The San Benito County Board of Supervisors heard from the Department of Behavioral Health on Tuesday about the recruitment effort, amid allegations of toxic work environments and a civil grand jury report for understaffing. We don’t have a team,” said a behavioral health employee. According to the report, SBC Behavioral Health has 75 open positions with a vacancy rate of 35% across management, clinical staff, case managers and quality improvement sectors. Since January, the department has had 14 of her resignations, according to two of his employees, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. Seven former employees were in direct care positions as either nurses, clinicians, or case managers, with the other half in administrative support roles. In addition, there are three pending resignations, one of which he is a clinical supervisor. “We’re topping this as best we can. We can’t make people, we can only invite people,” said her Heinie Ring, the county’s human resources manager. “There are multiple factors that haven’t been able to attract people to San Benito.”The biggest position the county is trying to fill is the director of the department, which has been vacant since January, with at least two applicants for the offer. both declined. The grand jury report hints at several possibilities as to why the department is having trouble attracting and retaining staff. Issues outlined in the report include low wages, poor benefits, inefficient management and unsupportive work environments. They’re gone because they’re micromanaged…there are no management structures in place to support them. They asked to remain anonymous to prevent retaliation, but confirmed that they had submitted their resignations. “At a recent case management team meeting, case managers were required to review their attendance policy with Director Maria Sanchez to confirm that taking a ‘mental health day’ is not considered sick leave and is considered unpaid leave. The report also points to long wait times, an outdated medical record system and poor financial management. “Behavioral Health does not employ or even require the specialized training in finance or advanced financial practices required to create and maintain a multi-million dollar budget. The necessary expenditure will be incurred and the block grant will be returned,” the report said. Shortages are not unique to behavioral health departments. The grand jury report shines a spotlight on several county agencies and departments that are understaffed. Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velázquez said the lack of affordable housing is partly to blame. “We have too much housing,” said Velázquez.A grand jury report found 2,290 new single-family housing units were approved, potentially affecting a population of 8,290. I have. Velázquez attributes the population growth to Bay Area transplants. “Our own residences are being pushed out of town, and that’s hurting our community,” Velazquez said. Migrating out of the Bay Area could be a big challenge for San Benito County when the majority of homeowners prefer Silicon Valley salaries. “Having positions in the county and trying to fill them and stay competitive with the positions being held in the Bay Area is definitely a challenge,” said Monica Leon, county spokesperson. The SBC Behavioral Health Department hired a third-party consulting firm, Municipal Resources Group, to assess the institution’s operations and culture.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors heard from the Department of Behavioral Health on Tuesday about the hiring effort, amid allegations of a toxic work environment and a civil grand jury report citing staffing shortages.
“We don’t have a clinical team to support the community,” said a behavioral health employee.
According to the report, SBC Behavioral Health has 75 open positions with a vacancy rate of 35% across management, clinical staff, case managers and quality improvement sectors.
Since January, the department has had 14 resignations, according to two employees who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. Seven former employees were in direct care positions as either nurses, clinicians, or case managers, with the other half in administrative support roles.
In addition, there are three pending resignations, one of which is a clinical supervisor.
“We’re exceeding this as best we can. We can’t make people, we can only invite people,” said Heinie Ring, the county’s human resources manager. “There are multiple factors that have failed to attract people to San Benito.”
The largest position the county is trying to fill is that of divisional director, a position that has remained vacant since January. Offers were offered to at least two of her applicants, but both declined.
The grand jury report hints at several possibilities as to why the department is having trouble attracting and retaining staff.
Issues outlined in the report include low wages, poor benefits, inefficient management and an unsupportive work environment.
“They’re leaving because there aren’t enough salaries to the area. They’re leaving because they’re micromanaged…there’s no management structure in place that doesn’t support them. They’re not evaluated, they’re not asked, they’re not coached,” the employee said.
They asked to remain anonymous to prevent retaliation, but confirmed that they had submitted their resignations.
“At a recent case management team meeting, case managers were required to review their attendance policy with Director Maria Sanchez to confirm that taking a ‘mental health day’ is not considered sick leave and is considered unpaid leave. According to Behavioral Health, this is very bad,” the employee said.
The report also points to long wait times, outdated medical record systems and poor financial management.
“Behavioral Health does not employ or even require the specialized training in finance or advanced financial practices required to create and maintain a multi-million dollar budget. The necessary expenditure will be incurred and the block grant will be returned,” the report said.
Shortages are not unique to behavioral health departments. The grand jury report shines a spotlight on several county agencies and departments that are understaffed.
Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velázquez said the lack of affordable housing is partly to blame.
“We have too many [unaffordable] Housing is underway,” Velázquez said.
A grand jury report said 2,290 new single-family housing units could be approved, affecting a population of 8,290.
Velázquez attributes the population growth to Bay Area transplants.
“Our own residences are being pushed out of town, and it’s hurting our community,” Velázquez said.
Migrating out of the Bay Area could be a big challenge for San Benito County when the majority of homeowners prefer Silicon Valley salaries.
“Having positions in the county and trying to fill them and stay competitive with the positions held in the Bay Area is definitely a challenge,” said Monica Leon, county spokesperson. .
The SBC Behavioral Health Department hired a third-party consulting firm, Municipal Resources Group, to assess the institution’s operations and culture.
