I. Introductions and Good News

Attendees: Donovan Workman, Dr. John Bradley, Kevin Sheppard, Terry Smith, Phil Paar, Pat Mogan, Larry Blake, Bryon Hall, Maria King, Leah Davis, Pete Hanlon, Laura Dolan, Cyndi Baker, Dana Fritzsche, Regina Lurry, Brenda Livisay, Ms. Jennifer Roach

II. Review of Last meeting's minutes: 10/18/11

Approved.

1. Budget--No changes since last meeting. No cuts discussed, but Governor has asked for cost savings. Budget was to be reviewed mid-year; Larry Blake will check on status of review.

2. Closures--No new closures on the horizon.

1. Vacancies - Mr. Blake has updated facility vacancies and will distribute them with the meeting minutes.

Scioto: 2 Nurse 1 vacancies (applicant pending); Nurse 1 (applications being scored). Psych MR nurse posting. 2 Mental Health Nurse coordinator positions. Psych positions: 1 Psychologist vacancy, 1 SW 3 vacancy.

Other vacancies by institution:

IRJCF: SW 3, SW 2, Nurse 1, Psych Nurse Coordinator
CJCF: Nurse 1, PT Nurse, Psychologist, 2 SW 2
CHJCF: SW 2

Vacancies by Parole Region:

Cleveland: 0
Akron: 0 (1 pending disability retirement)
Columbus: 1 SJPO
Dayton: 0
Toledo: 0

Personnel Announcements for management staff. Effective February 12, 2012.

2. Separation Rates--Ms. Jones will have the information by next meeting.

3. SW Schedules--further discussion needed

4. SW Duties - consolidation of databases would facilitate equalization of duty:time ratio. Overwhelming number of duties continues to be a problem. (When OYAS goes live, and there's one treatment plan, will be easier to keep up.)

5. Reclass Agreements - removed from agenda; agreements have become effective.

6. Seniority Rosters--Seniority rosters by institution distributed.

1. See discussion #8 and #4.

2. Checks on youth while in seclusion - the list of personnel does not mandate that all of those services check on the youth. Should not be required of the staff in the institutions. Goal is to streamline processes, not to make them redundant.

3. Expectations for CBT programming--point was to give teams more authority over the youth. Youth are not mandated to have 4 groups per week, SW are required to run 4 groups per week. Need clarification at the facility level regarding the number of groups youth should be in, and who should be running the groups. (Shouldn't be just the SW's.)

4. CBT progress through Core A: Problem is created as youth move around -not all youth are at same level or book in CBT program, which can prevent progress. Ms. Dolan will discuss with supervisors and will get clarification on how to proceed.

5. Reentry OYAS scores are artificially low due to the time frames involved in the questioning; creating problems when kids are mixed on the units: If OYAS and security classification seems artificially low, override the score and bump them down. Ms. Dolan will work with other personnel to look at the scoring questions to see if they need to be modified to create more accurate scores. Proper weighing of youth responses will be included in the booster training. Speak with SW supervisor if you have concerns about a score. Override may be necessary.

6. Trainings on policy and in-service - redundant or irrelevant for certain classifications. Mr. Blake will look into a way to modify the requirements on policy training so people aren't being trained on unnecessary items. Union will provide specific examples of unnecessary in-service trainings so they can be appropriately condensed. Discussion around creating a joint committee that would provide training opportunities and a clearinghouse for CEU's.

7. 30-day revocations: Ohio Revised Code dictates minimum sentence and revocation sentence. Minimum sentence date is generally the release date. Narrow exceptions provided by ORC, and makes it difficult to extend release date. Stipulation agreement affects the ability of the release authority to extend release date; that order is at the core of the problem.

30-day sentence - creates staffing problems because per policy, staff must follow same processes for youth regardless of length of sentence. Ties up a tremendous amount of staff time. Can policy be changed? No - would have to change the law. Kevin Sheppard will email a copy of the agency's user's guide to the HB 86 to Pete Hanlon.

