Pdf/55P-4.Pdf

outreachFEBRUARY / MARCH 2013 California Association of Psychiatric Technicians

Here Comes Stockton! Volume 26, Issue 1 February / March 2013

Brady Oppenheim, Editor Carol Wiesmann, Managing Editor Reminders and Layout Designer IMPORTANT INFO CAPT is represented by & Murch, Bassoff & Associates, Inc. HAVE YOU MOVED? Imagesetting and Printing by YOU MUST TELL THE BVNPT WITHIN 30 DAYS! CPS Publications and Mail Services You have a lot of things to do when you move. But one thing that needs to go at the top of Sacramento, CA your list is notifying your licensing or certifying agency! If you’re moving, write to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians if you’re a Psych Tech, or to the California Department of Public Health if you’re a Psychiatric Technician Assistant with a Outreach is the official publication of CNA certificate, to notify them of your new address. The BVNPT requires that all changes the California Association of Psychiatric of address must be submitted in writing within 30 days of a move, so use this handy Technicians and is printed at least six times form from the Board’s website to make sure your information is current: each year. www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/55p-4.pdf . Having your current address on file is absolutely key if the BVNPT or the CDPH needs to send you time-sensitive information about your license Outreach is published by: or certificate. And don’t forget to tell CAPT too! CAPT Headquarters 1220 ‘S’ Street, Ste 100 Sacramento, CA 95811-7138. ‘HOW DO I GET A REPLACEMENT PT LICENSE?’ Phone: Toll Free (800) 677-CAPT (2278) or locally at (916) 329-9140 How do you get a new one? Simple: Download an “Application for Replacement PT License” from the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians’ website and mail it in CAPT is a non-profit corporation serving as promptly with the appropriate payment. Keep a copy of the form for your records. As with the exclusive representative of all employees licensure renewals sent via mail to the BVNPT, CAPT recommends sending replacement in Psychiatric Technician Bargaining Unit 18 license applications to the BVNPT via U.S. Postal Service certified (green signature card) in California State Civil Service. mail directly to the licensing board. The certified-mail process requires the board staff to sign for and immediately process your paperwork. Here’s something to remember: Even if you’ve lost your license card, you are still licensed by the state for all intents and pur- CAPT is also the professional association for poses. The BVNPT’s online database of licensed Psych Techs will still show you as “clear” all California Psychiatric Technicians. if all of your licensure materials and renewals are otherwise up to date.

How to reach us ... LICENSE-RENEWAL QUESTIONS? CALL THE BVNPT’S DIRECT PT LINE! CAPT Sacramento Headquarters Toll Free (800) 677-CAPT (2278) If you have any questions about your Psych Tech license, contact the or (916) 329-9140 BVNPT’s Psychiatric Technician Licensure Unit using their direct-line (916) 329-9145 (Fax) number: (916) 263-7830. The other number listed in their many mailed documents only lists the Board’s generic phone number. Keep this direct-line number handy for Toll-Free Voice Mail: (800) 926-CAPT (2278) any licensure questions. This number includes voice mail for the State President, all CAPT Chapters and the Corrections Chapter Consultant. Below are their individual numbers and instructions for leaving Planning to retire soon? a message. Instructions on how to leave a message will also be available when you call. Don’t forget that CAPT offers its retired State of California members the same insurance benefits it provides its active members. As a retired member, CAPT will continue to provide -- $5,000 in Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage 2# Tony Myers 7# Fairview 12# Sonoma and $5,000 in Term Life Insurance -- without any age term. 3# Ann Lyles 8# Lanterman 14# Coalinga 4# Corrections 9# Metropolitan 15# Community IMPORTANT: For your insurance to continue after your retirement -- 5# Atascadero 10# Patton Facilities for only $5 per month -- you must contact CAPT Headquarters at (800) 6# Napa 11# Porterville 677-2278 within 31 days of the last day in the month in which you retired. If you fail to do so, your policy will lapse and cannot be reinstated. us at: twitter.com/psychtechs psychtechs.net Check out our catastrophic leave list on our website. Keep abreast of what’s and follow some of our chapters on happening! CAPT updates its website frequently, making sure you have current information on state, department, and CAPT news, at your facility and statewide. 2 - FEBRUARY / MARCH CAPT Board of Directors Sonoma: Sonoma: Porterville: Porterville: Patton: Patton: Napa: Napa: Metropolitan: Metropolitan: Lanterman: Lanterman: Fairview: Fairview: Corrections: Corrections: Community Facilities: Community Facilities: Coalinga: Coalinga: Atascadero: Atascadero: State Secretary-Treasurer State Secretary-Treasurer State VicePresident State VicePresident State President State President [email protected] (707) 938-2795 (Office)/(707)938-8721 (Fax) (707) 934-5881 (Cell) Mail to:POBox148,Eldridge, CA95431-0148 15175 ArnoldDr.,Sonoma Sonoma: [email protected] (559) 781-2278(Office)/ 781-4440(Fax) Mail to: 376 NorthDStreet Porterville: [email protected] (909) 864-1610(Office)/864-1695(Fax) Mail to:POBox680,Patton,CA92369-0680 Patton StateHospital,House#6 Patton: [email protected] (707) 266-4545(Cell) (707) 252-7320(Office)/736-7022(Fax) PO Box10906,Napa,CA94581-2906 Napa: [email protected] (714) 329-7425(Cell)/(562)286-8007(Fax) Mail to:POBox59569,Norwalk,CA90652-0569 Metropolitan StateHospital,11401BloomfieldAve.,Norwalk,CA Metropolitan: [email protected] (909) 595-1085(Office)/598-1387(Fax) 3431 PomonaBlvd.,SteC,Pomona,CA91768-3294 Lanterman: [email protected] (714) 957-5332(Office)/754-1065(Fax) PO Box2796,CostaMesa,CA92628-2796 Office inEmployeeOrg.Rm Fairview: [email protected] (916) 329-9147(Office)/(800)395-2278 Consultant AnnLyles:(909)263-6269(Cell)or [email protected] Jennifer Are:(559)970-2283(Cell) Chapter contacts: 1220 SSt.,Ste100,SacramentoCA95811-7138 Mail to:c/oCAPTHeadquarters Corrections: [email protected] (760-396-8482 Indio CA92201 Mail to:82-204Highway111,SteC#106 Community Facilities: [email protected] (559) 217-6312(Cell)/934-0247(Fax) Mail to:POBox933,Coalinga,CA93210-0933 578 E.ElmSt.,CoalingaCA93210 Coalinga: (805) 861-2390(Fax)[email protected] (805) 235-7832(Cell)/468-2493(Office) PO Box757,Atascadero,CA93423-0757 Atascadero: CHAPTER PRESIDENTS (see Fairviewlisting) State Secretary-Treasurer (see Coalingalisting) State VicePresident (800) 926-CAPT(2278)/[email protected] 3431 PomonaBlvd.,SteC,Pomona,CA91768 State President Sonoma: Sonoma: Porterville: Porterville: Patton: Patton: Napa: Napa: Metropolitan: Metropolitan: Lanterman: Lanterman: Fairview: Fairview: Corrections: Corrections: Community Facilities: Community Facilities: Coalinga: Coalinga: Atascadero: Atascadero: State Secretary-Treasurer State Secretary-Treasurer State VicePresident State VicePresident State President State President STATE OFFICERS

