We are workers dedicated to providing quality human services and opportunities to live with independence and dignity for the individuals we serve: People with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders; adults with developmental disabilities; individuals struggling to overcome substance abuse addictions and people who are homeless. The essential services we provide help our clients become healthier, more productive members of our community.
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care
Wednesday, July 21st, 6:00 – 8:00pm
PCC Cascade Campus: 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland OR 97217 | Terrel Hall, Room 122
Oregon’s background check system recently went through some major changes. These changes were intended to protect vulnerable people, but had serious unintended consequences. Addictions counselors who are themselves in recovery, individuals who have struggled with mental illness, and many others are disproportionately affected by increasingly stringent background check guidelines. How can we move toward a recovery-oriented system of care? People are coming together for a community forum to talk to legislators about criminal history check policies and their impact on Oregon’s Behavioral Health Care workforce, including minorities and persons in recovery.
Come to the forum to show your support for improving the background check system, hear stories from people affected by these background check laws and to share your own experiences.
Another Victory for Front Line Workers!!
New Criminal Background Check Requirements Delayed for Drug and Alcohol Workers
SEIU Local 503 played a key role in getting the legislature to delay implementation of a new law that would change criminal background check requirements for Drug and Alcohol treatment workers. This law created a list of crimes that would permanently disqualify a person from employment in a wide variety of care settings. See the list of crimes here (PDF download).
SEIU worked closely with allies to make the case to legislators that many of the best drug and alcohol councilors were once addicts themselves and may have criminal record from when they were still using. This personal experience with addiction and recovery has allowed workers to relate with the experience of their clients and build trust. The implementation delay ends with the 2011 legislative session. Work still needs to be done to make the delay permanent and to make criminal back ground check requirements appropriate for each type of care setting.
Do you know someone who will be affected by these new requirements? Together we can solve this problem. The first step is telling your story, and getting your friends and family to tell theirs.
Or call us at 503.772.5846 to set up a meeting to share your story with an Empower Oregon organizer.
Winning measures 66 & 67 was an incredible victory for all Oregonians, especially those who rely on and provide Addictions, Mental Health and Developmental disability services. But we can’t stop now. Simply defending a failing system from further cuts isn’t enough. Empower Oregon continues to unite frontline workers to make changes to improve quality of care. Want to share your ideas about what those changes should look like? Take the Empower Oregon survey here.
