Pros
I will preface this by saying that I worked as a Mental Health Technician II (Child Care Counselor II when I first began working) on a particularly "difficult" unit dealing with high acuity clients that were frequently physically violent and possessed a limited cognitive capacity. Working to help kids can be highly satisfying. Everyday is a new and interesting challenge that depending on where within KidsPeace you work, can entail a lot of adrenaline-pumping type situations and a great deal of emotionally touching moments. The unit you work on will determine what your co-workers are like, but I have to say the by-and-large the KidsPeace crew is a very diverse and interesting crew. Working in the high stress environment is made possible by the interesting and often times hilarious people you work with. The KidsPeace staff is like a social world unto itself and it's easy to get sucked in (for better or worse). I still keep in contact with many of the people I worked with during my time there. The benefits package is really good.
Cons
I will start off by saying that despite all the times I was verbally attacked, physically assaulted, and had bodily fluids / substances hurled in my direction; the clients were not the biggest "con" of this job. Upper management is WAYYYYY out of touch with the men/women on the ground and in the trenches. The pay is pretty poor for what you are asked to do and they did away with raises. I was supposed to get incremental bonuses at 6 and 12 months of working there. Despite numerous inquiries, I NEVER saw any of these supposed bonuses I was promised (and even signed and agreement for when I was hired). The job leaves you highly vulnerable to liability both legally and physically. As time went on, staff cut backs due to corporate funding issues made the job infuriatingly frustrating. Staff were being put into precarious positions with clients that left them vulnerable to litigation and/or physical harm. I saw one too many co-workers in "[client's] word against yours" situations where KidsPeace left staff to hang out to dry rather rather than providing support. This job involves A LOT of talking with clients and persuading them into participate in treatment or talk them out of causing someone harm / running away etc. I preferred the euphemism "constructive manipulation" because that is essentially what the bulk of this job is if I'm honest. You must think on your feet and be decisive if you are to be successful here while keeping the job in perspective for what it is. The job is not for everyone (especially those with any type of temper) and you must be willing to adapt and leave all judgments and preconceived notions at the door each day. A great deal of your time will be spent diffusing potentially volatile situations through effective communication. That said, physical strength and/or dexterity is a MUST if you want to be considered a well-rounded staff member throughout much of KidsPeace. When the proverbial sh!t hits the fan, people who were competent physically as well as in a communicative role were invaluable in maintaining staff/client safety. On the same token, emotional stability from a staff perspective is a must for this job. Often times you will be working with clients that are trying to push your buttons or physically harm you one moment, and require you to switch gears and provide understanding and empathy the next.-- be prepared for this and leave your baggage at the door. I've seen too many good people lose there heads and let the kids get to them personally with disastrous results for both parties involved.