OHS Driving Under the Influence DUI Program

I have a few reasons for posting three stars, this is my first time writing a review on Unilocal but I am hoping that OHS will see this and take into consideration some of my gripes.
Pros
1) Enrolling and introduction.
This process was very simple and straight forward. The lady that help me out was able to answer all my questions and made my stressful situation very easy. The introduction class was very straight forward and helped line out the whole process.
2) Instructors.
Some of the instructors are very helpful, knowledgeable and are open minded. I feel that Rene and Tony are very great at what they do and really want to help the people that have to attend their class.
I wish I could have made the Pros list a bit longer but I do not feel that there is anything else I could really say is great about this place.
Cons
1) Staffing
I feel that they are very short staffed. When I had any questions in between my classes and called my counselor or main office I was never able to get ahold of someone. I would leave a message and would get a call back normally 3 Days later. Great that they gave me a call back but I feel that 3 days is a bit excessive.
2) Payments
When you have to pay any fees, such as when you reschedule a class, you have to ask your counselor before or after class to pay. With this they do not know how much you owe. You have to make sure you keep a good record of what fees you have and how much you owe. If you are even a dollar off you can be charged a $ 25 late fee. A way to avoid this is by calling into the main office to pay but they rarely answer their phone (they never answered their phone when I called but it may have just been bad timing for me) and call you back normally 3 days later.
3) Rescheduling Fee
Unfortunately, I had to reschedule a few classes due to starting a new job. If you have to reschedule any class there is a $ 25 fee. I can understand that they do not want people missing class but we do have lives outside of this course. I can see if someone is missing classes excessively but for someone that has to reschedule once or twice and reschedules for another class in the same week, I do not believe that they should have to pay $ 25 each time. Yes, I made a mistake and part of my punishment is having to attend this course. With that I have already paid a large amount in court, lawyer and other fees and do not have a savings anymore to pay for unjustified fees. I lost my last job due to the DUI and needed a new job to survive, with starting a new job I do not have the room to ask for time off when I just started. I believe I am not the only person in this position hence the reason I brought it up.
4) Instructor Bias
I understand that instructors use their own personal experiences and bias as to teach a class but they should not bring up their own opinions in social racial injustices and bring them across in their teachings as facts. I only had one instructor do that in a class, which created an anti-​police atmosphere in the classroom I feel. He also brought across his opinion that Blacks and Hispanics are being unjustifiably singled out by our judicial system. I AM NOT TRYING TO BE BIAS IN THIS COMMENT, I AM NUTRUAL IN THE SUBJECT. I believe this topic should be kept out of the classroom unless they are willing to dedicate a solid, informative and educated discussion on the topic. As this subject has many different topics, stats, opinions and so forth. Also, If it matters at all, I am Hispanic and am the first generation in the United States, with majority of my family born in Mexico, so I feel that I do have a stake in the subject.
5) Repetitive
The courses are informative but it seems that they only have a hand full of presentations. The Anger Management presentation was shown three times during my 3 month course. I understand that there are a limited amount of courses but I feel they should have a bit more courses as we only go in 4 times a month.
These are my main concerns with the course and I hope this will help OHS improve their program.

I’m currently finishing up my 3 month program for first time offenders.
5 stars for Keith!
«Yes indeedy!»
«Before ya do the clapping, ya betta get to know them first»
Here are some rules to live by in education class (once per week):
1. Know your exits. If the front is blocked off, go through the back.
2. Pay your fees on time.
3. Be on time.
4. What’s said in here stays in here. «If you’re going to gossip, tell yo own stuff; it’s juicer and more accurate».
5. Participate.
6. No sleeping.
7. Respect other’s opinions.
8. Only one person to the bathroom at a time.
9. No food or drinks. Clear water bottles only.
10. Wear appropriate attire.
11. No leaving the building after you enter.
12. No cell phones.
13. No profanity. Little words turn into big words, which turn into sentences.
14. Do not come intoxicated and/​or under the influence.
TIP#1: 50−75% first time offenders become second time offenders. Make the right choices and learn the first time around.
TIP#2: If you’re even a minute late, you will not be let into the classroom, will have to do a makeup, and pay a $ 25 fee. Keith likes me, so he was nice enough to let me slide one time when I came in at 7:01pm.
3 face to face interviews: These only last 10 – 15 minutes so they’re chill!
5 group meetings with my counselor Lisa: I find these much more enjoyable and interactive than education!

If I could give zero stars, I would. Never in my life, in this country at least, have I encountered such a poorly-​run and unprofessional organization. Were it not some pseudo-​public governmental entity it would have completely gone under due to a completely lack of competency, business ethics, responsibility, and breach of contract. Though I rarely write reviews, this one I take the time to write as a cautionary tale: DO NOT GIVE YOUR MONEY TO THIS PROGRAM. yes, arriving there you are humble and shamed and just want the problem to go away. OHS takes advantage of this and starts out with a no nonsense attitude that makes you feel in capable hands. After that initial confidence, everything goes to pot. Important sessions you must attend are scheduled but when people show up, lo and behold, it has been cancelled! Which is no easy fix for people who don’t drive. Once or twice would be understandable, but this was often monthly or even more frequently. Get it together guys! No normal business could operate with this kind of behavior. Fees paid are mysteriously lost, as the counselors themselves warned us, and sensitive paperwork was constantly being sent to wrong addresses. Dates for groups change without notification. Somedays you’ll go down for a scheduled meeting and building will just be locked. Obviously many of us were frustrated with this lack of propriety and I heard several more outgoing complainer shut down with condescending shame by counselor Renee who basically told them they couldn’t complain as they’re the bad guys with duis. I believe the exact line was, «oh we’re bad? Well you got yourself a DUI!» Frankly UNETHICAL treatment of subjects in a clinical environment and utter unprofessional unconscionable behavior by said counselor. This program has frustrated me greatly for nearly 2 years, but I put my head down, suffered it silently, and just awaited the day it would be history. Alas, OHS has managed to screw that up too!!! They were a month late sending my letter of completion to the dmv and when they did send it, it lacked all kinds of important info and the dmv voided it. Bravo! OHS, this is the only thing you need to get right, you’re paid for it, you do it often, and you still screw it up??? Which will cost me who knows how much time and phone calls and red tape to fix this debacle.
Yes, this review voices a lot of personal frustration, but my experience was by no means unique. People need to know what’s going on at this place. After a DUI you are scared and confused and ready to listen to whomever might have the solution. Do not get taken in by OHS and your solution.