Dear Mr. McHugh,

Staff and SEIU Local 73 Union Members in the Short-Term Stabilization Home (SSH) program work around the clock to serve members facing behavioral challenges. We put our all into making sure members get the support they need because we love what we do.

However, both longtime and newer SSH staff alike agree that our working conditions have now deteriorated to an unacceptable degree. Widespread, persistent issues make it impossible to do our work effectively and safely. Only a few of these issues include:

• Insufficient staffing levels that obstruct quality care for members
• Insufficient training for staff
• Inadequate and inconsistent supplies of necessities for members and staff
• Insufficient guarantees of staff safety and accountability for on-the-job incidents

We are reaching out to you, Mr. McHugh, because up to this point following the proper chain of command has resolved NONE of these issues. Management at every level has either ignored, deflected, or disputed all the concerns we have raised. We are not being listened to, we are not being worked with, and we are not being respected.

SSH staff, as workers at Envision Unlimited and as Local 73 union members, are requesting a meeting to speak with you to apprise you of the current situation and to agree on concrete steps to improve the situation.

Our number one priority is to make sure Envision Unlimited’s members receive the best support possible. We hope you can work together with us to make this a reality.

Signed,

SEIU Local 73 Members in SSH