DMH employees take to the capitol
A team of DMH employees who work in our state hospitals participated in a member led legislative activity with one message - "DMH management is moving without you!"On April 9, employees from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) lobbied and testified before the Assembly Budget Sub-Committee 1 (Health and Human Services) regarding the rapid transition of DMH to the Department of State Hospitals.
DMH teachers and nurses pointed out that DMH has moved unilaterally to cut costs with little thought to patient outcomes and overall safety. Committee members asked the Department some tough questions regarding their plan to layoff teachers and commented on the poor communication between management and their employees.
"It was obvious that legislators knew something was wrong with this picture," said John Ketcham, an adult education teacher at Coalinga State Hospital. "The Committee urged DMH to consider the consequences of laying off teachers who are so vital to the state's rehabilitation system."
DMH employees have been present during each step of the transition process. They continue to demand for a more collaborative process between DMH management and staff. The decision on DMH's budget will be decided over the next few months as the entire state budget is negotiated in the Legislature. It is important that this kind of member participation continues in order to influence the Legislature to take action.
DMH employees have been present during each step of the transition process. They continue to demand for a more collaborative process between DMH management and staff. The decision on DMH's budget will be decided over the next few months as the entire state budget is negotiated in the Legislature. It is important that this kind of member participation continues in order to influence the Legislature to take action.