PEF: Members put public’s needs first


Story and photo by SHERRY HALBROOK When it comes to helping


developmentally disabled New Yorkers and protecting them from abuse, PEF members are a big part of the solution. They are not the problem. That was the message PEF President Ken


Brynien and Executive Board member Ed Snow delivered in June to state Assembly committees looking into reports recently published in The New York Times of abuses and neglect in some facilities and programs for these very vulnerable citizens. Brynien made it clear, “The union’s job is


not to protect ‘bad actors,’ but to make sure everyone’s rights are protected.” As the news articles reported, Brynien


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said, sometimes PEF members and other state employees who attempted to report abuse and neglect found the system punished them, instead of the abusers. Brynien, a


psychologist, and Snow, a program manager, said they both have worked at what is now called the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for more than 25 years, and have found the vast majority of employees to be selfless, dedicated, caring and compassionate. “The articles have cast suspicion on all


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environment where situations of abuse and neglect are more likely to occur. Inadequate numbers of direct-care staff leads to multiple, consecutive overtime shifts, burnout, poor judgment and, in rare cases, client neglect or abuse.” Snow said he wanted “to tell you about a


whole spectrum of good, kind-hearted, dedicated people who come to work every day, not to abuse people, but to try to make their lives richer and fuller, similar to what most of the people in this room take for granted every day. “I was deeply disturbed by the NY Times


article,” Snow said. “I was disgusted any OPWDD employees could treat another human being with such contempt. I was upset the public would think all OPWDD programs are unsafe and all OPWDD employees are monsters.” Assembly Mental


TIMESARE CHANGING—Executive Board Member Ed Snow and PEF President Ken Brynienmake headway with lawmakers at a hearing inAlbany about care for developmentally disabled individuals.


Health Committee Chair Felix Ortiz asked Brynien about the best ways to intervene and change attitudes that accept neglect or abuse. “I’ve seen that


changing the


OPWDD employees, painting the overwhelming majority of conscientious employees with the same dirty brush as the few unscrupulous offenders. Any employee – state or private, direct-care, or upper management and anyone in between – who has perpetrated such offenses should be disciplined and, if appropriate, terminated or prosecuted. If you are found guilty, you shouldn’t be doing this work,” Brynien said. “However, in any disciplinary proceedings, as in a court of law, employees must be provided the appropriate due process.” “Unfortunately, following the


Elmira www.pef.org


administrative shake-ups at OPWDD and at the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, the proposed responses (to abuse and neglect) have focused on finding and punishing employees who are suspected of client abuse,” Brynien said. “We need effective intervention to prevent abuse, not just punish it. “Short-staffing and deprofessionalization of the work force have contributed to an


environment can affect the culture,” Brynien said, citing how providing more interesting and stimulating surroundings and activities can inspire better and more hopeful attitudes in both employees and the people they serve. Assembly Oversight Committee Chair


Jonathan Bing said he was frustrated that mandating the report of abuses could trigger over-reporting and overload the system with the need to investigate everything. He asked how they could draft a law that would make it clear what is and isn’t abuse and make it easier to take effective action. “I’m looking to labor to help us clean this


up,” said Assembly Member Harvey Weisenberg, who pointed out that many developmentally disabled people cannot speak or communicate what has happened to them. “I’d like to partner with you,” Brynien


responded. “I’m looking for ways to make systemic


changes to allow more input from employees about what’s wrong and how to change it,” said Assembly Member Thomas Abinanti. “We’d love that. It’s what we ask for all the time,” Brynien said.


The Communicator July-August 2011—Page 13


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