Privatizing crisis response clouds future for about 20 workers

The 20 nurses and other workers who form the Benton-Franklin crisis response team have not yet received layoff notices following a decision to end county involvement in the service.

The Benton and Franklin commissions voted June 30 to withdraw from the crisis response business, a move that put the jobs of 20 employees in the Benton-Franklin Human Services division’s crisis response unit in jeopardy.

The counties have not notified Greater Columbia Behavioral Health services of their intent to cancel the contract to provide crisis response services. Greater Columbia has said there will be no interruption in services during the transition to a private model.

Greater Columbia is a 10-county agency responsible for administering health and human services in the region. It pays Benton-Franklin Human Services to respond to suicide threats and other mental health crises under a contract that can be canceled with advance notice.

Keith Johnson, administrator for Franklin County, said the bicounty agency is working through logistical details such as building leases, software and other investments in the crisis response unit before it terminates the contract or lays off employees.

“The bottom line is making sure the services continue,” he said.

The crisis response unit employs 20 but is authorized for up to 28 employees.

The Washington State Council of County and City Employees, AFSCME, Council 2, Local 3962, represents some of the employees, including the crisis mental health nurse, children’s resource coordinator, mental health professional, crisis counselor and others.

Pat Thompson, deputy director, said the union has not been formally notified the counties intend to shift crisis response services to Greater Columbia.

“Without that, we don’t feel like we’re in a position to comment,” he said, adding that he expects the employer to take steps to mitigate the impact on employees.

The 2013 contract authorizes the human services department, as the employer, to determine if layoffs are necessary for reasons such as lack of work, lack of funds or reorganization. The move to cancel the contract would likely be considered a reorganization.

Lexi Wingfield, personnel manager for Benton-Franklin, said the county will assist employees subject to layoffs, including notifying them of job postings within the county for one year.

The decision to back away from crisis response services foreshadows a larger move to privatize health and human services under a Washington law taking effect in 2020.

At last month’s meeting, the two county commissions agreed to hire an outside consultant from a well-regarded program in San Antonio, Texas, to develop a plan to guide the transition.

This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Privatizing crisis response clouds future for about 20 workers."