PEF Leaders Give Lawmakers Insight on Safety Risks, Solutions at Residential Facilities Operated by OPWDD

ALBANY, NY (06/13/2011)(readMedia)-- The President of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) gave legislators a list of ways to prevent and reduce abuse and neglect at facilities operated by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The testimony at a legislative hearing on safety and quality of care in Albany today, comes on the heels of a scathing article in the New York Times about incidents of client abuse and neglect.

"The article has cast suspicion on all OPWDD employees, painting the overwhelming majority of conscientious employees with the same dirty brush as a few unscrupulous offenders," said PEF President Ken Brynien.

Brynien, an OPWDD employee for more than 25 years before becoming a union leader, testified PEF feels strongly that any employee who has perpetrated such offenses should be disciplined, and if appropriate, terminated or prosecuted. But he also noted effective intervention and prevention must be part of the equation.

"Short staffing and the de-professionalization of the work force have contributed to an environment where situations of abuse and neglect are more likely to occur," Brynien testified.

PEF offered legislators several suggestions on how to prevent and reduce potential abuse and neglect including increased training, adequate professional staffing and allowing Medicaid service coordinators to do more face-to-face visits with clients and families to better monitor care.

Ed Snow is a union leader who works at Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO). "Working with developmentally disabled is not an easy job and not everyone can or should do it," Snow testified.

"The overwhelming majority of professional employees in OPWDD treat consumers with respect and report abuse or neglect if they see it. Quality training and appropriate staffing levels are a critical part of treating and caring for the most vulnerable among us," said Snow.

PEF is the state's second-largest, state-employee union, representing 56,000 professional, scientific and technical employees, including 4,500 in OPWDD.

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