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Report Finds Quality Care Crisis In Nassau AHRC
State Halts Action On Contractors $30 Million Bond Application
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Report Finds Quality Care Crisis In Nassau AHRC
September 26 2006
Mineola, New York - CSEA - New York's leading union - today released a disturbing report detailing scores of violations at the Nassau AHRC that jeopardize the health and safety of the developmentally disabled individuals in their care, as well as the staff that care for them.
The Nassau AHRC is part of NYSARC, Inc. the state's largest contractor of services for people with developmental disabilities with 49 chapters across the state and $1.4 billion in revenues, most of it from public funds. There are about 2,000 direct care employees at Nassau AHRC.
As he held up a copy of a scathing report and was surrounded by concerned workers, community members and state lawmakers, CSEA Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte called for immediate state inspections of Nassau AHRC facilities.
He said the report, which was developed through interviews with AHRC workers and delivered yesterday to the (OMRDD) Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, details hundreds of alleged regulatory violations.
"You could say that this is a violation of the public trust. AHRC is supposed to be caring for the developmentally disabled. But according to his report, the quality of care delivered to the most vulnerable in AHRC facilities is not only severely lacking; it has reached the crisis point," said LaMorte.
"The report alleges consumers and workers are subjected to hazardous conditions, where basics like sanitation, fire safety and proper sanitation are lacking; And where insufficient staffing, high turnover and inadequate staff training pose a danger to everyone involved," said LaMorte.
AHRC workers like Keisha Johnson from the Freeport Vocational Center contributed to the report only after they had tried repeatedly to get management to improve conditions. "AHRC management knows that consumers and workers are getting sick from this broken-down building, and they do nothing about it. There are roaches and mice droppings, the bathrooms are constantly in an unsanitary condition, and the vans that we transport consumers in consistently are in terrible shape," said Johnson.
Renee Brooks works at an AHRC community residence in Westbury, agreed. "AHRC management knows that understaffing is major problem but does nothing about it. Turnover is high because the pay is low and the benefits are poor, there is no job security, and no process for career advancement. There have been many times in many of the community residences, where consumers live, where there is no manager on duty," said Brooks.
Nassau AHRC employees have been working with CSEA to form a union at the agency. These employees have requested to meet with management to deal with the problems at the agency and discuss a fair process for unionization. They have been repeatedly rebuffed by Executive Director Michael Mascari and his management team.
Standing in support of the workers at the press conference were Rev. Henry Benack, retired chaplain from Glen Cove; James McAsey, executive director, Jobs with Justice; John Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor, as well as State Assemblymen Rob Walker, Chuck Lavine, and Bob Barra.
"It is essential that agencies such as the AHRC that are primarily funded by the taxpayers of this state provide the highest quality of care and treat its employees, with dignity and respect. Both of these issues need to be addressed immediately," said Assemblyman Rob Walker.
"The complaint spells out the need for Nassau AHRC take immediate action which should include meeting with the employees and refraining from any and all anti-union activity," said Assemblyman Chuck Lavine.
"The workers' right to organize free of intimidation and harassment must be protected. It is clear today that Nassau AHRC has not listened to its employees and has a lot to hear and action to take," said Assemblyman Bob Barra.
Last winter, CSEA launched the Quality Care campaign seeking to secure a better future for developmental disabilities services in New York. The campaign is aimed at improving the delivery of services, addressing low pay and high turnover rates among employees of not-for-profit contractors and ensuring that quality standards are met statewide. CSEA represents 265,000 members in New York including about 18,000 workers in the developmental disabilities field employed by the state OMRDD and several not-for profit providers.
June 28, 2006
State Halts Action On Contractor's $30 Million Bond Application In Best Interest Of Quality Care, State Taxpayers -State Investigating NYSARC
ALBANY- Today's decision by the Dormitory Authority of New York State to table action on NYSARC's Series 2006 revenue bond application is in the best interest of New York state taxpayers and the quality of care in the state's developmental disabilities services. The action was taken pending review of various issues, including a complaint filed over quality of care problems at Schoharie ARC, one of 13 ARCs involved in the NYSARC application. The other chapters are Westchester, Ontario, Montgomery, Essex, Herkimer, Monroe, Putnam, Chemung, Otsego, Saratoga, Steuben and Warren-Washington.
NYSARC is the statewide umbrella organization representing county-based ARC chapters across New York. NYSARC contracts with the state of New York through the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities(OMRDD) to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. NYSARC operating revenues come almost entirely from public funds.
