Quick disclaimer: I did work for Easter Seals for 3 years in a management roll. I enjoyed half of it and loathed the other half when I became privy to issues taking place. This is not intended to slander or libel this company by a disgruntled employee. I left on good terms. This is intended to be a warning for anyone that is currently enrolled or thinking about placement with Easter Seals Midwest. This is my experience while working for this entity.
If only this app had a way to hand out negative stars, since this organization is, without a doubt, the absolute worst social services provider I have ever worked for or observed in operation in over ten years in the field. I would sooner lock my family member with disabilities in a closet than entrust this organization with their care.
First, neglect and borderline abuse is rampant, which management turns a blind eye unless they perceive they may be liable for any consequences. Clients are routinely shut in their rooms, their money is their personal and state assistance money is routinely spent on food and items for staff, clients are ignored while staff talk on their phones, watch tv, or even, I've seen it with my own eyes, sleep on the couch.
There is very little oversight or management of employees, which leads to the worst employees running roughshod over the good ones, as the dedicated good hearted staff do not feel able or safe voicing concerns from fear of retaliation, being ignored, or being forced out. That being said, I do believe there are individuals that care a great deal for the clients they serve but are routinely shut out and not promoted or listened to.
The management and marketing team are adept at putting forth their client, person centered care plan; however if guardians and caseworkers were present on a daily basis, I'm not sure this company could continue as they would lose clients left and right. The upper management is only concerned with developing an expansion strategy and brining in more state dollars they can waste with impunity. The self perpetuating,expand at all costs attitude, combined with a total disregard for the shoddy care provided for people with disabilities is horrifying to me and I'm sure others if Easter seals did not do such a good job at propaganda.
Finally, the way this organization treats its workers is abhorrent. Cutting hours, refusing time off requests, and coercion are common managerial practices. Communication is slow and inaccurate at best. Most employees are afraid to advocate for themselves. Staff are not rewarded with raises for years at a time. Easter Seals continues to expand and take on more and more high administrative salaries while the people providing the direct care for the most vulnerable members of our community languish in poverty.
While this may be just one man's opinion, I can assure you that there are people still working for this organization that feel the same way as I do but remain silent over fear of losing their job. All I can say is I was a dedicated and passionate social worker before I worked at Easter Seals and after I cannot stomach the thought of working in the field again at the risk of working for a organization that is at all similar to Easter Seals.
Finally, if you are in a position that you are considering long term residential care for a loved one with disabilities, make sure you shop around. Easter Seals looks great on the outside in their brochures and recruiting material, but once you peel back the top layer, it's a festering cesspool of corporate selfishness and sub standard care. read more
