, it is very certain that not all CSIs will actually spend their own money to complete this task; nor, does human resources (which is one person) follow-up to see if you have actually gone to their doctors. Additionally, it is expected that each CSI carry the children off in their cars by the second day. Certainly they would want you to meet with the childs parent/guardian first. No, they just want you to bill for time spent and expect 125 units per week.in fact, it was explained that if you are at the offices you are not working and that each CSI should be out with their children. I question if The Potters House actually does background checks on their personnel because they do not follow-up on anything. For example, when received my only paycheck they listed me as single with 4 dependents even though I am married with no children. Because they are so poor at checking the correctness of issues with their CSIs it is certain that one day they are likely to hire a more unsavory character and this situation concerns me. On another day I was asked to shadow one of their better CSIs the first day I was there. She gathered two of her children, placed them into a more than junky car and drove them to a nearby park. Once we arrived at the park she determined that it was too hot to sit outside; so, she asked the children to go play with other children already there from the facility and then left. Yes, she abandoned the children yet took the time to explain how to bill for this time. Huh? How was that therapeutic? One day I was typing one of my bills but could not find one of the childrens Medicaid numbers. I was asked to go the lobby and ask the receptionist. So, I wrote the childs name on a post it not and said, I need this consumers Medicaid number. She simply began stating the childs number aloud in a room full of clients. Now I ask you: How is this lack of regard for the childs personal information keeping the consumers confidentiality? The children even pose a danger to each other. There are crisis cases that are not as severe then others, yet they are all placed together. I have seen children with adjustment disorders placed with children who are extremely violent, which in itself is placing these children in additional crisis (i.E., black-eyes and bruises). Sadly, there have been stories of children who have been molested by other children at the facility and even though these children have been asked to leave the damage is done. I only mention this because I feel that this place should be investigated before they consider growing. It is sad that The Potters House takes advantage of their CSIs but it is egregious that they care nothing about the children, their confidentiality, their needs or their safety. Something must be done!
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