I will share with you what I have learned. If you apply for any agency that touts themselves as being the best agency in the area or top agency in the area, run. Run as fast as you can. After my employment with Focus, not one person I have spoken to has even heard of this agency. They are the only agency that I have come across that does a virtual orientation, all other agencies require in person training for at least 2 weeks and as much as 4 weeks, with the exception of one other agency. This does not include shadowing once your core training is done. Other agencies require, at the minimum, at least between 1-2 full weeks of shadowing. This gives you and the individual that you are working with time to pair. Pairing is a part of the ABA protocol. This does not include additional training throughout the year. All other companies require at the minimum, that you must be CPR and First Aide certified and is included in their in person trainings. When working with individuals on the autism spectrum and with I/DD this should be a mandatory training with no exceptions. Training is vague to say the least depending on the Program Manager once in the field. From my experience, this agency currently hires mediocre staff for individuals that need exceptional staff. I am not saying that all of their staff is mediocre as that's not true but I did come across individuals that should not be working with any individuals that have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and/or I/DD. This company does have cliques and you could be on the outside looking in which is problematic, mostly in upper management. As long as you don't complain you won't have any problems. Suggestions are not welcomed with this company.
