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Length of stay...
momof10 Jan 2 2006, 08:13 AM Post #1
How long have you worked at your current job as a houseparent?
We just visited a facility and the most senior set of houseparents have only
been there for 2 years which I found to be very telling of the organization.
How long has the most senior set of houseparents been in your facility?
We have 14 sets of houseparents right now and 3-4 have been there for over 6
years, 5 for 5 and I think 3 or more for over 3 years. I credit it to the 7
days on/7 days off schedule.
nmmommy Jan 2 2006, 09:35 AM Post #2
Our first official day of work at this home is tomorrow. There are 4 other sets
of houseparents besides us. One has been here 5 years. The others have been
here between 6 months to about 2 years. There was a change in administration a
few years ago and there were some major changes made. We plan to be here at
least 2 years.
Now, at the other home we were at, we only stayed 6 months. We were lied to
about many things there and I had a health issue come up and was not able to
deal with the health issue and work at that place too.
webmaster Jan 2 2006, 11:11 AM Post #3
We have been at our current position for almost 7 years. There is a relief
staff lady that has been here 35 years. Two sets of houseparents that have been
here 13 years. Two sets that have been here 4 years. And two that have been
here two years. One of the 4 years sets is looking at returning to full time
pastoring, however they have no definite date as to when they would be leaving.
I attribute the longevity to the very family like environment and type of
childcare here.
Our first position we worked at for almost 2 years. It was a B-mod program in
Wyoming. The average stay for houseparents there was about 6 months. The old
timers were there for almost 5 years.
Our second position we lasted 5 months. They fired the Executive Director 4
days before we arrived and the new one and I didn't get along so well. The home
had for cottages and 5 sets of houseparents. The home became fully staffed when
we arrived, but two other sets of houseparents resigned on the same day that we
did (including the senior houseparents). It was almost 4 years before that home
became fully staffed again, long after they fired the director that ran all of
us off.
Lady Incredible Jan 14 2006, 03:05 PM Post #4
We have currently been at our facility for 8 years and we've seen too many
couples come and go in that time to count.
sandylegsntoes Jan 17 2006, 05:26 PM Post #5
The senior houseparents have been here 13 months. The program started as an
experimental one.
The other houseparents have been here for about 10 months.
We been here for 3 months.
The boss that hired me quit three weeks after we arrived...may have been due to
growing weary of the destruction of hurricanes.
notopher Feb 1 2006, 07:39 AM Post #6
There is a corelation between Length of stay and the way the agency runs
everything. Where I work now we have rc's that have been here for 13+ years. I
have been here 3 years. We had in the last year some that retired that have
been here as many as 15-20 years. Some that were in cottages for 10+ years have
been moved to supervisory roles. Our place always looks to promote from with in
first then hire in second. Remember the avg length of stay in this industry is
about 8 months.
sandylegsntoes Feb 2 2006, 10:43 PM Post #7
The longer I am on the job, it is clear that it would not be the kids that
cause me to leave, it would be the houseparents.
Mortar Feb 10 2006, 03:16 AM Post #8
We have been here for almost two years and we are among the senior house
parents. Average here is about 6 months. I think for this particular facility
it is a combination of factors. The admin is great to work with and supportive
but they almost exclusively hire singles and work the houses in shift work.
Most staff commute 50 to 60 miles a day due to the location of the facility.
Most of the people I have seen come and go though shared one thing in common,
they had unrealistic expectations. Quite a few were college age and just
thinking they could chill, shoot some hoops and all would be well. Others were
only here until they could find another job paying more with less hours. The
ones that have stuck around the longest are the ones that built relationships
not only with the kids, but with the other houseparents and staff. If it feels
like home people are gonna be reluctant or at least think twice before heading
for greener pastures.
If I could change something here that would cut the turn over by at least 50%
it would be this facilities screening and hiring. We would stay if they could
only be more acomadating to married couples. My fiance and I love the people,
pay and kids. Just the daily 50 mile drive once I move out as a single house
parent and get married, work a 16 hour shift and drive another 50 is a little
past my comfort level. I still don't know why they refuse to hire couples to
live in.
It sounds like everyplace is different.
putkidsfirst Feb 19 2006, 07:38 AM Post #9
14 years
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