direct support specialist

family support coordinator

librarian

facilitator

direct support professional

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region

Extend-A-Family is a fabulous organization to work for. It really does feel like an extended family where everyone is willing to help out another person in need.
There are many different programs and work opportunities offered through EAF. The work I do is encompassed under Special Service at Home. A coordinator will match me up to different families needed someone to assist with their exceptional family member. Once in a contract with that family, I will work towards the social, academic, personal, or life skill goals that the family has for the person in need.
Seeing progress in your client is hard work but also the most rewarding aspect of this job. It takes a lot of patience, innovation, and a caring personality.

Throughout my time working at EAFWR I have come to see many reasons to seek employment elsewhere. Coordinators and Managers are extremely disconnected from the reality that direct support persons and the people being supported face. There have been many times where coordinators would not respond to important emails and were unreachable. Leadership at this company does the bare minimum and will have their support persons overworked and underpaid. Prepare to not be compensated well for your time and fail to meet the needs of the community. Company is also unreasonable with in person work and will not accommodate remote work. Working at EAFWR will make you miserable and burnt out like the rest of the leadership. 

Great agency to work with. Great resources and opportunities at the entry level. Poor opportunities to advance at a management level. I was not given the opportunity to advance into a manangement position, eventhought, I had the backgrpund, cultural competence I had because of my educational, cultural and experience background acquired through my studies, degrees and experience as a License Mental Health clinician and with a second language beside being completely fluently, writing, listening and speaking two languages.

Worked for this company for one summer while taking my nursing course at Trent University.
I was a one-on-one worker with 2 individuals (not at the same time).  One had Acardi Syndrome, and had seizures frequently.  I provided basic care, kept her from hurting herself when seizing, and took her out for fresh-air when favourable.
The second individual was an epileptic ADHD teenager, whom I had 5 days a week.  Most days we went to Extend-A-Family day camp, and I worked with her to be as involved in the camp activities as possible.  Over the summer I got to know what she enjoys, and was able to plan enjoyable activities for her for the days she didn't have camp.

I really enjoyed working with my clients and their families, however I found there was very little supervision or contact from managers after the hiring, training, and client matching process was completed. I worked there for over a year and never once heard from my manager to check in on how things were going, etc. When I sent an email with a question and concern related to my work with a client,  I received an “out of office” automated response, and my email was never replied to. The organization and its mission are great, as are the clients, but the management style and resulting lack of supervision and support of staff members could definitely be improved upon.

EAFWR is an amazing place to work because it is person-centered when it comes to the people that we support. Staff are always available to assist with any concerns or issues you are having and they value us as employees. Health and wellness is promoted and they understand that staff need to feel physically and emotionally healthy in order to provide optimal support to those we connect with. The job is super rewarding and the organization is very passionate when it comes to inclusion. I could not recommend EAFWR more!!!

A typical day at work would include going to my clients house and play a variety of games with her. These games would help her develop her physically and mentally so she would be able to carry on her life as independently as possible. This job has a very flexible time line that will fit both my employer and myself's schedules perfectly. The hardest part of this job would be trying to engaging my client when she is cranky and unresponsive to the activity at hand. And the most enjoyable part of this job is making my client laugh and have a great time.

A fun loving environment, you know you are part of a winning team that truly care about those who help them, and care about their support workers. A typical day of work is fun filled, surprises all around, I learn so much, and continue to learn as each day passes. The hardest part of the job is saying goodbye for the day, but the new day is only a few hours away, the best part of the job is those who I help, they make the day special.

I enjoyed working for EAF; however, I found that there was a lack of communication between DSP and supervisor. There would be months where no one checked in. I understand most communication is done with the person/family you support; however, it would be helpful for coordinators to check-in with their workers. Unfortunately, this job is not one that will maintain someone financially as you would have to pick up multiple contracts to make enough money to live off the income.

Given the opportunity to explore my education and interests while working here has offered me a lot of flexibility. EAFWR is a great place to work and recognizes that I am a community member, a contributing citizen and have a lot to offer beyond my day-to-day tasks.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Direct support specialist 3 salaries reported	$22.99 per hour
Family support coordinator 2 salaries reported	$31.33 per hour
Librarian 4 salaries reported	$18.28 per hour
Facilitator 2 salaries reported	$26.67 per hour
Direct support professional 1 salary reported	$22.41 per hour

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