POBox 8703,Porterville,CA93258-8703

Linda Monahan Linda

Mark Cruz Mark

Megan Gordon Megan

Paul Alizaga Paul

Juan Nolasco Juan Mike Simental Mike Jennifer Are Jennifer Brad Whitehead Brad

Paul Hannula Paul Eric Soto Eric Tony Myers Tony

Juan Nolasco Juan Royce Edgington Royce Paul Alizaga Paul Index ON THECOVER: 23 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 17 16 15-16 14 12-13 11 10-11 9 9 8 7 6-7 5 4 4 courtesy ofCDCRandURS. profession toshine.Coverandmagazinephotos the-art facility, whichalsooffers newopportunitiesforour the firstpatientarrivesfortreatmentatthisnewstate-of- HERE COMESSTOCKTON!July22willbethedaywhen Numbers ofNote Catastrophic Leave donations Studies, research&more Know the ABC’s ofFMLA Under ourscope:Gerontological nursing CalPERS updates Want higher payandretirement? Changeranges! appreciationevents Corrections Chapterholdsmembership Be like Don-beasteward! Steward Spotlight onMSH’s DonMagner experiencesofCaliforniaandColorado NSH’s RichardDiascompares hisPsych Tech License andcertificationnews newest“statehospital” Here comesStockton! CheckoutCalifornia’s Can Psych Techs performfingersticks? VOR callsoncongressforchoice Who’s yourinsurancebeneficiary? Around ourstateprisons:staffingchanges CAPT continueseffortsforsafetyinstatehospitals Contract Highlights:OTpaymentissue CAPT headsbacktothebargainingtable Want tobeastate-employed Psych Tech? BU 18members:UsethosePDDdays! View: President’s The FEBRUARY / MARCH -3 Our workisneverdone OUR WORK IS NEVER DONE

I just came back from a those in our care. DSH’s commitment to change and meeting with California Depart- improving safety and working conditions for staff and ment of State Hospitals heads, patients gives me hope for a better future for the job we who shared how they are love. It may not go as quickly as all would wish, and we working with employees at all may uncover further issues along the way, but we have a levels in order to improve plan toward the future, we have a voice in the process safety for everyone working and we are part of an accountable team committed to and residing in these unique and urgently needed making change happen. public-safety facilities. CAPT’s past Porterville Chapter President and The department’s new heads and administrators decades-proud Psych Tech Ed Vartanian wrote in a are bound and determined to create real change in a thank-you note to CAPT Headquarters after his retire- too-long-ignored department whose years of neglect – ment that “our work is never done.” Never were truer despite our best efforts – eventually cost the life of one words spoken: In our professional lives of helping pa- of our own Napa Psychiatric Technician Donna Gross. tients and clients reach that next goal -- and then the next and next – through the continuous cycle of the Many changes have been implemented in the nursing process, and in our lives as union and PT department since Donna’s death. These changes are advocates, as we keep issues moving ever-forward over her true and visible legacy to her coworkers and pa- hurdles and roadblocks, our work is never done. tients. As DSH heads outlined how they wanted everyone’s input and recommendations toward continu- Thank you for the important work you do day in and ously improving state hospitals, I came away from the day out, wherever you are. meeting feeling a commitment and sincerity that I haven’t felt in far too long from other departments. In unity,

DSH’s recent efforts – including its additional commitment to its new therapeutic treatment center in Stockton – brought to my mind the nursing process: We Tony Myers assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate, and CAPT State President then do it over again in a continuous cyclical process, (800) 926-2278 improving or changing as we go in order to best help [email protected]

BU 18 members: Use those PDD days before July 1 Through our one-year contract extension with the state, although it cannot be accumulated. It must be used in the Bargaining Unit 18 members gained two Professional Devel- same fiscal year during which it’s granted, or the time is opment Days to use before July 1, 2013. eliminated. Managers can’t require you to use your PDD With PDDs, the state provides “two days per fiscal year time a certain way, nor can they require you to provide (without loss of compensation) for activities such as profes- verification of what you did on those days. sional association activities, professional and/or personal The Professional Development Days are a great way to development seminars, etc., to promote professional and/or attend professional conferences, classes and seminars, such personal growth and to enhance...goals.” as those that offer credit toward BVNPT-required continuing Permanent Intermittent employees also receive PDD education. time on a prorated basis. So if you haven’t yet used those PDDs, don’t forget to Professional Development Days are requested and do so by July 1. For more information on Professional approved in the same manner as vacation or annual leave, Development Days, contact your chapter office.

4 - FEBRUARY / MARCH ATTENTION: Psychiatric Technicians If you aren’t working for the State of California, join up with us now!

This is a great time to consider a job with a state facility! State Hospitals Working for the state offers many benefits that (Department of State Hospitals) CAPT has negotiated in our union contract, including: Atascadero State Hospital (Atascadero) * Starting pay of more than $50,000 a year * Solid medical, dental & vision benefits Coalinga State Hospital (Coalinga) * A top-notch retirement system Metropolitan State Hospital (Norwalk) * Good vacation & sick leave * State-paid Psych Tech license renewal Napa State Hospital (Napa) * Higher pay for college credits Patton State Hospital (San Bernardino) * Attractive career advancement opportunities. DSH - Stockton (Stockton) With positions open in all three state agencies DSH Specialized Treatment Programs employing Psych Techs, there’s no better time to join (Salinas Valley and Vacaville) the state team. We’ve included phone numbers for the hiring For information on available positions offices of various state facilities. If you have problems and employment contacts for DSH facilities getting through to the right place for employment information and applications, contact the CAPT check out www.dsh.ca.gov/jobs chapter at that facility. The CAPT contacts on page 3 include their phone and toll-free voicemail numbers, Developmental Centers plus e-mail and office addresses. and Community Facilities (Department of Developmental Services) Adult Prisons and Youth Correctional Facilities Canyon Springs Community Facility (Cathedral City) Employment contact: (760) 770-6260 Recruitment for Psychiatric Technicians in California’s dozens of adult prisons is overseen Fairview Developmental Center (Costa Mesa) by California Correctional Health Care Services: Employment contact: (714) 957-5137 (877) 793-HIRE (4473). For recruitment information regarding Porterville Developmental Center (Porterville) California’s youth correctional facilities, contact Employment contact: (559) 782-2087 the California Department of Corrections and Sonoma Developmental Center (Eldridge) Rehabilitation: (888) 232-4584. Employment contact: (707) 938-6538

FEBRUARY / MARCH - 5 Crafting a new contract What’s ahead for Bargaining Unit 18? It’s hard to believe it’s that time again, but it is – it’s time to bargain a new contract! Last year, in light of the state’s ongoing budget concerns, CAPT’s board of directors voted to propose extending our current contract one more year instead of going back to the bargaining table that spring as planned. The state-approved extension did include some positive changes we requested in the form of health-care contribution improvements, helping provide some relief to benefit increases, as well as vacation-bid improvements and a much-needed audit and cash-out of departments’ Compensated Time Off. “The extension allowed us to prevent takeaways, to preserve our rights and to look toward 2013 for more contract progress,” said CAPT State President Tony Myers. Even with last year’s extension improvements, there’s still so much more to do. That’s why we’re looking forward to getting back to the bargaining table in order to keep the positive changes moving forward. Although the state budget is in a much better place this year – thanks in large part to the passage of CAPT-supported Proposition 30 in November – it doesn’t mean our team members will get to kick back and relax at the bargaining table: Governor Brown continues to call for fiscal caution even in light of the proposition’s passage. So our team has its work cut out for it when it comes to working toward pay and benefit improvements, but they’re ready to work on our behalf. And our contract isn’t just about dollars and cents in our pockets – it’s fundamentally about rights. Many of the issues included in our contract are entirely non-monetary items geared toward improving conditions at our facilities for ourselves and, by extension, those who depend on our services. Safety and staffing continue to be interrelated issues at the top of our bargaining priority list. “Every single right in our contract – literally every single word – had to be fought for by Bar- gaining Unit 18 members over the years,” said Myers, a Lanterman Senior Psych Tech. “And those doing the fighting aren’t separate from us: They are our coworkers who will also be affected by the final product. All of us on the team take the whole process very, very seriously – there’s a lot at stake.” YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Time and again, our bargaining-team members report how important it is to feel they have support back at their worksites. Away from their homes and families and facing adversarial state representatives, our team members – which include all of our chapter presidents – are greatly strengthened knowing their coworkers have their backs. continued on page 7 ~

