Article "NM Fighting to Save Behavioral Health"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 31, 2013

Contact: Christi Fields at (505) 604-0221, or Christi_Fields@hotmail.com.
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NEW MEXICANS FIGHTING TO SAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

 

Arizona Firms Lay off New Mexico Behavioral Health Employees

 

The legacy of the shutdown of many of New Mexico’s behavioral health agencies by the State’s Human Services Department (HSD) continues to reap tragic results.  A former therapist with a Valencia County behavioral health agency has reported staff layoffs are causing trauma to mental health clients, at a time when New Mexico leads the nation with the highest rate of mental illness.

 

 Ed Church, who was hired by Valle del Sol, the Arizona firm chosen to take over operations of Valencia Counseling Services last summer, says Valle del Sol has “laid off three counselors, leaving effectively two others to see 380 clients.”

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Nine layoffs are also reported in Raton and Espanola.  In Roswell, the employee count has diminished from 87 pre-takeover to 39 at present.  Therapists report that diminishing employee numbers statewide have severely impacted client service. 

 

Church says: “There are clients in substance abuse relapse, recently discharged from the hospital and those that will run out of meds on a daily basis who won't be seen for admittance into the services because there are even fewer therapists available to schedule new intakes.”

 

The former therapist says Valle del Sol states the reasons for the layoffs are “revenue shortfalls”.  He questions how this could be, since the NM Human Services Department has committed $18 million dollars to underwrite the transition to the Arizona firms, and is paying Arizona executives up to $300/hour to manage the transition.  He further states: “I thought we were guaranteed three month positions. I also believe Valle del Sol received state monies for a three month transition process.”

 

“This travesty,” says Church, “continues to create trauma and is a slap in the face to mental health clients who won't have any transition or termination interviews. Their appointments, I was told, would simply be cancelled.” 

 

The shutdown of New Mexico’s behavioral health agencies was triggered last summer by a $4 million audit alleging “possible fraud”, yet to be proven.  The action has affected 30,000 clients coping with mental illness, alcoholism and substance abuse. 
 
It is believed by behavioral health advocates that although HSD alleges a 90% rehire rate, the layoffs may be a precursor to similar actions in other agencies since many former employees, like Church, were hired on a 90-day basis.
 
For more information on the shutdown and its effects, go to YouTube/New Mexico Behavioral Health.