"Before the taxpayers guarantee more funds for NYSARC expansion, we need to know that their operations meet all standards and are not at risk," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "The reality is that OMRDD must step in at considerable taxpayer expense when outside contractors fail to measure up."
"Outside contractors, like NYSARC, must be held to the highest standards because the individuals receiving services and the staff who care for them deserve no less," Donohue said.
In recent months, CSEA launched the Quality Care Campaign to ensure a better future for developmental disabilities services across New York. CSEA was instrumental in the legislative approval of the Quality Care Act which
would help improve pay and benefits for employees of the not-for-profit providers including NYSARC chapters, to begin to address the employee turnover crisis. That legislation is now pending the governor's action.
CSEA represents 265,000 members in New York state, including more than 16,000 who provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Most of those members provide services through the state OMRDD in thousands of community based homes and facilities throughout the state. CSEA also represents a growing number of developmental
disabilities workers in the not-for-profit sector.
"CSEA has been representing developmental disabilities workers since the 1930s," said Donohue. "We've earned our reputation as New York's leading union by advocating for our members and the services they deliver. We will not back away from the challenge of ensuring quality of care and fairness and respect throughout the entire system."
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June 27, 2006
Quality Care Act Approval Is Down Payment On Future Of Developmental Disabilities Services In New York
ALBANY - CSEA - New York's Leading Union - today praised the state Senate and Assembly for their approval of the Quality
Care Act (S. 6629A; A. 9822A). The legislation would provide an initial infusion of $25 million to boost the pay of direct care workers in the not-for-profit sector.
"The Quality Care Act is a down payment on the future of developmental disabilities services in New York," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "The leaders and members of the Senate and Assembly deserve enormous credit for recognizing the need and moving to address it."
Donohue urged Gov. George Pataki to sign the Quality Care Act and called on the leaders of the not-for-profit service providers such as NYSARC to encourage the governor's support.
"It has been a great disappointment that the leaders of the not-for-profit sector have not actively embraced this initiative because it would directly benefit the people who work for them providing care to our state's most vulnerable individuals," Donohue said. "There is still an opportunity for them to contact the governor and let him know they support a better system of quality care."
CSEA launched its Quality Care initiative last winter with strong legislative support from across the state. The campaign is necessary because of an epidemic in turnover rates - up to 40 percent annually - among frontline employees of many not-for-profit agencies that threaten the long-term quality standards of services and care. The turnover costs New York taxpayers millions of dollars.
New York's system of care for individuals with developmental disabilities is generally viewed as a model for the nation and CSEA?s relationship with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities (OMRDD) is highly regarded as a model for cooperative labor relations. But the seriousness of the employee turnover problem in the not-for-profit agencies, which generally do not have union representation, has raised multiple concerns for the future. Not-for-profit agencies provide an increasingly higher percentage of the overall services to individuals with developmental disabilities in New York. Most of the agencies also receive up to 95 percent of their operating budgets from public funds. Literally millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake because of high turnover.
By contrast, more than 16,000 CSEA members provide life skills, medical services and critical continuity of care for nearly 10,000 group home residents of all ages and ability levels, 24/7. Most are employees of OMRDD. But the union has recently made strong inroads in representing employees in not-for-profit agencies. Turnover rates among CSEA-represented
employees in the developmental disabilities field are about seven percent.
OMRDD, which oversees the not-for-profit agencies in addition to providing direct services itself, has already launched its own initiative to assist not-for-profit providers in improving the health care coverage of their employees. But it does not go far enough in addressing the pay and benefit disparities that result in turnover. The Quality Care Act would
provide an additional $25 million to directly benefit frontline workers. It would be administered by the Commissioner of OMRDD and would be only the first phase of a multi-year plan to move the not-for-profit direct care workers closer to
parity with state employees providing similar services.
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June 19, 2006
CSEA Issues Urgent Call To Not-For-Profits To Support Quality Care Act In State Legislature
ALBANY - CSEA
"There is real opportunity to pass this legislation now and take the first steps toward improved pay and benefits for the people providing the hands-on service to individuals with developmental disabilities," said CSEA president Danny Donohue. "We need every not-for provider to step up and get behind this effort, which will benefit everyone. State lawmakers are receptive to this legislation but they need to see the broad support right now before the legislative session ends."
The CSEA leader noted that the managers and boards of the not-for profit service providers have been shockingly silent, at best about the Quality Care Act.
"We've heard some lip service to support but it has not been backed up by positive actions," Donohue said.
