Paradise Oaks Youth Services

Oct 2022

I’m sorry, but this agency’s upper management failed to protect our youth, or listen to their own dedicated staff members’ wisdom, and as a result there was a tragedy; a loss of life at the location near Hazel and Oak, Orangevale in April of 2020. If we had provided proper staffing at houses, and quality staff who love the children, this would not have happened. If the agency cared enough to hire quality staff, retain them, and if upper management would incorporate morals to promote a loving work environment, and weed out the lazy and contentious staff members who impact the kids and other staff, and hire a sufficient amount of staff, rather than claim that no one wants to work, they could run a actual safe place. This agency is also married to their ideologies, and has an interest in appearing “diverse” but holding biases against those that hold religious values, against men, and against a particular racial group. This agency also allows staff members to push kids into questioning their sexual identity, painting the finger nails of boys for example who otherwise would not, and create obstacles to church attendance and constantly fail to prepare for the weekends, placing all blame and burden of responsibility on line staff to do everything, and blame them for lack of leadership responsibility, and setting up line staff for success. Leadership refuse to make phone calls, so that line staff, which are usually a maximum of two per 6 behaviorally challenged kids, cannot supervise adequately, but worry about endless phone calls to law enforcement, county workers and paperwork. These things leadership ought to do, so that line staff can do their job and supervise the youths!! My only purpose for writing this is so that if you are a county worker considering if POYS is a safe choice, that you would know that the answer is a resounding “NO.” I care too much to say silent of this matter. I chose not to sue this agency for wrongful termination, so that I would not be silenced with a non-disclosure, and so that I would have nothing in my heart against those who do love the kiddos and try so hard. My own life was enriched by my time with amazing youth and staff members. Youth whose potential is infinite, and staff members who’s hearts and lives are dedicated to others.