8. Consolidation of databases: JJCMS will ultimately be the sole database, but no plan or timeline at this point. Databases must connect to one another and populate one another; meetings have been held to discuss making this happen. OYAS does not talk to JJCMS now, and unsure when it will occur. (June, 2012 is a possibility.)

9. Efficiency team for DYS--Mr. Blake will try to find out what's happening with this initiative to determine whether the team is still meeting.

10. Work force planning initiative - same as #9.

11. Recruitment and Retention issues - Discussion of the handouts on retention in juvenile correctional facilities.

12. Pysch MR Nurse Coordinator and OT opportunities - Per management, they are eligible to volunteer for OT. Any of the nurses can volunteer for OT. Central Office prefers to use agency nurses rather than mandating anyone. Mgmt is aware of the retention issues, particularly at IRJCF, and is trying to remedy it.

13. www.studentaid.ed.gov. Public service loan forgiveness program. Website explains eligibility for loan forgiveness. Mr. Blake will send out information to delegates.

14. Grievance on step movement pending; item tabled for discussion.

15. Professional committees - equal numbers of reps for each side.

Click here for a complete list of Voting Locations and Times.

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Bargaining Unit Present: Emily Paine, AO SEIU; Ed D'Angelo, E Board London; Carl Bridgeforth, E Board PCI; Patrick Powell, E Board London; Janice Vurginac, Lebanon; Leticia Kelley, FMC; Norm Evan, WCI; Les Smith, MCI; Kevin Krenisky, BeCI; Chad Lee, ToCI; Ron Mowery, GCI; Joan Tidd, OCF; Teri Lovett, RiCI; Jeremy Estes, SOCF; Leon Walker, PCI; Sandra Smith, MaCI; Pam Kelly, London; Vicky Muncy, OSC; Rod Krausher, LoCI; Greg Morrow, ManCI; African Grant, TCI; Ken Confer, CRC; Diana Aziz, HCI; Tracy Calloway, DCI.

Management: OSC-Dir. HR Al Lazaroff, OSC- Mang. Labor Chris Lambert, OSC-LRO3 Venita White, BOMS-Chief Stuart Hudson, BOMS-Director of Nursing Jennifer Clayton, BOMHS-Chief-Dr. Bob Hammond, Office of Prisons-North Regional Human Services Administrator-Brian Byorth, Office of Prisons-South Regional Human Services Administrator-Rona Dorsey

1. RN Job Duties- Jenny Clayton advised that the HCA Assistant is not a clinical position. The QIC is a pay range 12 that's why they are not clinical. They can do business not clinical- scheduling, inventory and other work. RN2s predated the HCA assistants. The HCA assistants are taking on those roles and every prison is unique. The PD is on the intranet for the RN1 that starts on 1/1/12. Per Jenny, the "Charge Nurse" position-people won't have to do. HCA's are trained. They will be rotated in a fair manor but some institutions may not have at all. Locally it will be decided. The core PD will cover all RN duties. Those who don't have a "Charge Nurse" don't need it. You can run without it. The HCA's have been told not to force people to do it. Talk to the staff and ask who wants to do it. Rotate it amongst those who want to do it. The RN2 duties are to be in the percentage of the new RN 1 PD and HCA's and assistants.

Kelley FMC asked if they are rotating assignments they are training people to be in charge because not everyone is cut out to be "charge nurse"? Jenny advised that the HCA will make the determination and there is a meeting on 12/1/11.

Krausher Lorain- functions as a "charge rn"? Jenny advised that it will vary at each prison. Example is at a parent institution the captains' office calls a squad and at FMC it's different.

2. Posting for RNS- Stuart Hudson advised that Lebanon posted all ready. Next wave 14/15 posted. First wave was 66 posted. They are filling those right now.