6 - FEBRUARY / MARCH ~ continued from page 6 Specific scenario helps shed light Patton Chapter President Mark Cruz on timely OT payment issue is returning to the bargaining table as a longtime member of our team. He notes CAPT reps continue to work on the how his chapter’s vocal activism and issue of late overtime payments in state service, but a specific timing scenario interest always means a great deal to him could be at the root of when OT pay- and everyone else on our side as they ments will be made. work for change on everyone’s behalf. For more than two years, union representatives have been seeking infor- “Changes to our contract are gener- mation from the State Controller’s Office ated by our membership at the facility as to why some of our bargaining unit level – through requests, surveys, and filed members – frequently in state prisons -- complaints and grievances – and I’m proud have their regular pay processed in a to say that Patton Chapter members have timely fashion, but have overtime processed and paid two weeks later. Reps have met with departmental and presented ideas that were successfully Controller’s Office staff seeking answers as to why this is adopted at past negotiations,” he said. “I continues to happen according to reports from various cor- look forward to sitting at the negotiating rectional facilities across the state, especially as improperly table again and fighting for changes that late payments of overtime could violate federal wage laws. will benefit bargaining unit members Through exhaustive research and calendaring, union reps believe they have cracked the mystery as to why this statewide.” issue continues to occur. By law, state Bargaining Unit 18 members are paid overtime, not upon working more than 8 You can make a difference by... hours per day, but upon working more than 40 hours in our workweek. If a BU 18 member works their regular work time • BEING A MEMBER – Don’t be fooled: during the first pay period of the month – as those in our State representatives keep an eye on bargaining unit are paid twice a month – and then works CAPT’s membership numbers to gauge overtime in the last few days of the first pay period of the month, and then is sick or absent for the first few days of how supportive Bargaining Unit 18 mem- the second pay period, that middle-month week does not bers are of our union and our efforts. If add up to more than 40 hours of time worked and the over- you’re not a full union member, now’s the time worked is held until the second pay period. time to sign up and show strength in If this overtime was not carried over to the second pay numbers. period’s paycheck and was paid on the current check and an employee was sick or absent in the first days of the next • BEING A STEWARD – Stewards are our pay period, CDCR would run the possibility of employees having to pay money back if the remainder of the employee’s Contract Highlights the foundation of a strong union, and the 40-hour workweek was not in fact worked. This lag-time more we have, the stronger and more scenario actually helps protect workers from having to pay visible we are. Contact your chapter office money back to the department if they are sick or out during to sign up for the next free steward train- the first few days of the second pay period. However, it should be noted that if you have an ing and find out more about your contract approved day off in that workweek rights and your union’s role. and are mandated, that time counts toward hours worked, • GETTING INVOLVED – We’ll be keep- except for sick time. ing everyone updated with the latest CAPT reps will continue to bargaining news via fliers, seek clarifications from the Controller’s Office and CDCR on www.psychtechs.net and twitter.com/ this ongoing issue and are still psychtechs. And our chapter offices will gathering information, so if you be holding important meetings and events have overtime that you believe to to keep you updated and to show our have been paid late, contact support for our team. Stay in touch with CAPT consultant Ann Lyles at (800) 395-2278 or by email at

Information on timely payment of wages is located in the 2010-2012 CAPT Contract your chapter for the latest! [email protected]. Article 4.9, Page 20 FEBRUARY / MARCH - 7 CAPT continues its efforts to improve safety for patients and staff in our state hospitals. Here are just a few examples of what we’re working on right now...

LEGISLATION WOULD EXPAND UPDATE: STAFFING IMPROVEMENTS USE OF ENHANCED TREATMENT UNITS TAKING HOLD AT COALINGA

CAPT and SEIU Local 1000 are cosponsoring More permanent staff are coming onboard to legislation that would take the most assaultive patients Coalinga State Hospital, thanks to the efforts of chapter out of the general population and place them in En- activists and the California Department of State Hospi- hanced Treatment Units. tals. Authored by Atascadero State Hospital-area As- As previously reported in Outreach, CSH was sembly Member Katcho Achadjian, Assembly Bill 1340 using costly registry staff to backfill dozens of vacan- would create Enhanced Treatment Units at all California cies at the Fresno County facility, which cares primarily state hospitals, similar to the ETU currently being piloted for patients defined as Sexually Violent Predators. Not at ASH. However, while the ASH program requires the only was the registry work needlessly expensive for sickest individuals to be treated in the ETU, the legisla- taxpayers – totalling in the tens of millions of dollars – it tion would broaden the units’ populations to include also stood to affect patient and staff safety with the patients with the most assaultive or violent behaviors. endless cycling in and out of registry employees unfa- The legislation came about miliar with Coalinga’s specialized forensic population. as the result of ongoing Coalinga Chapter President and CAPT State assaults rising to the level Vice President Juan Nolasco worked with CAPT’s of felonies, but failing to attorney to file a contracting-out complaint be prosecuted by local district with the State Personnel Board, attorneys because of the difficulty in which brought an immedi- convicting state-hospital patients for ate response from the assaults. After the DA declines to prosecute, Department of State Hospi- patients are referred back to their original facility, and tals. DSH heads met with assaultive cycles begin again. The ETU idea would allow Nolasco and other CAPT professional staff to provide enhanced treatment in a representatives and pledged to work with the union to safe and secure fashion while removing the most dis- fill the vacancies properly, and the department is ruptive patients from the general population, while at the making good on its word: To date, more than 70 inter- same time allowing patients who need treatment the views have been conducted and more than 30 vacan- most to receive that treatment free from violence. cies have been filled with permanent state Psychiatric All members of the Safety Now Coalition of state- Technicians. hospital unions have endorsed this legislation and are Nolasco and other chapter activists will continue working together toward its passage. We’ll keep you to work on this issue. For more information, contact the updated on its progress in the Capitol. Coalinga Chapter office at (559) 217-6312.

For more information on safety issues and how you can help us make a difference wherever you work, contact your chapter office.