CSEA launched its Quality Care initiative last winter with strong legislative support from across the state. The campaign is necessary because of an epidemic in turnover rates - up to 40 percent annually - among frontline employees of many not-for profit agencies that threaten the long-term quality standards of services and care. The turnover costs New York taxpayers millions of dollars.
New York's system of care for individuals with Developmental Disabilities is generally viewed as a model for the nation and CSEA's relationship with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) is highly regarded as a model for cooperative labor relations. But the seriousness of the employee turnover problem in the not-for profit agencies, which generally do not have union representation, has raised multiple concerns for the future. Not-for profit agencies provide an increasingly higher percentage of the overall services to individuals with developmental disabilities in New York. Most of the agencies also receive up to 95 percent of their operating budgets from public funds. Literally millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake because of high turnover.
By contrast, more than 16,000 CSEA members provide life skills, medical services and critical continuity of care for nearly 10,000 group home residents of all ages and ability levels, 24/7. Most are employees of OMRDD. But the union has recently made strong inroads in representing employees in not-for profit agencies. Turnover rates among CSEA-represented employees in the developmental disabilities field are about 7 percent.
OMRDD, which oversees the not-for profit agencies in addition to providing direct services itself, has already launched its own initiative to assist not-for profit providers in improving the health care coverage of their employees. But it does not go far enough in addressing the pay and benefit disparities that result in turnover. The Quality Care Act would provide an additional $25 million to directly benefit frontline workers. It would be administered by the Commissioner of OMRDD and would be only the first phase of a multi-year plan to move the not-for profit direct care workers closer to parity with state employees providing similar services.
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June 1, 2006
CSEA Steps Up Efforts For Quality Care Act - Calls On Governor, Lawmakers, Not-For-Profit Providers To Act
ALBANY - CSEA - New York's Leading Union - is pushing for action on the Quality Care Act (S. 6629; A. 9822) to ensure improved pay for the front line employees of the not-for-profit providers of developmental disabilities services.
CSEA launched its Quality Care initiative last winter with strong legislative support from across the state. The campaign is necessary because of an epidemic in turnover rates - up to 40 percent annually - among front line employees of many not-for profit agencies that threaten the long-term quality standards of services and care.
"When CSEA introduced this initiative, lawmakers from every corner of the state rallied in support," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "Everyone from advocates to not-for-profit providers agreed it was a good first step toward addressing the horrendous turnover problem and improving quality of care."
"It is time for action now!" Donohue said.
CSEA is seeking immediate passage of the legislation and calling on not-for profit providers to help urge Governor Pataki to sign it.
"Front line workers in not-for-profit agencies deserve better pay and benefits, adequate training and decent working conditions," Donohue said. "It will help them do a better job."
New York's system of care for individuals with developmental disabilities is generally viewed as a model for the nation and CSEA's relationship with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) is highly regarded as a model for cooperative labor relations. But the seriousness of the employee turnover problem in the not-for profit agencies, which generally do not have union representation, has raised multiple concerns for the future. Not-for profit agencies provide an increasingly higher percentage of the overall services to individuals with developmental disabilities in New York. Most of the agencies also receive up to 95 percent of their operating budgets from public funds. Literally millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake because of high turnover.
By contrast, more than 16,000 CSEA members provide life skills, medical services and critical continuity of care for nearly 10,000 group home residents of all ages and ability levels, 24/7. Most are employees of OMRDD. But the union has recently made strong inroads in representing employees in not-for profit agencies. Turnover rates among CSEA-represented employees in the developmental disabilities field are about seven percent.
OMRDD, which oversees the not-for profit agencies in addition to providing direct services itself, has already launched its own initiative to assist not-for-profit providers in improving the health care coverage of their employees. But it does not go far enough in addressing the pay and benefit disparities that result in turnover. The Quality Care Act would provide an additional $25 million to directly benefit front line workers.
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February 6, 2006
CSEA Campaign For Quality Care Gains Statewide Momentum
State legislators, including Sen. Nick Spano, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Assemblymen James Tedisco and Robert Reilly and Senator George Maziarz turned out in force to support CSEA's Campaign for Quality Care on Feb. 6. Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman John McEneny also attended.
ALBANY - CSEA - New York's leading union - is gaining statewide momentum in its campaign for improvements in quality care throughout the developmental disabilities system. Senate Majority Leader
Joseph Bruno was among the lawmakers who joined CSEA President Danny Donohue today in Albany to express support for the union's initiative. Numerous state and local elected officials from both political parties have rallied to the cause in recent weeks during public events on Long Island, in New York City, White Plains, Syracuse and Rochester.