3. Ambulance Contracts- Powell - London brought up vendor that covers Madison, London and ORW and the incidents that have occurred with response times etc. Who is overseeing contracts, etc? Stuart Hudson advised that DAS oversees contracts on vendors and complaints. They are routed and they deal with. If no resolution in sight that gives DRC 2 options. 1. Back to bid or to mediation/payout. The vendor that covers Madison and London advised he did have some vandalism to their business- Fire Bombed and is being investigated by an outside county. Jenny Clayton advised that past cases have been investigated by HCA at London and the DW. Stuart Hudson advised that we have to call them first or we have to pay twice. There was an issue at CCI, and PCI. But Madison County was the largest problem. Aziz - Hocking- advised they couldn't find Hocking once. Contractually we have to call them first and if they don't respond in the appropriate time we can call the County Squad then. Concern was then what about RN Licensure asked by Confer out of CRC- Stuart Hudson advised you're fine if you follow policy for your license. Stuart Hudson said that the Dept. of Public Safety gave layers of legal blessings

4. General Medical Questions-

Lebanon Question- 4B unit in C Block RNs- other duties not worked with this level before then 4A?

Stuart Hudson advised that they would get with the HCA Amy about this issue.

5. NCCTF Staffing Levels- Per Stuart Hudson

2 Recovery Services 2 RNs 2 CMs (in Addition)

Al Lazaroff advised that it's a part of the main institution so there is no official funding letter. An example would be like E Unit PCI. Mowery GCI asked since the population jumped to 700 from 150 why only 2 more RNs when the current staff is 5 RNs, 7 LPNs. Stuart Hudson said the entire complex (GCI) would have 13 RNs total and it would give the "camp" 2 RNs and 3 LPNs. Jenny Clayton advised that Belmont has a Large Camp and they are not staffed with medical 24/7. An LPN will be there at night but not an RN.

6. Teleconferencing-It was brought up that at some locations it has become a burden and not cost effective. Also, the employee is being made to flex their time to avoid the payment of overtime. Dr. Hammond advised that teleconferencing is used to fill the gaps where there are no psychiatrists or cnps. Kelly from London brought up that the CNP is not on time for the teleconferencing, returning the scanned items, the physician monitoring the externship is never available to the cnp and they have to hunt him down and wait on him. Dr. Hammond said there are temporary bugs in it but I said it's been going on since he has been there. Dr. Hammond said he would check on.

7. Involuntary Med Hearings- Kelly from London brought up issues with this process. Example being why would there need to be a hearing to place an inmate on meds like this at an institution that does not have an RTU? Why shouldn't they be sent to an RTU? What are the criteria for mandated meds? Dr. Hammond said that if an inmate is stable on meds leave them but if they are not stable and no RTU bed is available that is not a reason not to send them. The movement at GCI, CCI has bottlenecked the RTU"s but inmates still need sent. Dr. Hammond said a peer review should be done for the Mandated Medication hearing if it's inappropriate or even a MH Care Occurrence. He will be contacting London about this. -

8. Posting of OT in Medical/Posting Schedule in Medical/RTU - It is not being done. Al said will follow contract on posting schedules and OT.

1. Case Managers CaseLoads/Staffing- Case Loads are currently:
Walker PCI- 400
Morrow ManCI-400
Evans WCI -252
Powell London-480
Smith MCI-284
Grant Trumbull -284
Bridgeforth PCI-264
Toledo- 400
Lebanon- 296
Belmont- 252
Jan Lebanon- 444

Al Lazaroff said that vacant case manager jobs can be requested may be done by a 29.06 agreement for those who want to move around in Jan/2012. May be post Dec 5th/10th. Rona Dorsey advised that Jan 1 2012 is Phase 1 is 75 Case Managers but there is no agreement for where they should go. There is a 3 tier system recommended on they why should do. Al Lazaroff said it is general 250/500 for a unit. 1/250- CM ratio and 1/500 for UM ratio.

Evans-WCI asked what the timeline on this was and Rona advised that the 1/1/12 is still on target. She also advised that Dir. Mohr knows that there is a great budget deficit and 76 understaffed. They have to relook at, but it does not change the vision. Al Lazaroff said the budget is 11-12 million dollars short and no idea what it's going to be like come the new budget in July 2012. The Director is looking for savings from the contract and now won't be getting from OCSEA and is looking to get some from our (SEIU) contract.

