PEF made great start on new PS&T contract
he PS&T Contract Team secured June 24 and 25 contract negotiation dates with the state, and had been meeting on a regular basis with the state since April. A contract negotiation meeting did occur on June 24, which included a joint exchange of proposals by the state and PEF. As a result, the Contract Team met with me on June 25 to debrief on the June 24 meeting.
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It has become public knowledge that there will be changes to the Contract Team, including replacing Maureen Kellman as the chair. I believe this, in conjunction with the recent PEF election, resulted in no future meeting dates being secured from the state at this time.
I believe it is important that the integrity of the Contract Team be maintained. The contract team I put in place has served you well
and Maureen Kellman’s role as chair is one that is second to none. While Maureen will no longer be part of the contract team, it is important that the work of the contract team she led be known to the membership.
The conceptual proposals that were presented to the state reflect the issues and concerns of PEF members throughout the state. It was important to hear from the members directly and this was accomplished through contract
facilities,” Rock said.
Throughout her testimony, Rock urged the legislators to work with PEF so the state does not relinquish its responsibility to treat children with mental illness, and to keep inpatient psychiatric facilities for those who need and deserve around-the- clock professional care.
Focus on quality care Rock cited facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention such as up to 20 percent of children in the United States suffer from a mental disorder, and that other studies confirm as many as 75 to 85 percent of children in need of mental health services do not receive treatment. “The numbers are humbling. The bottom line is our most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the greatest need are simply falling through the cracks,” Rock said.
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surveys, workshops at last year’s PEF convention, which were all focused on contract issues of the membership, as well as contract pre-negotiation meetings that were held throughout the state to hear from the members directly. At this time, it is imperative that all PEF members fight for the contract they need and deserve. Toward that end, you will be able to find the conceptual proposals that Ms. Kellman and the contract team have presented to the state in the secure section we created on the PEF website known as the “Members Only” zone. These proposals cover economic gain throughout the contract, as well as language to ensure re- professionalization of PEF members and worklife/homelife balance for PEF members.
The Kent-Garcia administration was elected in 2012 to
negotiate the contract PEF members need and deserve. On behalf of the Kent-Garcia administration, Maureen Kellman and the contract team she led, we urge PEF members to fight for the contract they need and deserve.
A portion of Rock’s testimony also highlighted the need for active family involvement for successful treatment, along with trained mental health professionals. Rock also said the shortage of qualified mental health providers needs to be addressed.
“According to OMH, nearly one-third of counties designated as mental health shortage areas are located in the western and central regions of New York state. The state has worked to address this issue, for example, by increasing the salaries,” she said. “Much more needs to be done.”
Save inpatient services Rock discussed the issue of effectiveness and accountability of community providers. “It is incumbent on the state to ensure that these businesses are not undermining care because the CEOs are profiting from the contracts at the expense of mental
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health care workers. PEF is very concerned that the move to less costly community care will lead to more costly outcomes such as with the ongoing scandal of the Federation Employment and Guidance Service currently being audited by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.”
Rock concluded her testimony by urging the Assembly committee to remember inpatient beds are needed. “Managed care is to prevent and manage chronic health care conditions. This includes working hard to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits. While the goal to reduce “unnecessary” hospital admissions is laudable, reducing beds and closing public hospitals is not the way to go about it,” Rock said. “People with mental illness who are denied needed inpatient care do not just go away.”
The Communicator July/August 2015 — Page 7
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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