Arrowleaf- Harming the human services field by burning out employees - Crisis Engagement Specialist and Crisis Operator Arrowleaf Employee Review

I am former Crisis Engagement Specialist of 11 months with Arrowleaf. I came to Arrowleaf after experiencing an abusive, Narcissistic supervisor at Guardian Family Services in Metropolis. My supervisors at Arrowleaf balked at my treatment while working for Guardian Family Services. I was assured I was walking into a healthy environment that would foster my growth. I was provided with GLOWING reviews for Arrowleaf and their employee asst program. I was assured I would receive timely mental health care as employees do not wait on the waitlist like clients. I waited 3 months after a referral was placed to the psychiatrist until I finally had an appointment. Many of the employees providing direct services suffer with their own mental health which gets pushed under the rug by management because time off for your own wellbeing isn't do-able since there is no employee retention when it comes to those of us providing direct services. Arrowleaf will train you well, set you up for failure with an obscene caseload and billing requirements that were created for larger cities serving more clients. When you didnt meet those requirements, you recieved a disipline. Arrowleaf will push you to the absolute edge with their manadatory (bit they say you are volunteering) 24 hour crisis shifts in addition to your 40 hours a week. Now let's see, when I started, it was 4 or 5 crisis days a month. In the end, I was working 11 or MORE 24 hour crisis holine shifts each month in addition to my 40 hours. his was of course due to their continued issue with being able to retain the employees in direct services. At least you are getting your wage for those volunteer crisis days right? 😅 No! You will receive a stipend for each crisis shift whether spent 10 hpurs at the er with a crisis client, or you answered 2 phone calls. This way they arent paying you for overtime because you are most definitely working over 40 hpurs a week. After taxes, that 50 doesnt make a dent. And your regular wage is no better. I personally shared with my supervisors and my Arrowleaf psychiatrist that I was experiencing my own suicidal ideation and developed a plan. This was dismissed. That's when I became a liability and disposable. I was no longer employed with them by the end of that week. I have struggled with my own mental health the majority of my life. I am a recovering addict. I have survived two suicide attempts. After working for a toxic, narcissistic boss at Guardian Family Services, I was in desperate need of a healthy, encouraging, and inclusive environment. I heard all about the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) program, free mental health- (I still have a bill I received for 10 dollars- write it off Arrowleaf) I was told I would not have to wait to see a counselor or the agency psychiatrist as the mental health of their team was of the utmost importance. I waited 2 months to receive an appointment with the psychiatrist. During this time, I was not quiet about the chronic suicidal ideation I was experiencing. I was honest about how I was feeling when asked in my weekly staffings. I was told by my supervisor that Arrowleaf wanted me to feel safe and supported during this time. I did not receive any time off for my own well being until I called my supervisor one Monday morning and explained that I felt overwhelming anxiety over the thought of stepping foot outside of my house to go to work. I was experiencing anxiety every time my phone went off. I was working my 40 hours a week, while also working 12, one month was 15, days(24 hour shifts) on call for our crisis line. No, you did not receive an hourly wage for this. You received a stipend for each shift. Which fluctuates, but no matter what the stipend is, you are MANDATED to VOLUNTEER for these shifts. Most of the stories are the same. * Abuse of power * Political atmosphere * Mean girls club *Questionable billing practices - Don't you dare question those practices *Questionable ethics * Nepotism * Failure to make reasonable accommodations- for those who they do not feel fit into their group *Cult- like environment When I left the agency and shared my experience on sicial media- I was sent a cease and desist letter from the CEO Sherrie Crabb claiming that I signed a NDA when hired and I was in violation of it and threatened legal action. I later found out from a laid off corporate compliance officer that I indeed NEVER signed that because they forgot to send them out for staff to sign when I still worked there. So after all of this, they made all other current staff sign crazy NDAs and confidentiality policies and in this new policy- they claim current staff cannot engage with former staff. They also accused me of soliciting their employees because the current employees and former employees were reaching out to me. CEO tells others in admin that the Union will agree to whatever she says. Sherrie Crabb is so focused on growth and making new programs ad she has completely neglected the behavioral health program and cannot keep any employees now. The community needs this agency and its services, but I see the CEO running it into the ground due to her unethical policies and toxic mean girl group.