8 - FEBRUARY / MARCH CAPT activists, reps iron out realignment staffing changes As of press time, CAPT choice: On the heels of this first ers and placing them on rehire activists and representatives letter, another letter came to af- lists. Several employees with a were working closely with state fected employees choosing this variety of seniority scores took departments to ensure state- option describing what is called the advantage of this option, prison employees affected by “Secondary Placement Process,” oftentimes allowing those with realignment-related downsizing which outlined vacancies through- less seniority and otherwise had their reemployment wishes out the state available for bid and slated for layoff to stay on in finalized and properly imple- award based upon seniority their original positions. mented. With the Secondary Placement Employees affected by The downsizing process Process idea created by Correc- downsizing also are eligible for went forward in two steps: First, tions Chapter activists and col- per-diem payments, manage- options letters were mailed to laborated upon with the California ment efforts to honor pre- affected employees, which gave Department of Human Resources approved leaves and dispute- workers the choice of moving to and California Correctional Health resolution steps. positions within their county or Care Services, our organization the choice of accepting resigna- was the only state-employee union For the latest information tion, retirement or layoff. If to have a state-adopted plan first on this issue, contact CAPT there was nothing available in seeking volunteers to relocate and consultant Ann Lyles at their county on the options fill several dozen available prison (800) 395-2278 or letter, employees marked a vacancies statewide, rather than [email protected]. resignation/retirement/layoff by simply laying off valuable work- Who’s your insurance beneficiary? Here’s the phone call we don’t want to take We don’t know either, unless you tell us! Staff at CAPT Headquarters have been deal- Here is a telephone call that is painful to take: Someone calls ing with some concerning situations lately: Some CAPT Headquarters after a retired state Psych Tech has passed away, CAPT members have retained their life-insurance asking about life-insurance-benefit assistance, only to be told that, benefit and have passed away, but had not updated because the retiree did not carry CAPT membership into retirement, their insurance beneficiaries in some time, meaning the union is unable to assist with these final financial needs. the benefits have gone to ex-spouses or others mem- We at CAPT again urgently remind state Bargaining Unit 18 bers may not have wished after years have passed members: If you are thinking of retiring or have just retired in since they last designated a beneficiary. the past few weeks, please call CAPT Headquarters if you want By law, our insurance carrier must award to continue these benefits. Each time we are notified of a retirement insurance funds to the person you have designated through the State Controller’s Office, we follow up with a reminder on your signed membership application card. Pe- letter and retiree membership application to the member. For your riod. insurance to continue after retirement – for only $5 per month – you And if you do not designate an insurance ben- must return this application or contact CAPT Headquarters eficiary and leave that portion of the membership within 31 days of the last day of the month in which you retired. application blank, the insurance benefit will be If you fail to do so, your policy for $5,000 term-life benefits and awarded to your general estate, not to a particular additional $5,000 for accidental death/dismemberment benefits will person. lapse and cannot be reinstated. But sometimes even those notices Make things easier on yourself and your loved from the Controller’s Office come too late. So if you’re retiring and ones: Take some time to call CAPT Headquarters wish to continue your life-insurance benefit, please contact us immedi- at (800) 677-2278 and double-check your insur- ately. We’re happy to help! ance beneficiary today. FEBRUARY / MARCH - 9 Ann Knighton with Georgia Congressman John Barrow.

National family group calls on Congress for choice

The only national group advocating for a full range of Knighton called on members of Congress to immedi- quality residential and service choices for people with de- ately hold hearings on the taxpayer-funded anti-choice ac- velopmental disabilities is calling on Congress to investi- tivities of Protection & Advocacy and DD Council organiza- gate violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and tions, which she contended are in clear violation of federal other laws by federal agencies. law as well as tragically ironic, given that they are federal programs aimed at closing fully federally accredited devel- Representatives of VOR wrote letters to all new and opmental centers. returning members of the 113th United States Congress in order to highlight executive-level agencies’ deliberate mis- “DOJ and AIDD programs’ lawsuits and activities to dis- representations of the ADA and the Developmental Dis- mantle specialized facilities continue despite clear federal abilities Act as well as abuse of their governmental power law and even though there is well-documented evidence of as they continue their campaigns to close developmental harm – and even death – to the displaced individuals,” she centers, which are home to thousands of Americans with wrote. “It is time for Congress to investigate.” developmental disabilities. A VOICE FOR CHOICE “The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Divi- sion and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- Since our inception, CAPT has held that all residential vices’ Administration on Intellectual and Developmental and service choices should be left to people with develop- Disabilities – through its Protection & Advocacy and DD mental disabilities and their family members and conserva- Council programs – proactively seek total closure of li- tors, not to federally funded attorneys. censed facilities,” wrote VOR President Ann Knighton, For more than three decades, VOR has shared our be- whose 45-year-old daughter Erica has lived at Georgia’s lief. Advocating for thousands of members with representa- federally licensed Gracewood Developmental Center since tion in every state, the family-based organization continues 1972. “These closure activities are pursued regardless of to work toward on both the state and national stages for the the degree of disability and in complete disregard for indi- highest quality care possible, wherever it may take place. For vidual and family/court-appointed guardian choice.” more information on VOR and its activities, visit www.vor.net.

10 - FEBRUARY / MARCH Even the ‘Can Psych Techs U.S. Supreme Court perform fingersticks?’ supports choice! The question of whether California Psychiat- ric Technicians can perform fingersticks has been The U.S. Supreme Court, in its milestone 1999 Olmstead an occasionally recurring one over the years at ruling, recognized the need for a range of services which CAPT Headquarters, but the answer is always “yes.” respond to the varied and unique needs of the entire disability This scope-of-practice question was exhaus- community, such as people with developmental disabilities: tively researched in 2004, when a Psych Tech working in a general hospital who’d been doing Unjustified institutionalization is discrimination based on (1) fingerstick blood-glucose tests for years contacted disability. 119 S. Ct. 2176, 2185 (1999). CAPT after a lab technician informed him that he could no longer legally do them. He was told a new The Supreme Court held that community placement is (2) law of the time said no employee could use a lan- only required and appropriate (i.e., institutionalization is cet to pierce a patient’s finger for a blood speci- unjustified), when – “(a) the State’s treatment professionals men unless he or she is certified as a basic phle- have determined that community placement is appropriate;(b) botomist. the transfer from institutional care to a less restrictive setting CAPT staff researched the issue, finding that is not opposed by the affected individual; and(c) the place- it most likely stemmed from a misunderstanding ment can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account about a 40-page health-program law that took ef- the resources available to the State and the needs of others fect in 2001 that included a single specific sentence: with mental disabilities.” 119 S. Ct. at 2181. The law added a section to the California Business and Professions Code regulating clinical laboratory A majority of Justices in Olmstead recognized an ongoing (3) technologists, making it a crime for anyone to “per- role for publicly and privately-operated institutions: “We form venipuncture, skin puncture or arterial punc- emphasize that nothing in the ADA or its implementing regula- ture to collect a biological specimen” unless autho- tions condones termination of institutional settings for persons rized by the lab-tech law “or under other provisions unable to handle or benefit from community settings...Nor is of the law.” there any federal requirement that community-based treat- CAPT representatives contacted our licensure ment be imposed on patients who do not desire it.” 119 S. Ct. board, the California Board of Vocational Nursing at 2187. and Psychiatric Technicians, for clarification. A BVNPT attorney checked into the matter and con- A plurality of Justices noted:“No placement outside the (4) cluded that the Psychiatric Technician Law is one institution may ever be appropriate . . . ‘Some individuals, that provides the required authority and that whether mentally retarded or mentally ill, are not prepared at fingersticks are not considered procedures that particular times-perhaps in the short run, perhaps in the long require special certification. run-for the risks and exposure of the less protective environ- Specifically, the BVNPT advised CAPT that ment of community settings’ for these persons, ‘institutional “Psychiatric Technicians who possess the knowl- settings are needed and must remain available’” (quoting edge, skills and ability to practice safely and com- Amicus Curiae Brief for the American Psychiatric Association, petently may perform ‘pin-prick’ skin punctures for et al). 521 U.S. at 604-604; 119 S. Ct. at 2189. “As already the purpose of obtaining blood samples for testing observed by the majority, the ADA is not reasonably read to based on a physician’s order. Blood-withdrawal cer- impel States to phase out institutions, placing patients in need tification is not required to allow the PT to perform of close care at risk....‘Each disabled person is entitled to this procedure.” treatment in the most integrated setting possible for that CAPT reps recently contacted the BVNPT person — recognizing on a case-by-case basis, that setting again to revisit this issue. A board nursing-educa- may be an institution’[quoting VOR’s Amici Curiae brief].” Id. tion consultant – who specializes in educational and scope-of-practice issues – responded that, not only Justice Kennedy noted in his concurring opinion, “It would (5) were the 2004 research and findings still current be unreasonable, it would be a tragic event, then, were the and accurate, but also that “lab technicians do not Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to be interpreted have authority to define or interpret the PT scope so that states had some incentive, for fear of litigation to drive of practice.” those in need of medical care and treatment out of appropri- For questions on Psychiatric Technician scope- ate care and into settings with too little assistance and super- of-practice issues, contact the BVNPT’s nursing- vision.” 119 S. Ct. at 2191. education office at (916) 263-7843 or contact CAPT Headquarters at (800) 677-2278. FEBRUARY / MARCH - 11 Here comes Stockton!

