The Cowlitz Indian Tribe has revised its earlier plan to completely assume operations of Columbia River Psychological Well being Companies and can now take over solely the nonprofit’s opioid therapy program.
On July 10, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe introduced it will take over Columbia River Psychological Well being Companies to deal with the monetary challenges that had compelled the nonprofit to reduce some providers earlier this yr. That takeover would have dissolved the nonprofit, Southwest Washington’s oldest behavioral well being supplier.
However in an Aug. 4 memo to the Workplace & Skilled Staff Worldwide Union Native 11 — which represents about 90 Columbia River workers — CEO Craig Pridemore mentioned the organizations had as an alternative agreed to an “alternative framework.” Beneath the brand new plan, Columbia River Psychological Well being Companies will switch solely its NorthStar Clinic to the tribe whereas persevering with to function independently and deal with its core psychological well being providers.
“I am sad to see NorthStar separated from the rest of the agency. Nonetheless, I know that it will continue to serve the community in the future and with far more resources than they ever could have had with (Columbia River Mental Heal Services),” Pridemore mentioned in an Aug. 4 memo to the union. “In many ways, this framework removes their chains and truly gives them an opportunity to fly and to serve. They will always have my love and appreciation.”
NorthStar, 7105 N.E. fortieth St., Vancouver, affords methadone and different drugs to handle opioid withdrawal. As part of the switch, Columbia River Psychological Well being Companies will obtain a money inflow from the tribe to assist financially stabilize the company. The precise quantity has but to be decided, Pridemore mentioned within the memo.
A spokeswoman for the tribe mentioned it’s nonetheless negotiating the phrases of the transition and doesn’t have any further particulars to announce.
The earlier plan, which might have dissolved the nonprofit, would have resulted within the company’s staff dropping their jobs. That’s a part of the explanation Columbia River Psychological Well being Companies sought to change the settlement, Pridemore mentioned. Nevertheless, present NorthStar workers will nonetheless must undergo the tribe’s separate employment course of, he mentioned.
“Under this alternative framework, all the agency’s current services to the community will continue and, hopefully, all our remaining employees will keep their jobs,” Pridemore mentioned within the memo. “That was the commitment I made to you last April. From my perspective and given the situation we were in, this is the most favorable outcome I could have hoped for.”
OPEIU Native 11
In the meantime, OPEIU Native 11 leaders mentioned they continue to be vigilant about any further adjustments within the plan between Columbia River Psychological Well being Companies and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, who’ve been “negotiating the details of the transaction behind closed doors.”
“Over the last two months, our members have been on an emotional roller coaster. Although this latest development is generally positive, it’s another big shift with little notice,” OPEIU Native 11 organizer Mallory Gruben mentioned. “Many employees at the facilities are reasonably skeptical of how certain any promise from (Columbia River Mental Health Services) management really is. Our union will continue to demand transparency through this transition to hold (Columbia River Mental Health Services) accountable to its word.”
The union mentioned present workers had been advised they’d lose their jobs Oct. 1 and should reapply to be able to proceed working on the new facility. Employees had been additionally advised there will probably be no severance packages supplied, based on the union.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe beforehand mentioned present Columbia River workers would have the ability to apply for brand new roles as they develop into accessible.
Columbia River Case Supervisor Shelley McBeath is at present on medical go away however has been with the company for 9 years. McBeath mentioned she worries concerning the stability of shoppers all through this transition. Lots of them have constructed rapport with their case managers and would expertise psychological well being challenges at such an abrupt shift, she mentioned.
In the end, she is optimistic concerning the transition, she mentioned, however desires transparency from each organizations.
“I want to work with my clients, because I love what I do, but I’m also anxious about the management side of it, and what does that look like?” McBeath mentioned. “It’s been around for 80 years. So you don’t have something like that in the community for 80 years and then just close it and not have that have such a ripple effect in the community.”
Gruben mentioned the union will proceed to struggle to make sure the smoothest, fairest transition for all members.
