WHEREAS:
AFSCME is the leading union representing employees working in institutional and community-based facilities servicing mentally retarded, mentally ill and developmentally disabled people. Over 200,000 members serve as caregivers for our nation’s most vulnerable population; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME has been a leading advocate of high-quality institutional and community-based services for disabled people, and has led the fight against budget cuts and attempts to weaken quality standards; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME has continued to oppose states that abdicate their responsibility to provide publicly accountable quality care by understaffing institutions, neglecting physical conditions and failing to upgrade services. Newspapers around the country document the consequences of deinstitutionalization to unprepared communities. Instead of planning comprehensive community-based service delivery systems, states continue to dump clients and contract out services; and
WHEREAS:
Numerous newspaper accounts and studies document the need for improved institutional and community-based services for the chronically mentally ill; and
WHEREAS:
There is considerable support among advocates and experts in the fields of mental health and mental retardation/developmental disabilities for a core institutional system as a part of a continuum of residential and treatment services.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME’s strong commitment to a continuum of publicly operated services and community private non-profit services, including both institutional and community-based care, continue; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will work on common goals with advocacy groups, parent groups and professional groups, breaking down past barriers and planning actions in support of quality care and against irresponsible closures and contracting out of vital services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will work with councils and locals to organize the unorganized in community-based residential facilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
SUBMITTED BY:
International Executive Board