State-of-the-art facility includes California’s newest ‘state hospital’ July 22, 2013, will be here before we know it: That’s the day that the first patient will set foot in what’s being called “California Health Care Facility - Stockton.” A joint venture of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Depart- ment of State Hospitals and California Prison Health Care Services – the federal receivership oversee- ing medical and mental-health improvements in California prisons – the new facility represents a state-of-the-art hybrid of correctional, medical and mental-health care. The larger CHCF-Stockton facility will contain what is being considered California’s newest “state hospital,” namely “California Department of State Hospitals - Stockton” consisting of nine buildings with 17 treatment units providing a wide variety of mental-health services.

MORE THAN 400 PTS NEEDED While some Psych Techs will be employed in a single As part of the 2,400 State of California employees who crisis unit overseen by CDCR, the vast majority of the will serve a population of more than 1,500 round the clock, hundreds hired will be working in the facility’s several mental- more than 400 Psychiatric Technicians will be there playing health units. Each the approximate size of a football field, the a key role in providing a “constitutional” level of mental-health fully licensed and accredited unit buildings will feature offices, care for correctional patients, all of whom will be coming to treatment and group rooms, safety and observation cells, the CHCF-Stockton directly from other state correctional centralized nursing and security stations and their own facilities. outdoor areas in a primarily self-contained design.

12 - FEBRUARY / MARCH Psychiatric Technicians will be the primary providers for direct- care nursing and therapeutic services on the mental-health units, much as we currently are in California’s other state hospitals. Unit staffing will include Psychiatric Technicians, Senior Psychiatric Technicians and Unit Supervisors. A few Correctional Officers also will be included on each unit to assist with escorts and will be considered part of the larger treatment team, reflecting the facility’s hybrid role. All new Stockton employees, regardless of classification, will take part in a three-day training aimed at emphasizing the facility’s innova- tive combination of both correctional and health-care cultures. The entire mission of CHCF-Stockton is to create a supportive and therapeutic milieu, and California Psych Techs are excited and honored to help make that mission a reality.

“This facility will really give our members and our profession an opportunity to shine on a national level,” said CAPT State President Tony Myers, who with other CAPT activists and representa- ! Photos courtesy of CDCR and URS. tives has been working on and anticipating CHCF-Stockton’s opening for years. “We’re licensed, educated and dedicated to making a Check out the facility’s ongoing difference at Stockton.” construction progress at www.chcfstockton.com.

ChCf-Stockton by the numbers • 1,722 – Number of beds; 514 are allocated for those with mental-health Interested in working needs Interested in working • 1.2 million – Total square footage of facility space at Chcf-Stockton? • 400 – Total acreage of CHCF-Stockton For recruitment information, contact • 2,400 – Number of facility employees when fully activated the Department of State Hospitals • More than 400 – Number of Psychiatric Technicians to be employed at www.dsh.ca.gov/stockton/jobs or www.changingprisonhealthcare.org • $1 billion – Positive economic impact to the surrounding area from construction alone • $220 million – Positive annual impact to surrounding area from employee salaries and economic activity • July 22, 2013 – First patient will arrive at Stockton for care • December 31, 2013 – Entire facility is full and operational.

FEBRUARY / MARCH - 13 KEEPING YOU UPDATED on license certification news... PT REELECTED AS SAVE TIME – RENEW ONLINE! BVNPT PRESIDENT &To streamline license renewals, the Board of Vocational Todd D’Braunstein has Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians has launched an online been reelected president of our renewal option. regulatory board, the California The already popular service allows those whose licenses Board of Vocational Nursing expire within 60 days or whose licenses are delinquent less than and Psychiatric Technicians. two years from the last expiration date to renew and pay A Patton State Hospital charges online for a $1 convenience fee. Unit Supervisor, D’Braunstein To use the new service or to find out more, visit also is a longtime member of www.bvnpt.ca.gov, e-mail the board at [email protected] or the board. He first was elected board president last call the board s Psychiatric Technician Licensure Unit directly year: the first time the BVNPT ever had been at (916) 263-7830. headed by a Psychiatric Technician. At this time, the Department of Public Health doesn t have “I really appreciate the confidence and a similar online system for those with CNA certificates. support my fellow Board members showed in electing me as president,” he said. “This is my second term as president, and with the new legislative cycle along with continuous budget concerns impacting all of us, I am looking forward to the challenge of this year. As always, public protection is our highest priority, and that priority will not be changing. “I would also like to mention that our meetings are public and held throughout the state. It is always great to see CAPT representatives, Psychiatric Technicians, Licensed Vocational Nurses, students and the public in attendance and Although no longer working as a Psychiatric Technician, CAPT Consultant taking part in these meetings.” Ann Lyles keeps her license current. This year she took advantage of Find out more about BVNPT members, renewing online, demonstrating the process above, finding it simple and meetings and activities at www.bvnpt.ca.gov. receiving her new license in little more than a week.

YOUR STATE FACILITY DOESN’T HAVE TO TAKE YOU BACK

CAPT activists and reps continue to get calls for facility is not required to rehire you once you do assistance from state Bargaining Unit 18 members who eventually renew it. have not renewed their licenses or certificates in a timely Don t forget: The state is required by our contract manner. to reimburse Bargaining Unit 18 members for the costs of While CAPT is the only state employee union that these renewals. also helps members with licensure and certification needs, there is only so much we can do when someone Not having a license or certificate can cost you your does not renew their license or certificate on time. job and your livelihood. Get those renewals turned Having a current license or certificate is a around A.S.A.P.! requirement to work in a state facility. If your license or certificate has expired, while CAPT will For more information on these issues, contact your

LATE IN RENEWING? LATE work to convince your supervisors otherwise, your chapter office.