The Quality Care campaign is necessary because of an epidemic in turnover rates - up to 40 percent annually - among frontline employees of many not-for-profit agencies that threaten the long term quality standards of services and care.
"The big issue is maintaining the quality of care throughout the entire system because the individuals with developmental disabilities deserve it," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "But quality care begins with making sure the people who care for the individuals are treated with fairness and respect."
New York's system of care for individuals with developmental disabilities is generally viewed as a model for the nation and CSEA's relationship with OMRDD is highly regarded as a model for cooperative labor relations. But the seriousness of the employee turnover problem in the not-for-profit agencies, which generally do not have union representation, has raised multiple concerns for the future. Not-for-profit agencies provide an increasingly higher percentage of the overall services to individuals with developmental disabilities in New York. Most of the agencies also receive up to 95 percent of their operating budgets from public funds. Literally millions of taxpayer dollars are at stake because of high turnover.
By contrast, more than 16,000 CSEA members provide life skills, medical services and critical continuity of care for nearly 10,000 group home residents of all ages and ability levels, 24/7. Most are employees of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). But the union has recently made strong inroads in representing employees in not-for-profit agencies. Turnover rates among CSEA-represented employees in the developmental disabilities field are about seven percent.
OMRDD, which oversees the not-for-profit agencies in addition to providing direct services itself, has already launched its own initiative to assist
not-for-profit providers in improving the health care coverage of their employees. But it does not go far enough in addressing the pay and benefit disparities that result in turnover.
As part of the campaign, CSEA will be advocating for the passage of the Quality Care Act in the New York State Legislature this session to uphold the quality of care for individuals with developmental disabilities. The legislation would require not-for-profit agencies receiving at least 50 percent of their operating funds in public money to better account for their spending priorities and provide baseline standards for employee pay and benefits.
"Fair pay, decent benefits, adequate training, reasonable working conditions and a voice in the worksite cannot be disregarded as important factors in recruiting and retaining a qualified, capable and engaged workforce," CSEA president Danny Donohue said. "These factors are at the heart of maintaining quality care standards."
"CSEA has earned its reputation as New York's leading union by advocating for our members and the services we deliver," Donohue said. "We know that securing balance and fairness are essential for the future of quality services for the developmentally disabled and we will not back away from that challenge."
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January 25, 2006
CSEA Launches Campaign For Quality Care
ALBANY -- CSEA -- New York's leading union -- has launched a statewide campaign for improvements in quality throughout the developmental disabilities system.
The campaign is necessary because of an epidemic in turnover rates -- up to 40 percent annually -- among frontline employees of many not-for-profit agencies that threaten the long term quality standards of services and care.
New York's system of care for individuals with Developmental Disabilities is generally viewed as a model for the nation and CSEA's relationship with OMRDD is highly regarded as a model for cooperative labor relations. But the seriousness of the employee turnover problem in the not-for profit agencies has raised multiple concerns for the future. Not-for-profit agencies provide an increasingly higher percentage of the overall services to individuals with developmental disabilities in New York. Most of the agencies also receive up to 95 percent of their operating budgets from public funds.
By contrast, more than 16,000 CSEA members provide life skills, medical services and critical continuity of care for nearly 10,000 group home residents of all ages and ability levels, 24/7. Most are employees of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). But the union has recently made strong inroads in representing employees in not-for profit agencies. Turnover rates among CSEA-represented employees in the developmental disabilities field are about five percent.
OMRDD, which oversees the not-for-profit agencies in addition to providing direct services itself, has already launched its own initiative to assist
not-for profit providers in improving the health care coverage of their employees. But it does not go far enough in addressing the pay and benefit disparities that
result in turnover.
As part of the campaign, CSEA will be advocating for the passage of the Quality Care Act in the New York State Legislature this session to uphold the quality of care for individuals with developmental disabilities. The legislation would require not-for profit agencies receiving at least 50 percent of their operating funds in public money to better account for their spending priorities and provide baseline standards for employee pay and benefits.
"Fair pay, decent benefits, adequate training, reasonable working conditions and a voice in the worksite cannot be disregarded as important factors in recruiting and retaining a qualified, capable and engaged workforce," CSEA president Danny Donohue said. "These factors are at the heart of maintaining quality care standards."
"CSEA has earned its reputation as New York's leading union by advocating for our members and the services we deliver," Donohue said. "We know that securing balance and fairness are essential for the future of quality services for the developmentally disabled and we will not back away from that challenge."