October 2011

To the editor:

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 509, the human service workers union, would like to thank Representative James O’Day (D-West Boylston) for sponsoring House Bill 1429, which would establish a Community Based Flexible Supports (CBFS) Oversight Commission. This Commission would ensure quality services, financial transparency and outcome accountability for the CBFS system, which was created in July 2009 and cares for almost 12,000 Department of Mental Health (DMH) clients.

Oversight is becoming increasingly important as DMH funding decreases and services move into the community, where there is increased risk of clients being neglected. In light of the January murders of two human service workers, it’s clear that safety is also at stake.

In Representative O’Day’s district, there is an agency – a CBFS vendor – that does not meet the current CBFS Safety Task Force requirements and would benefit greatly from the passage of this bill. The Oversight Commission would address safety concerns at vendors like this one, by ensuring that they address the safety and well-being of workers and clients (i.e. not slashing staffing or neglecting crucial services) and ensuring the effective use of taxpayer dollars.

This CBFS Oversight Commission would be instrumental in ensuring safety and quality of care in the state mental health system, affecting workers and consumers at CBFS programs statewide, including local agencies in Worcester County.

– Susan Tousignant, President of SEIU Local 509, Watertown

West Boylston Banner

The SEIU Local 509, the Human Service Workers Union, would like to thank Sen. Sal DiDomenico for introducing Senate Bill 1206, an act to promote workplace safety for social workers.

This bill would require programs operated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a workplace violence prevention and crisis response plan for social workers and human services workers.

The threat of workplace violence affects thousands of social workers and human service workers in the commonwealth who work selflessly every day to help those in need. Recent incidents, such as the death of human service worker Stephanie Moultan, allegedly killed by a mentally ill client on the job, highlight the pressing need for measures to prevent and respond to threats to worker safety.

In return for the service and dedication of social workers and human service workers, the state should ensure that they are safe and protected from violence on the job. The passage of this bill would be instrumental in achieving this goal of a safer workplace environment for workers and clients alike. The Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex counties should all be grateful to have such a dedicated senator. – Susan Tousignant, President of SEIU Local 509, Watertown

Human Service Workers Commends the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) for many of its findings in the death of Humans Service Worker Stephanie Moulton

WATERTOWN — SEIU Local 509, the Human Service Workers Union, commends OSHA for many of its findings in the death of Stephanie Moulton who was allegedly murdered by a mental health client. The report cites North Suffolk Mental Health Association’s (NSMHA) for “hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees”. OSHA gave corrective actions that must be addressed and fined NSMHA $7,000, which is the highest possible fine under current regulations. Jeffrey A. Erskine, OSHA’s area director in Andover stated that “This citation points to the clear and pressing need for this employer, and other employers in this industry, to develop a comprehensive and effective program to proactively address workplace violence situations that imperil the safety and health of their workers.”

While Stephanie Moulton’s death occurred in Revere, the same safety concerns are statewide.  “Safety concerns and lack of oversight have left the entire community based mental health systems at risk.”, said Susan Tousignant, President SEIU Local 509.   In fact, the concerns were so many, that just weeks prior to  the death, SEIU Local 509 filed a bill (H1429) with the Legislator to create a Mental Health Oversight Commission to provide a top-to-bottom accountability of mental health services. Immediately after Moulton’s death, SEIU Local 509 held a vigil calling for a statewide review of the mental health system and memorializing Stephanie Moulton.  The Department of Mental Health (DMH) heard the call to action and created the Safety Task Force, which did a thorough statewide safety review and provided necessary recommendations. While some of OSHA’s corrective actions were not consistent with community living, many of OSHA’s corrective actions were also identified by Safety Task Force. OSHA’s citation has clearly reinforced the need for systemic changes statewide as put forth by the Safety Task Force.

Human Service Workers know that people recovering from mental illness can and do live safely in the community with proper funding and supports. SEIU Local 509 views this citation reflective of breakdown in the system, and are not indicative that working with the mentally is inherently hazardous. In fact instances of violence involving the mentally ill are extremely rare, yet breakdowns in the system, create safety concerns for workers and adds stigma to the many people who are successfully recovering from mental illness.

OSHA’s citation lends further urgency to spur policy makers to implement the DMH Safety Task Force recommendations. “We look forward to implementing the Safety Task Force Recommendations to insure that this never happens again”, said Toby Fisher MBA MSW Senior Field Policy Specialist SEIU.

SEIU Local 509 is a labor union representing over 13,000 public and private sector human service workers across Massachusetts.