Emily asked how can the vision remain if the money is not there for the staffing. Rona said again, the vision will remain the same.

2. Case Manager/Job Duties- With ORAS, Programming, Visibility in the unit, etc, Leads, Records consolidating.

Rona asked who gave LEADS. Al said with all the increasing concern with "Joe the Plumber" LEADS is highly regulated. D'Angelo advised that LEADS is SORC now as well. Al advised that even when he was a Warden he had to do an annual refresher but he never used it. Ron advised that there is a huge push to get the information out to case managers and allows CM to have access to gang information. Lee-Toledo brought up that 400/1 is still not in line for the vision example- Case Managers 400/1, plus programming, ORAS, etc. Rona advised that it will be going to 250/1. There have been meetings at CTA with 4 committees that have 40 case managers on them and they listed out everything they did and list the top 10 things. Ron Patterson from Dayton headed up but, per Rona, it didn't help as much as we thought it would. DRC is trying to sub prioritize. They have 10/15 butcher block sheets full of duties. Bridgeforth - PCI advised that while the committee was fine duties are added daily/weekly that Case Managers have never had before. Vurginac - Lebanon added yet nothing is being added to the UM. Rona advised that CM are not responsible for all the programming: UM, Sgts, UMAs can all do programming. Walker -PCI advised that the UM's not picking up the slack. Bridgeforth - PCI advised that the Vision of the Director vs. the Vision of the UMA vs. the Vision of the Institution do not match. Byron Byorth advised that the UM, Correctional Counselors and UMAs are all being redefined. Rona advised that the Captains do not like it. Al Lazaroff advised that the UM Scheduling that the Director wants is 12 hrs of unit coverage on the weekday and 8 on the weekends. This is to include ALL UNIT STAFF NOT JUST CASE MANAGERS. Al proposed that CM come up with alternative schedules and present them at the next APC on 2/15/12.

1. Vacations- not honoring. Not returning leave forms within the 10 days. Al Lazaroff advised that vacations will be followed via the contract and the leave forms whether approved or denied will be returned within 10 days.

1. Josh Norris is now the Director of the Public Division SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH.
2. Chris Lambert is now the Manager of Labor ODRC.

Innovation Ohio, a nonpartisan think tank, recently developed an interactive map showing an estimate of money each Ohio County has lost due to the Kasich Administration's policies.

"When Gov. Kasich boasts about balancing the state budget without raising taxes, he always forgets to mention that it came at a terrible cost for schools, local governments, and all Ohioans who depend on these services," says Innovation Ohio President, Janetta King.

The map shows the total dollar losses for all 88 counties and is accompanied by a chart breaking down the losses into school cuts, cuts to local government funds, dollars lost through the elimination of the estate tax, and dollars lost through elimination of reimbursements for the tangible personal property tax (TPP).

Click here to access the map here.

Click here to see the chart.

1. Review of Last Meeting's Minutes

2. Rumor Mill

a. RSC is discontinuing telecommuting

i. NOT A RUMOR

1. Why discontinuing? The Agency stated that it goes along with its philosophy of serving consumers in the community. Because RSC employees don't serve consumers in houses, everyone possible should be embedded in the communities they serve.

b. Each counselor will be getting a personal signature pad, portable scanner, portable printer and a roller case to carry it all in i. NOT A RUMOR

1. Delegates were concerned with employees that might be unable to carry all of this due to disabilities. Agency said accommodations will be made for people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, go through James Clinksdale (EEOC) and follow the procedure for reasonable accommodations.

a. Due to the uncertain amount of time it takes to receive a reasonable accommodation, Delegates should spread the word that if employees think they'll need reasonable accommodations, they should start the application process sooner rather than later.

ii. Timeline?

1. Agency does not yet know when all the equipment will arrive and be distributed because it is such a large order.
2. Agency reminded everyone that these are not meant to hassle counselors. The equipment is meant to help.

