MHRS: OCEA's Meeting with Dr. Kelley

Dear HCA MHRS member,

Thank you to everyone who provided responses to the survey we sent in August aimed at gaining further insight into the current state of HCA from members at various clinics.

Your answers were informative and helped us to compile this Employee Survey Summary - Mental Health in Crisis in Orange County. On Monday, Sept. 26, OCEA staff and member representatives met with Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services, to speak to concerns addressed in the survey including:

• Staffing
• Lack of support from management
• Lack of clear communication
• Excessive workloads

OCEA Stewards Huda Bayaa (Children’s CAT), Heather Rink-Rosas (AOABH Court Programs), Andy Tszheridis (CYBH Brea Clinic), and Jamar Turner-Johnson (AOABH Anaheim Clinic) came to share their experiences and challenges firsthand as County mental health support staff. Thank you again to them for their invaluable contributions in the meeting!

After speaking with Dr. Kelley, we’ve agreed to begin meeting with her monthly to address the concerns listed in the Employee Survey Summary. To that end, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FOLLOW-UP SURVEY by Friday, Oct. 7, to address short-term changes (scheduling, technology improvements, etc.) and longer-term changes that will need more in-depth discussion during future meetings.

Our goal is to collaboratively create a better work environment for you and your co-workers. Thank you for your involvement as we work toward this goal.

In Solidarity,

Veronica Rodarte
OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative

Publication Date: September 28, 2022