The quality of Wildwood is dependent on the caring and dedication of our amazing staff. Attracting quality staff has been very challenging at Wildwood, as with most employers, over the past year. Virus outbreaks and quarantines among staff have exacerbated that shortage. I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on our efforts in this area.
Our full-time recruiter works closely with hiring managers to ensure that applicants are moved quickly through our process and hired into the programs that are the best fit for them. We have streamlined the hiring process to make it as easy as possible for people to apply for positions. The rest of our dedicated human resources staff work closely with training and our hiring managers to ensure a smooth onboarding process, a successful orientation and on-going check-ins during the first 90 days of employment.
We continue to participate in job fairs and community hiring activities, and hold our own on-site hiring events. Our advertising efforts include a wide variety of online platforms and social media sites. Many of you probably saw our campaign with CDTA, targeting buses and bus stops. We recently added signs to our Wildwood transportation vehicles to utilize their presence all over the area and a new radio commercial aired recently.
Our most significant effort has been re-structuring our compensation system to Experience Based Compensation. Now, instead of a single starting rate regardless of previous experience, new hires for direct support positions will be paid based on their prior relevant experience and education. Our current staff have had their rates adjusted to the new pay scale as well!
We are always looking for great DSPs, and at this time are particularly needing those interested in our Day Programs. As individuals have returned to Day Programs from the height of the pandemic, we've had an increasing need for staff at both site based Day Habilitation and WOW. Some of our residential programs are also quite short-staffed. We are focusing on making it a priority to get these programs as fully staffed as possible.
How can you help? Our best source of great hires continues to be referrals from employees and families! Wildwood is a great place to work. If you know someone who would be a great fit, let them know how person-centered our organization is, and what a welcoming culture we have here. We offer great rates and cover 90% of our employees' health care costs. We also have per diem and part-time opportunities. Experience is not as important as having a caring attitude and a desire to make a difference in someone's life. Wildwood will provide the training, the support and the attention so that everyone who works here can be a success. Wildwood is a wonderful place for caring people to find a home and a career.
Please reach out if you have any questions.