3. Any layoff updates?

a. When will the percentage for the VRP3's will be announced? (According to the weekly focus a few weeks ago, all positions were being looked at).

i. How do the VRP3 contracts play in to layoffs? Bobby explained that when layoffs occur, the Agency does not look at the person in the position, it is only concerned with the position.

b. Seniority Credits

i. Why were seniority credits recently sent out? Bobby also explained that any time there might be layoffs, RSC has to send out seniority credits for all employees, regardless of which positions will be laid off.
ii. What is happening on August 11? This is the last date the Agency gave to fix seniority credits. Nothing else is happening on August 11; although there have been rumors that various events will occur like layoffs. Not true. RSC must give 1199 notice of layoffs; no notice given. Agency won't walk in one random day and say you're fired.
iii. Social Security Numbers: These will be used for people with ties in seniority. Delegates asked if Agency could send a version of seniority credits that they can rearrange/sort. Bobby will look in to this.

4. Flexible Schedules

a. Area manager told staff in a meeting that employees are expected to stick to their schedules for now on, so employees can no longer flex their schedules. Those who already work on a flexed schedule are expected to stick to that flexed schedule. This is in violation of the CBA.

i. Agency's response

1. Agency stated that no area manager said this in a meeting.

2. Whatever is set as employee's default schedule, that is her set schedule, and she cannot deviate from it. So if employees want to flex time, and they have personal leave available, then the Agency wants employees to use this rather than allow people to flex for personal reasons

3. Agency doesn't want people taking time off just because they want to do so. Also, the set, approved schedule has been looked at so that operational need is met. If people submit different schedules on a weeky basis, it makes it too difficult for supervisors to figure out if there will be operational need on a weekly basis.

ii. The Union strongly disagrees with this practice, as it violates the CBA. If an employee requests a flexed schedule and is denied based upon the above information, the employee should grieve the denial

.

5. Itinerary Expectations

a. Standards for Outlook Calendar information and visibility

i. Some HR staff had specific information about grievances and discipline meetings on their calendars that were visible to employees, including 1199 Delegates. Bobby was unaware of this and stated that he would take care of it immediately.

b. Why do so many people at RSC need access to employees' calendars?

1. One reason given is that any manager in any area might receive a complaint or question from a consumer. This is one of many examples when a manager needs immediate access to an employee's calendar.

6. Training session on the new attendance policy

a. Clarification

i. Trainer mentioned that most employees will not be disciplined for being late unless there is a pattern. But the policy says late arrivals can only be approved with proof of mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

1. Management reminded everyone that policy is the policy, and if members have particular questions then they should ask HR.

7. Investigations:

a. Privacy i. Some employees have been inappropriately given information about other employees being investigated.

1. Delegates have heard more than one employee state details of another employee's investigation in which the first employee had no involvement. Some employees even know information before the Delegate does.

2. If supervisors are the ones spreading this information, then other employees need to address it with HR based on the particular supervisor or the employee who knows the information.

8. Caseload Sizes

a. How does RSC plan to address the growing caseload issue? i. Counselors keep hearing 75, yet no one is sticking to this.

1. Not everyone has the same eligibility model, so 75 active cases may not be a similar amount of work for different Counselors.

2. Delegates asked whether this could be revised to consider the particular model a counselor works on.

a. Agency agreed that the current practice does not create an equal amount of work. Management has a vision of moving toward a more consistent model, so all consumers can expect the same timeframe for a decision...eventually. That's where the 30 days comes from. Right now the 75 is like guide or target, but the Agency knows some counselors won't have this many. So the offices that are able to have 75 active cases, should.

b. Problem, though, is people are being released from the waiting list and given to people who aren't at capacity of 75 active, so they're given more cases when they already have the same amount of work as others with 75 active.

i. Management acknowledged this and stated that from the Director's level this is being using it to gauge where the Agency is at capacity.

ii. Supervisors should be meeting with Counselors on regular basis to assess

1. Agency stated individual supervisors and employees need figure out together whether an employee is at capacity. That's the only way this can be done efficiently.

