(FOX40.COM) — Stanislaus County mental health experts and social workers, represented by Service Employees International Union Local 521, are planning to rally on Tuesday in an effort to address burnout, high case loads and understaffing.
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The rally is expected to take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Stanislaus County Government Services Courtyard in Modesto.
“The rally will also launch the first step to gauge the readiness of a strike and to convey the urgency of the service gaps workers see that too many vulnerable families fall into,” SEIU officials said. “Workers are demanding improvements in telework, flexible schedules, and training investments to boost recruitment and retention of experts who are on the frontline in keeping families healthy, safe, and stable.”
The schedule is as follows, SEIU said:
- 5:30 pm – Informational protest in the courtyard
- 6:00 pm – Press Conference and Remarks
- 6:10 pm – Informational protest in the courtyard
- 6:30 pm – Enter County chambers for public comment action
According to officials, the press conference will address the following:
- 1 in 6 county residents need mental health or substance abuse care, but do not receive it
- The suicide rate in Stanislaus is 9% higher than the state average
- In 2022, the rate of opioid overdoses in the county was 2.67 times higher than the state average
- On average, it takes 400+ days to fill a vacant Stanislaus County position
- While staffing has grown slightly in recent years, Stanislaus still hasn’t caught up to pre–Great Recession levels
FOX40 has reached out to Stanislaus County officials for comment
Natalie Sierra
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