14 - DECEMBER / JANUARY From California to Colorado and back again Richard Dias compares, contrasts states’ PT experiences

When Senior Psychiatric Technician Richard Dias • Videotaping – The was laid off from the State of California’s Sierra Vista Com- Pueblo hospital has 24-hour munity Facility when it closed in 2009, he found it was videotaped surveillance every- time for a major life change. where. “Everything is video- “I was upset with California,” said Dias, who taped, and a policy team had worked at Sierra Vista for seven meets after reviewing video- years and who was tired of cuts taped takedowns interventions and the eventual closure of his to see if anything could be developmental-services facility. done differently or improved. “I did my Colorado licensure There are cameras down ev- paperwork and sent it in and they ery single wing and in the re- sent me my license.” straint room, and they all can He had read about Colorado’s version of Psychi- be watched from a Star-Trek- atric Technician licensure in Outreach, and was in- style computer console, which also can lock all doors. trigued by the state and its facilities, so he made the Here in California, we must be in-person and line-of-sight.” move to the Rocky Mountain State. • Responsibilities – Dias’ main responsibilities as In 2010, Dias was hired on at the Mental Health Institute a Health Care Technician I included passing medications at Pueblo: one of Colorado’s two state hospitals. He reports one day a week, doing rounds, doing laundry and sitting that the brand-new Pueblo forensic unit at the 300-acre facil- with patients during meals. “The main thing was rounds – ity was impressive and “truly state-of-the-art.” every 15 minutes,” said Dias. “We weren’t allowed to fa- “It ran well; it looked good; it was professional,” he said. cilitate groups – I don’t know why.” STATES’ DIFFERENCES • Promotional opportunities – “In Colo- Upon his Colorado licensure, move and rado, Psych Techs weren’t allowed to be in employment, Dias found many changes in charge: The highest you could go was a store. Differences between the states in- ‘Health Care Technician III.’ RNs with very little cluded: psych experience are the ones in charge. I came from being a Senior Psych Tech, shift • Licensure – While Colorado has a lead and trainer helping run the show at Si- state training, licensure and regulatory program for its erra Vista to not having responsibility.” Psychiatric Technicians similar to our state, the license is different from California’s in that the specialty is split: • Pay – “We were paid about $13 an hour once a Where we are licensed in both developmental disabilities month. Granted, the cost of living is different, but that was and mental illnesses, Colorado Psych Techs choose to be way less than half of what we make in California.” trained and licensed in either one or the other. Dias chose • Weather and geography – Dias found the Colo- to go the mental-health route as he felt “there’d probably be rado snow and winter weather extremely difficult and dan- more hospitals for that.” He applied for that type of Colo- gerous for commuting, and the “high desert, cactus and rado license, which was awarded three months later. With tumbleweed” wasn’t appealing. that license in hand, he applied to the Pueblo state hospital and was hired within two weeks of his interview as a “Health MAKING A DIFFERENCE Care Technician I.” BACK IN CALIFORNIA • Training – As someone with past training experi- Seeking increased profes- ence, Dias enjoyed and was challenged by the nearly- sional responsibility, improved every-other-day, on-the-spot trainings at the Pueblo facil- pay and less snow, Dias moved ity. “They had people doing mock drills right then and there back to California in January on the floor: CPR, bleeding, suicide attempts and more. 2012. He now works at Napa State Hospital (once Then, after the mock trainings, they’d immediately go over again as a Senior Psychiatric Technician), is a re- their findings with you. I really appreciated that.” cently appointed CAPT steward and now is working

Continued on page 16 -- FEBRUARY / MARCH - 15 -- Continued from page 15 as part of the facility’s new grounds- presence team, which provides on-the- steward spotlight scene interventions and aid to patients Don Magner, and staff throughout the facility. As part Psychiatric Technician, of the team, he is responding to numer- Metropolitan State Hospital ous calls via the hospital’s recently in- stalled alarm system, which he says is HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A STATE working very well. EMPLOYEE? “When you have alarms on the I’ve been a state employee for 36 years. I’ve units, you have people there in a very worked at Napa State Hospital, Lanterman De- short time,” he said. “We’re respond- velopmental Center, Camarillo State Hospital, Met- ing to alarms; we’ve improved safety – ropolitan State Hospital, Patton State Hospital and Fairview Developmen- we make a difference on a daily basis.” tal Center. The only developmental centers or state hospitals I haven’t He appreciated the learning expe- worked at are Coalinga State Hospital and Porterville and Sonoma Devel- rience Colorado and the Pueblo hospi- opmental Centers. I’ve gone to those facilities to relocate programs, but tal provided him, but he’s glad to be they “borrowed” me. back in the Golden State. “The hospital was amazing – the HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A CAPT STEWARD? people were amazing – but it wasn’t I’ve been involved since CAPT’s inception: I was the first elected Met- conducive to growth,” he said. “I dig ropolitan Chapter president. mental health and I really enjoyed it WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A STEWARD? there, but my heart wanted to come back to California.” The thing about CAPT when we started was that CAPT also addressed our professional issues along with fairness in the workplace. We did everything we could to make our license more valuable, and that was very CAPT continues important to me. CAPT was able to bridge both the issues of professional- campaign for licensure ism and union representation: I don’t think there’s a union in state service that can claim what we do. Our union’s reputation is impeccable: We are When the State of Colorado sought clearly one of the most respected organizations in California, I believe. to stop licensing its Psych Techs in 2008, CAPT swung into action. Our organiza- WHAT ARE SOME STEWARD ACTIVITIES YOU ENJOY DOING? tion joined with Colorado Psychiatric I really enjoy direct representation and being proactive. I let peers Technicians calling to uphold their licen- know which path to take: I’m able to say something rather than just the sure, and we were successful in our com- supervisor, and it’s imperative that we are Psych Techs are part of that bined efforts. peer review. I like the negotiation end of the union as well. But the biggest Colorado is only one of four states thing is just actively listening to employees: That can get rid of so many – the others being California, Arkansas problems. As a steward, I think the ability to listen is the biggest asset I’ve and Kansas – that regulate Psychiatric got – not just my knowledge base. Technicians and related direct-care staff. However, California’s regulation is the WHAT DO YOU SAY TO YOUR COWORKERS TO highest in the United States. ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET INVOLVED IN THE UNION? As part of our ongoing efforts, each I say how I feel about the organization and its importance – the impor- year, California Psychiatric Technicians tance of having somebody there during counseling or when supervisors travel to Washington, D.C., to make our have no regard for the system itself. There needs to be a voice: We’re case and ask members of Congress, “Ev- supporting our peers and our profession. ery state trains, regulates and licenses those who cut hair, sell homes and do WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? taxes – why aren’t we asking at least A lot of people know the two albums I’ve done: I sing and do the the same of those who care for our background music – ballads, love songs, oldies – and have my own re- most vulnerable populations?” cording studio. I use my skills at CAPT and even have done steward- CAPT will continue its national and training videos. I’m also open with patients and staff with my sexual orien- state-specific efforts toward increased tation in order to assist those going through their own inner hell: I was and improved Psych Tech licensure and instrumental in creating the first support group for gay and lesbian pa- direct-care professionalism. For more in- tients at Metro – we had to go all the way to the executive director on it, formation or to get involved, contact your and CAPT supported me. chapter office.

16 - FEBRUARY / MARCH Be like Don – be a steward! You know that a building is only as strong as its foundation. In a union, our stewards are our foundation. And the more stewards we have, the stronger we are. While CAPT currently has a core of dedicated, hard- working stewards, more is always better. That’s why we need you. Stewards aren’t just contract enforcers and grievance handlers. Stewards also are grassroots leaders for change, working together with chapter officers on issues facing our facilities, our clients and our services. But even if you don’t decide to become a full steward, the free steward training empowers you with vital information about your rights on Several Porterville Chapter CAPT members the job. came to our February 26th training. There’s nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain. Contact your chapter office today to find out more about steward training.

