By
DEBORAH A. MILES
The second annual report on Workers’ Compensation claims ranks the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) as the most dangerous agency in which to work in New York state.
Claims spiked from 14.7 percent to 19.6 percent according to the 2008-2009 annual report for state employees released by the state Department of Civil Service.
The report covers claims from accidents and injuries between April 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009, and reported through June 30, 2009.
“The Workers’ Compensation report verifies there has been a huge jump in staff assaults at OCFS,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “OCFS leads in incident rates, even higher than the state Department of Correctional Services and Office of Mental Health.”
Since the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a highly critical report in August on the deteriorating conditions at OCFS facilities, PEF has boosted its fight against the failed public policy involving the residential placement of juvenile offenders and delinquents.
In early September, Brynien wrote to Gov. David Paterson saying the DOJ report focused on the violation of civil rights of juvenile offenders. He urged the governor to mandate OCFS officials to meet with PEF representatives to develop a reform plan.
“Unfortunately, OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion has made the professionals who work for OCFS the target of her reform, rather than her partner in reform. Under her leadership, the safety of youth and staff has gone from bad to worse, and is beginning to impact the community at large,” Brynien said.
PEF pointed out the Workers’ Compensation findings and offered recommendations at a public forum on the juvenile justice system held at The Center for NYC Affairs at the New School, October 20.
John Ruiz, a PEF Executive Board member and a youth counselor at OCFS, told the panel union representation is critical in developing a workable reform plan that would protect the juvenile offenders as well as the staff.
“Our counselors, teachers, psychologists and social workers are dedicated to improving the juvenile justice system,” Ruiz said. “The system needs to be revamped to focus on prevention and teaching staff non-verbal, verbal and defensive intervention techniques. The emphasis should be on recognizing early warning signs of agitation and learning de-escalation techniques and skills.”
PEF also is recommending hiring more mental health staff to ensure each youth entering an OCFS facility is assessed for their trauma history and trauma triggers, and provided appropriate individualized therapy.
“The goal of therapy would be to help these youths recognize trauma triggers and symptoms and develop coping mechanisms. It is essential to develop specific calming techniques that work with individual youths,” Ruiz said.
“PEF has listened to its staff of professionals and wants to share their expertise with OCFS,” Brynien added. “Our intention is to provide guidance and the necessary mental health techniques to soothe this injured juvenile justice system, and keep our work force free of assaults.”
OCFS incidents escalate, PEF respondsBy
DEBORAH A. MILES The second annual report on Workers’ Compensation claims ranks the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) as the most dangerous agency in which to work in New York state.
Claims spiked from 14.7 percent to 19.6 percent according to the 2008-2009 annual report for state employees released by the state Department of Civil Service.
The report covers claims from accidents and injuries between April 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009, and reported through June 30, 2009.
“The Workers’ Compensation report verifies there has been a huge jump in staff assaults at OCFS,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “OCFS leads in incident rates, even higher than the state Department of Correctional Services and Office of Mental Health.”
Since the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a highly critical report in August on the deteriorating conditions at OCFS facilities, PEF has boosted its fight against the failed public policy involving the residential placement of juvenile offenders and delinquents.
In early September, Brynien wrote to Gov. David Paterson saying the DOJ report focused on the violation of civil rights of juvenile offenders. He urged the governor to mandate OCFS officials to meet with PEF representatives to develop a reform plan.
“Unfortunately, OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion has made the professionals who work for OCFS the target of her reform, rather than her partner in reform. Under her leadership, the safety of youth and staff has gone from bad to worse, and is beginning to impact the community at large,” Brynien said.
PEF pointed out the Workers’ Compensation findings and offered recommendations at a public forum on the juvenile justice system held at The Center for NYC Affairs at the New School, October 20.
John Ruiz, a PEF Executive Board member and a youth counselor at OCFS, told the panel union representation is critical in developing a workable reform plan that would protect the juvenile offenders as well as the staff.
“Our counselors, teachers, psychologists and social workers are dedicated to improving the juvenile justice system,” Ruiz said. “The system needs to be revamped to focus on prevention and teaching staff non-verbal, verbal and defensive intervention techniques. The emphasis should be on recognizing early warning signs of agitation and learning de-escalation techniques and skills.”
PEF also is recommending hiring more mental health staff to ensure each youth entering an OCFS facility is assessed for their trauma history and trauma triggers, and provided appropriate individualized therapy.
“The goal of therapy would be to help these youths recognize trauma triggers and symptoms and develop coping mechanisms. It is essential to develop specific calming techniques that work with individual youths,” Ruiz said.
“PEF has listened to its staff of professionals and wants to share their expertise with OCFS,” Brynien added. “Our intention is to provide guidance and the necessary mental health techniques to soothe this injured juvenile justice system, and keep our work force free of assaults.”