Pros
Alliance is a government agency that acts as the insurance company for the uninsured and those with Medicaid needing Mental Health and Substance Use services in Durham, Wake, Johnston and Cumberland counties in NC. Public Sector agency that is true to its mission - To improve the health and well-being of the people we serve by ensuring highly effective, community-based support and care. I love working at Alliance because of my coworkers and colleagues! They are incredibly passionate about people. From Wellness programs internally to volunteer opportunities (called Alliance Cares) and community education activities that strive to increase awareness and decrease stigma. Leadership is focused on navigating Alliance and what I think is a unique and highly effective public managed care system through constant change and threats to the public system. They constantly advocate for those we serve and could serve if the State legislators would stop cutting state funding for the uninsured. Great health benefits. Participation in the local Government retirement system (a pension!) employer contributions to my retirement account and 401k. Fun! The HR Dept and ODL department focus on employee engagement, employee learning opportunities, career development, leadership academies.... While they can’t make everyone happy, there is a huge focus on employees at Alliance. Appreciation and respect for those we serve. The people we serve are uninsured or on Medicaid, a lot are involved in multiple public systems (criminal, DSS, foster care,..) homeless, have developmental disabilities, are food insecure, and have no transportation. Alliance employees come to the organization already with an appreciation of these struggles, or like me, learn through out training opportunities and employees the stigma and difficulty people have just getting the care they need. Focus in Supportive Housing! Alliance invests in housing for those that need it the most! You cant get better or recover when you have no home!! Employees are smart, they make you bring your A game! I could go on, but check their website and Alliance Behavioral Healthcare on facebook.
Cons
This is hard work. With constant changes at the state level and reduced funding for the uninsured, its hard to keep the momentum up. Some of our State reps and senators want to privatize our business, handing it over to big insurance companies . Their interest are purely financial outcomes and not human outcomes.