Be a part of a team of dedicated people who Napa Chapter union members got empowered and educated protect and expand rights and enhance our at a January 30 event. profession!

Corrections Chapter hosting regional events CAPT Corrections Chapter officers are organizing a series of fun networking events. The events are geared to give state prison Psych Corrections Chapter President Techs the chance to mingle while Jennifer Are (SATF) and and Chapter Treasurer Patricia McNeil finding out the latest chapter hap- (CIW) welcomes Central California penings. attendees. To find out about upcoming events, contact Chapter President Jennifer Are at (559)970-2283 or at [email protected].

BU18 members enjoyed a January 12 chapter event.

CAPT’s Fairview Chapter created gourmet cupcakes for the January event.

FEBRUARY / MARCH - 17 Want higher pay and retirement? Make a range change!

It is possible to get a big raise, even in these tough economic times? We say, ‘Yes!’ By taking some community-college-level courses, you can increase your pay in state service by changing your range. As outlined in our contract’s Article 4.3: • Employees at Range A/Range P/Range S who complete the equivalent of 15 qualifying semester units of job-related courses from an accredited college or university qualify for Range B/Range Q/ Range T. • Employees at Range B/Range Q/Range R who complete the equivalent of 15 additional qualifying semester units of job-related courses from an accredited college or university qualify for Range C/ Range R/Range U.* You must get grades of C or better for the courses to count. While some other state employees must wait for specified time periods to pass before changing their ranges, our system allows Bargaining Unit 18 members to move up pay ranges as quickly as possible while enhancing our professionalism and job experience. This process became even speedier for PTs and SPTs following 2007’s range-step elimination, which was part of that year’s major pay-raise wins. And don’t forget: Higher pay ranges also mean higher retirement and overtime credit. What’s more, pay raises gained from range changes are guaranteed by our contract. State budget problems can’t keep you from getting what you earned through your education. “With online courses, it’s now much easier to have a job, have a life and go to school,” said CAPT State President Tony Myers, a Lanterman SPT. “If you want a guaranteed 10-percent raise, this is one great way to do it.” For more information, especially including any facility-specific requirements or procedures, contact your CAPT chapter office.

* Different range letters currently are used in different state departments. ‘What classes can I take?’ There’s a whole range of classes you can take toward getting a range change, such as: • Anthropology • Life Science • Art • Nursing • Chemistry • Psychology • Education • Sociology • Ethnic Studies • Speech • Guidance • Writing • Languages Pick up a full list from your personnel office.

18 - FEBRUARY / MARCH CALPERS ASKS, ‘ARE YOUR HEALTHCARE DEPENDENTS UP TO DATE?’

CalPERS is kicking off an effort to ensure all members’ healthcare dependents should actually be on their insurance rolls.

The agency will be conducting eligibility verifications of members’ dependents starting in March, when CalPERS will write to health-plan enrollees calling for supporting documentation for their dependents.

If you have a dependent who mistakenly still is enrolled as a healthcare dependent, CalPERS will be holding an amnesty period until June 30, 2013, so enrollees can cancel ineligible dependents’ enrollments at no cost prior to that time. Members who do not submit proper dependent verification documents to CalPERS during this time will have these dependents disenrolled from their health plan and may be subject to incurred costs.

Watch your mail for more information from CalPERS, or contact CalPERS at (888) Cal-PERS (225-7377). Quick facts from CalPERS The Califonria Public Employees’ Retirement System is working to dispel pension myths with facts. Find out more facts at www.calpersresponds.com.

FEBRUARY / MARCH - 19 As we Psychiatric Technicians know, the And through our nursing specialty, we are professional care we provide isn’t age-specific: even ready to help those older Californians who We’re licensed to provide a variety of unique also have mental illnesses or developmental medical and therapeutic services to all who need disabilities. them. And an increasing number of those who need Don’t forget that CAPT is the professional them are older Californians. organization for all Psychiatric Technicians in Gerontological nursing encompasses special California. For more information on our unique care needs for those over the age of 65. Some of scope of practice, contact the California Board of those special needs we’re educated and licensed to Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians recognize and address for this population include: at (916) 263-7837 or call CAPT Headquar- ters at (800)(800) 677677-2278-2278. • Pressure injuries, such as pressure ulcers, lesions and bedsores • Cardiovascular disease California State Plan on Aging • Respiratory issues California State Plan on Aging • Genitourinary issues, including 2009 - 2013 urinary incontinenceand tract infections as well as prostate disease and prostate cancer • Diabetes • Thyroid issues • Delirium • Dizziness and balance concerns • Stroke. Gerontological nursing

Chart courtesy of the California Department of Aging

Can’t get enough of our scope of practice? Download our brochure CAPT has a handy downloadable brochure available all about our unique scope of practice. Get a free copy today at the following: http://bit.ly/YTKT7I . UNDER UNDER OUR SCOPE For multiple copies, contact CAPT Headquarters at (800) 677-2278.

Got a pet? Oops ... In the December/January issue of Outreach, a list of job Save at the vet! stewards were provided for each chapter. The list for Napa was printed in error. Below is a corrected list for the chapter. BETTER than pet insurance! • All pets eligible regardless of age or medical condition Patricia Bliton Sarvjet Goswami George Sanchez • GUARANTEED savings of 20–50% on every visit Richard Byrd III Reginald Hodges Santiago Serrato • Extremely affordable at less than $10/month Diane Carpenter Michael Jarschke Melva Wright • No deductibles or claim forms Lisa Crawford Cecelia Jasch (through 03/17/13) Chrisopher Cullen O’Bryan Lewis Nina Dalao Kimberly Michael Those stewards in Khristina Delgado Linda Monahan bold type are also For more information, or to sign up: Richard Dias Michelle Palmer LESS chapter officers. THAN www.unitedpetcare.com/capt Kathy Gonzalez-Knox Anthony Ret $10/mo. 949-916-7374 Toll Free 1-888-781-6622 20 - FEBRUARY / MARCH Know the ABC’s of FMLA

