Safety Task Force to Meet in Salem, May 31

The Client and Staff Safety Task Force meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court Street NE Salem in Hearing Room B. This meeting is open to the public. The conference phone number for those who can’t attend in person is: 1-877-873-8017; enter participant code: 772325# when prompted. The task force, which was created by Senate Bill 226, is directed to make recommendations on staff safety, resident care, and operation of the Stabilization and Crisis Units. The task force will meet approximately six times and provide a report to the Legislature by September 15, 2016. The task force will consider and make recommendations for: * Ensuring the dignity and self-determination of each resident in a Stabilization and Crisis Unit; * Improving the safety of staff employed by a Stabilization and Crisis Unit; * Improving the training and support for staff; * Staffing levels; * Reducing incidents of aggressive and assaultive behavior by residents; * Reducing the need for staff to work overtime; * Improving access to appropriate mental health supports and intervention methods; * Ensuring the timely transition of residents in Stabilization and Crisis Units when ready to be placed with a residential service provider in the community, including recommendations for building capacity in community-based care settings. All meetings of this Task Force are open to the public and will conform to Oregon public meetings laws. Request for an accommodation for a person with disabilities should be made to Angie Allbee at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. For more information, contact Angie Allbee, DHS Legislative Coordinator, at 503-689-5034.