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Missouri Digital News
A signficant increase in funding for the Department of Mental Health does not help those who need it most. Stephanie Hockridge has the story.
Representatives from the government employees union, AFSCME, came to Jefferson City Tuesday to urge state legislators to provide sufficient funding to the Department of Mental Health.
Despite the $224 million increase during the last decade, legislators are learning that the money has not been trickling down to the people who need it most.
Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Chuck Purgason said that since the additional money has not improved the standard of living for caregivers, it's time to change directions.
"WE'VE MISSED A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NINETIES WHEN WE WERE GROWING THE BUDGET TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES RATHER THAN EXPAND THEM. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE WE WERE CURRENTLY SERVING, RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THE PEOPLE WORKING WITH THOSE AND WE SQUANDARD IT."
He says that it is distressing that the state is still not getting the money down to the people who need it most, the people that are providing the care.
From the state Capitol, I'm Stephanie Hockridge.
Date:12/09/03
State Capital Bureau
Despite millions more in state spending, the Department of Mental Health employees find themselves at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to raises. Stephanie Hockridge has the details.
Representatives from the government employees union, AFSCME, came to Jefferson City Tuesday to urge state legislators to provide sufficient funding to the Department of Mental Health.
Despite an increase of $224 million during the last decade, legislators are now learning that the money has not been trickling down to the people who need it most.
AFSCME spokeswoman Cynthia Tebbe has worked as a developmental aid at the Marshall Habitation Center for 15 years and says she has never received a significant pay increase.
"WE'RE THE ONES DOING THE LABOR AND WE'RE THE LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLL. OUR RAISE IS THIS: THE PEOPLE THAT SIT IN THE OFFICE AND AREN'T IN CONTACT WITH THE CLIENTS, THEIR RAISE IS HUGE."
Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Chuck Purgason said that since the additional money has not improved the standard of living for care givers, it's time to change directions and improve quality rather than services.
From the state Capitol, I'm Stephanie Hockridge.