Merced Mental Health Approves 61 Layoffs

The cuts mean many of the department's 5,000 patients will suffer.

From ABC-30 by Katie Hammer, January 7, 2007

Merced County says the cuts were necessary due to a lack in state funding, but now more than 30 mental health employees are looking for new jobs. Despite an emotional plea from the union representative speaking for dozens of county mental health employees, supervisors voted to eliminate 61 positions from the county's mental health services.

Troy Fox, Mental Health Director, says, "It's never easy and we will do everything we can. I told the board to find alternative employment for these employees effected by this."

Dee Tatum, Merced County CEO, says, "We've waited and waited for funding to come in, but we just don't see it, it's not there."

The county was forced to make more than $3M in budget cuts, after it says the state failed to provide necessary funding. Fox says the department has already made significant cutbacks, and had no other choice than to get rid of staff. He states, "We have reduced or eliminated contracts and have reduced as many contracts as many as we could."

The cuts mean many of the department's 5,000 patients will suffer. Services will be stopped for patients considered "low risk" or stable. But, Fox says adults without Medi-Cal will be hurt the most. He says, "There are significant individuals in the county who do not have a payer source who will have only access to those mandated services."

Mental health employees who are affected by the lay-off's sat in the audience, they did not want to speak on camera after learning they will lose their jobs.

35 positions that the board eliminated today are currently filled, the others were already vacant.

Source: ABC-30

Link: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=4919807