Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time talking to university students about what I do and what my company, Community Integrated Services or CIS, does. Although higher education attracts some of the best and brightest, many students are either misinformed or uninformed about community care. And that’s a problem.
Not only does our industry need the considerable skills that undergraduates offer, but it also offers a range of teaching and preparatory skills that enables students to understand their field in a more rounded way. And work in a community care facility also allows students to gain valuable experience that can be used to obtain jobs in their field of study.
Let’s start with a definition. A community care facility is any place or building maintained and operated to provide nonmedical residential care. At Community Integrated Services (CIS), our community care program is designed to serve the developmentally disabled, focusing on caring for individuals who also have a history of serious behavioral issues.
Why has the Community Care Approach Become More Prevalent?
CIS has expanded by 1800% since its founding 18 years ago. Our agency is growing quickly for a few different reasons. First, Americans are getting better at recognizing the need for places like CIS. In the past, developmentally disabled people with behavioral issues were often sent to asylums. Mismanagement and mistreatment led to the dissolution of these institutions, but they were not immediately replaced with better options. Instead, developmentally disabled individuals with social or behavioral issues were often sent to prison. Correctional facilities were overcrowded and poorly equipped to deal with disabilities, resulting in more mistreatment and high recidivism rates.
Secondly, many states now support agencies like CIS. Instead of incarceration, Washington state courts send some developmentally disabled offenders to CIS’s safe, supportive living environment. Many come to us with a history of severe abuse or homelessness. While some of our clients will always need very close supervision, many thrive in community care. We focus on teaching life skills and helping our clients find better ways to deal with stress and frustration. Clients learn to cook, clean, care for themselves, manage money, and interact positively with others. Many eventually get jobs and earn their own money.
Finally, the kind of community care offered by CIS has become a substantial part of the social safety net. Almost 3 million Americans currently work in community care facilities, and that number is expected to grow by about 11% over the next eight years. Not all community care facilities serve developmentally disabled individuals. Some care for veterans with mental health issues. Others focus on providing care to the elderly experiencing deteriorating mobility, memory, or cognitive abilities. All community care facilities are charged with providing a nurturing and caring living environment, monitoring physical and mental health, and rehabilitation when possible.
Community Care Can Be a Springboard to Other Careers
Community care needs more people. Facilities usually provide training. In fact, CIS offers fully-paid training and professional certification. But many college students avoid these types of jobs because they may be perceived as short-term or not analogous to their long-term career goals. But that’s not always a fair assessment.
Even entry-level positions allow employees to gain experience that is valuable in a wide range of careers. For example, working with disadvantaged populations can be foundational to a successful career in social work, non-profits, government, or public policy.
Transitioning people into community care as an alternative to incarceration often requires interaction with law enforcement, courts, and the penal system. This provides valuable experience for anyone interested in police work, criminal justice, or corrections.
Community care organizations spend a lot of time keeping abreast of government guidelines and social policy. This kind of attention to compliance is good preparation for any job in healthcare or healthcare resources. Community care employees also learn about care plans and bedside manner, which are also necessary for jobs in health.
Finally, working in a community care facility brings employees face to face with educational theory, teaching clients a range of skills and behaviors, and even budgeting. These skills will help anyone considering a career in education or finance.
Doing Well While Doing Good
One of the most attractive aspects of a career in community care is that employees are helping people. It’s easy to see how vital direct report professionals are to clients. And each day reminds employees how much they matter to people in need.
Jobs in community care can provide great emotional rewards. Employees are contributing to the greater social good while also making a difference in the lives of individuals. People who take jobs in community care may find that every day is a little different, but each day reminds them that their work matters and that they are making a difference.
If you’re a Spokane or South King County college student, contact us to explore your job options. It may just be the perfect starting point for your career.