The Family and Medical Leave Act was signed into law by FmarksM 20th anniversaryLA President Bill Clinton in 1993. Before the implementation of FMLA, employees could lose their jobs if they had a serious illness, and February 2013 marked the 20th it wasn’t uncommon for people to endanger their health by return- anniversary of the signing of the landmark ing to work too soon. Many people were forced to choose Family and Medical Leave Act into fed- between caring for their health and families or keeping their jobs. eral law, and to recognize the occasion, FMLA was implemented to address this intolerable situation. Now the U.S. Department of Labor released with the Act, qualifying employees are entitled to up to 12 work- new survey findings on the law’s usage weeks of protected leave to care for their health or for eligible and usefulness. family members who have serious health conditions. Workers are also able to apply for FMLA leave following the birth, adoption, Among the DOL’s findings: or fostering of a child. The 12 workweeks don’t have to be used • 91 percent of surveyed employers all at once; time off under FMLA also may be taken intermittently, reported that complying with the law has Aenabling workers to take leave in blocks of time, or by reducing either no noticeable effect or a positive their normal work schedule. effect on business operations • 90 percent of workers return to their employers after FMLA leave Employees seeking to use FMLA leave are required to • Nearly 60 percent of employees meet provide 30-day advance notice of the need for leave if the all criteria for FMLA coverage and eligi- leave is foreseeable. Employers require workers to provide bility medical certifications, such as if your needs change. If you • 13 percent of all employees reported are interested in using FMLA, contact your facility for required taking leave for an FMLA reason in the forms and paperwork and submit the appropriate documen- past 12 months tation of need. If an employee is caught engaging in FMLA fraud, courts have been reluctant to hold it against an em- • 56 percent of workers who take leave ployer who terminates the employee. for family or medical reasons are women; 44 percent are men • Most FMLA leave-taking is for coping B with an employee’s own illness or caring for a new child Our CAPT contract language builds on FMLA language to provide more protections. Bargaining Unit 18 members aren’t required • During the past 20 years, FMLA has been used nearly 100 million times na- to exhaust all paid leave before choosing unpaid FMLA leave. Also, tionwide. according to our contract, accrual of seniority continues uninterrupted if you use FMLA. Your state time can’t be penalized because you “The FMLA codified a simple and use the leave time to which you are entitled. fundamental principle: Workers should not have to choose between the job they need and the family members they love and who need their care,” said acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. “The FMLA has helped millions upon C millions of working families manage chal- lenging personal circumstances at very C.A.P.T.! It is illegal for any employer little cost to their employers and with very to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of little disruption in the workplace.” any right provided by FMLA. Remember: You have the right to take care of yourself and loved th For more information on FMLA’s 20 ones. For more information on FMLA, contact anniversary and the related survey find- CAPT attorney Steve Bassoff at (800) 677-2278. ings, visit www.dol.gov.

FEBRUARY / MARCH - 21 Studies research more PRECURSOR SYMPTOMS TO AUTISM& DETECTED IN 6-MONTH-OLD INFANTS Early signs of autism can be detected in 6-month-old infants, suggests a National Institute of Mental Health-supported study published in Biological Psychiatry. Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine showed infants a video featuring an actress playing with toys, making a sandwich and directly greeting and socializing with viewers. During the video viewing, researchers tracked the infants’ eye movements. Compared to control groups, infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as toddlers showed a decreased ability to pay attention to the complex social scene and spent less time looking at the actress and her face. Although it may be too soon to push the age of ASD diagnosis down to the first year of life, the study suggests an important direction for further research as well as opportunities to intervene. “From the earliest moments of our life, what we find most important are other people,” said Yale researcher Katarzyna Chawarska, Ph.D. “We wanted to see if infants who later developed ASD showed similar attention biases toward people similar to those observed in typically developing babies.”

ANCIENT BONES HIGHLIGHT LONG HISTORY OF DIRECT CARE New research reported in the New York Times sheds light on how ancient humans frequently and carefully cared for community members with disabilities and medical needs. Archeological findings of about 30 ancient skeletons from sites around the world show clear evidence of a variety of illnesses and disabilities that would have significantly or fully impacted self-care and life skills; however, the age of the individuals at death as shown by the skeletons they left behind also provide evidence that others helped care for them to give them the longest and best lives possible. One prime example is that of a young man with major disabilities who lived 4,000 years ago in what is now northern Vietnam: His skeleton showed evidence of Klippel-Feil syndrome, which caused paralysis of his arms and his body below the waist before his adolescence; but even with these major health concerns, he lived for another decade or so after the onset of his paralysis thanks to the direct-care efforts of those around him.

Additional information on this and similar cases is available in The International Journal of Paleopathy.

STUDY: 10 PERCENT OF AMERICANS BELIEVED TO BE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS Approximately 10 percent of American adults were sexually abused as children, according to a study published in Comprehensive Psychiatry. Led by Columbia University clinical psychiatry professor Carlos Blanco, M.D., researchers interviewed 34,000 individuals aged 18 or older in person. Psychiatric diagnoses of study participants were made according to DSM-IV criteria. “Our study has clinical and preventive implications,” said Blanco, noting that adults who were sexually abused as children are more at risk for psychopathology and suicide attempts than those who were not sexually abused as children. “Clinical screening for child sexual abuse is important for early treatment to reduce the impact of psycho- logical trauma.” 22 - FEBRUARY / MARCH CONSIDER HELPING COWORKERS WITH CATASTROPHIC LEAVE DONATIONS

CAPT got the concept of Catastrophic Leave off the ground two of decades ago; the program’s been in our state Bargaining Unit 18 since 1989. Article 6.9 of the CAPT contract gives state-employed Psych Techs and related professionals the right to request leave donations from cowork- NumbersNOTE ers in cases of financial hardship due to injury or the prolonged illness of the state Bargaining UnitUpdates 18 member or his or her family member, or for parental 45 percent or adoption leave purposes. Nearly half – 45 percent – of those You can help by donating vacation, annual leave, personal leave, diagnosed with a mental disorder per CTO and holiday credits. Simply contact your personnel office to fill out a DSM-IV meet criteria for two or more Catastrophic Leave donation form, or use the form included at the link on mental disorders, according to the Na- tional Institute of Mental Health. CAPT’s website at: www.psychtechs.net. And don’t forget: You can donate to someone working in different departments or facilities. If you need help and have received department approval to get leave 289.5 percent donations, contact Brady Oppenheim at (800) 677-2278 to be included in The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the prevalence our Outreach and on our website. You also may qualify for reduced union of autism increased 289.5 percent for dues while you recuperate. Contact your chapter president to find out the period 1997 - 2008. more. 15 years and 12 years PSYCH TECHS CURRENTLY A joint study of 6 million people by IN NEED OF C.L. DONATIONS Sweden’s Lund University and California’s Stanford University found Matthew Hayden, PT, Canyon Springs: Requesting donations. the average life expectancies for men Barbara Snyder, PT, Canyon Springs: Requesting donations. and women with schizophrenia to be 15 and 12 years shorter, respectively, Stephanie Hogue, PT, CCHCS/CSP-SAC: Requesting donations as than the life expectancies of people she cares for a new baby. without schizophrenia. Veronica Garcia, PT, Fairview: Requesting donations as she copes with an illness. 1998 Federico Sigala, SPT, Fairview: Requesting donations as he recovers Since 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug from an injury. Administration has required manufac- turers of enriched breads, cereals and Lucretia Randle, PT, Lanterman: Requesting donations. other grains to fortify their products with folic acid. Folate deficiency dur- Santosh Kumari, PTA, Napa: Requesting donations. ing human pregnancy has been asso- Denise Villanueva, SPT, Patton: Requesting donations. ciated with an increased risk of infant neural tube defects; folate deficiency Antolina Maldonado, PTA, Sonoma: Requesting donations due to a during the first four weeks of gesta- work-related injury. tion can result in structural and de- Paquito Palay, PTA, Sonoma: Requesting donations. velopmental problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. WANT TO FIND OUT HOW MANY DONATIONS YOU’VE RECEIVED? 70 percent New data from the Centers for Dis- CONTACT YOUR FACILITY’S PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT. ease Control and Prevention and the Those requesting donations on our online and magazine lists Substance Abuse and Mental Health will automatically be removed by the next Outreach publication Services Administration show that date unless CAPT is informed of ongoing needs. people with mental illnesses are 70 If you still need to remain on our lists -- no problem! percent more likely to smoke than Just call Brady Oppenheim at (800) 677-2278. those without mental illness.

FEBRUARY / MARCH - 23 California Association of Psychiatric Technicians Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE 1220 ‘S’ Street, Suite 100 PAID Permit No. 46 Sacramento, CA 95811-7138 Sacramento, CA CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED outreach