HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Salvador Ventura, Chair Butte Cty Mental Health Brd regarding concerns of retiring staffLAND OF NATURAL WEALTH AND BEAUTY
`LS BUTTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
F,dward 1Valker, LCSW, Interum Behavioral Health Director -Alcohol and DrugAbuse Administrator
C] ADMINISTRATION
107 Parmm Rd., SUde 4
ChM CA 95925
TEL WM91.2650
FAX 5301895-6549
November 24, 2009
1__I AOULT I YOUTH SERVICES
107 Pam eRd, Sure
CNm. CA 95928
TEL 3NMI-2550
FAX: 570995-5/9
Butte County Board of Supervisors
25 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Supervisor Bill Connelly
Supervisor Jane Dolan
Supervisor Maureen Kirk
Supervisor Steve Lambert
Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi
COMMUNITY SERVICES
109 Pm Rd., Surto 2
cn1m, CA om
TEL: 53OMi-2691
FAX: 510991-29M
E] ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
109 PN Rd., Suila 1
CNod, CA 95925
TEL: 53=91.2980
FAX: 550109&5548
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DEC 0 7 209
OROVILLE,CALIFORNIA
The California Welfare and Institutions "Code Section 5604.2" establishes, among other
things, that the local Mental Health Board "shall do the following":
"Review and evaluate the community's mental health needs, services, facilities and
special needs"
"Advise the governing body and the local mental health director as to any aspect of
the local mental health program"
To fulfill this obligation, a motion was unanimously approved on November 19`s by the
Behavioral Health Board (the local Mental Health Board and Alcohol and Drug Advisory
Board). The motion asked the Chair to write to the Board of Supervisors pointing out its
great concern about the impending "crisis" caused by "retiring" and "graying" Staff and
Contract Psychiatrists.
To support the motion, the following points were discussed:
One of the current Psychiatrists will be retiring in the next few months and four others
range in age from 64 to 81 years old.
BCBH current contract rate is $ 95.00 an hour while "Youth for Change", with
which the Department a contract, has a rate of $ 140.00
Current BCBH pay of $ 119,600 to $ 159,600 compares very unfavorably to Enloe
Behavioral Health's current pay of about $ 240,000 and the State Hospital and
Prisons whose pay ranges between $ 225,000 and $ 250,000 per year.
While our current doctors are getting closer and closer to retirement, the County has
not been able to hire any Psychiatrists for several years.
It is the opinion of the Medical Staff, with the concurrence of the Mental Health Board,
that attracting young, recently trained psychiatrists is key to ensuring the continuity of
care and that a competitive salary with good benefits is vital to attracting this type of
professional.
The Board is painfully aware of the current fiscal challenges that Butte County faces and
realizes that pressure is being exerted from all comers to have funds allocated to all types
of worthy programs.
That said, and as mentioned above, the Board strongly believes that is its obligation to
bring this critical issue to your attention requesting that a revision of the current
compensation policy and/or contract with the pertinent organizations be re-evaluated and
re -negotiated promptly and that new salary ranges be established in order to position
Butte County in equal footing with other institutions in the State which will be recruiting
the type of doctor so desperately needed in our County.
It is the hope of the BCMHB that this issue will be given a high priority since a lack of
prompt action will surely result in a severe deterioration of services to our
client/consumer base.
Respectfully
Salvador Ventura
Chairman
Butte County Mental Health Board