2. Union asked whether Supervisors are discussing caseload sizes with Counselors. Some Delegates said yes some said no.

iii. What about use of a formula for capacity based on various factors each Counselor might meet?

1. The Agency has been discussing something like this, and it is continuing to consider various ideas. Even if it creates a formula, though, it still won't work for every person's caseload.

b. Issue of which bureau referrals should go to

i. Some cases that have never gone to a particular bureau are now going. It's gone back and forth in the past. ii. RSC has taken note of this.

9. APC Minutes on Intranet

a. Still not there

i. Actual problem is when you click on April, it takes you to February minutes. ii. Bobby will look and figure it out.

10. New Policies

a. New phone issuance policy:

i. What if the only way to get ahold of a Counselor is by her cell phone because when anyone calls the office, the call is forwarded to her?

1. Agency said they have it set up that way, and it is fine.

b. Texting:

i. If an employee has consumers, such as deaf consumers, that use texting to communicate, the employee needs to tell Supervisor so this message gets to right person and right plan.

ii. Same process if employee is often in places where he can't make a call, but he's able to text (low cell service areas).

c. IT Policy

i. Agency stated that it is monitoring Internet usage more than it used to. ii. Cannot use computer for personal use on breaks. Can only be on for personal use at lunch. iii. When the policy says "scheduled" lunch, it includes employees who take lunch at different times every day. iv. Can employees use computers before and after work?

1. NO

v. What if employee accidentally leaves a window open from personal use during lunch?

1. If you accidentally leave it up, IT can tell that. 2. If there's a question about an employee's internet usage, someone will ask the employee.

d. General

i. RSC is working on getting rid of old policies, so that when someone searches online for a current policy, he does not have to search through old, revised policies

11. Home Visits

a. Requests rising

i. If a counselor is going to a home and is uncomfortable with anything about it, he should be able to take someone with him.

ii. Union requested that Agency discuss how to handle ECs going to home visits and asking for someone to go with them every time.

iii. Agency responded that in profession of RSC, employees need to be able to go in to consumers' homes. It is important that RSC get back to doing that more often.

12. Date of Next APC Meeting: Monday, October 24, 2011

Dayton Daily News reports Ohio pension reform in limbo as legislature waits to address changes.

Click Here to Read the Article

Dear Member,

A proposal to shift some pension contributions from public employers to employees was left out of the biennial budget that Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed on June 30.

Absent in the final document, which went into effect July 1, was a proposal to require Ohio public employees to contribute an additional 2 percent to their pension obligation and decrease the employers' contribution by 2 percent. The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System would like to thank everyone who helped us in this process by contacting your legislators and supporting our position in other ways.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System Interim Executive Director Karen Carraher twice testified against the rate shift because it would:

• significantly increase our unfunded liabilities;
• extend the time to pay off those liabilities beyond what is required by law;
• impact health-care funding, which was one of the reasons that our Board of Trustees recommended plan design changes in November 2009.

We are studying the budget to understand its potential impact on the pension system. While the budget did not allow privatization of the Ohio Lottery, it included a proposal to lease the Ohio Turnpike (subject to approval by the Ohio General Assembly), as well as sell or lease several state prisons. Our actuary has determined that for every 5,000 public jobs that are lost to privatization, we add one year to our unfunded liabilities.

The next step for us is to continue to educate that meaningful and timely pension redesign is necessary.

The Ohio Retirement Study Council has approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a third-party actuarial consultant to study the proposals of all five public pension systems in preparation for a pension redesign bill. While we support transparency and a review of our Board's proposals, we have provided the ORSC with suggestions to help sharpen the focus of the study and minimize any duplication of effort. We will work with the council going forward to assist it in this process.

The 2 percent-contribution shift language could come up again as legislators consider the components of pension redesign, so we will keep you updated as matters progress.

In the meantime, thank you again for your support and advocacy on behalf of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.

Summary CAFR published

OPERS has published a Summary Annual Financial Report, designed to relay in plain language key financial information contained in our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). You can find the summary report on our website by clicking on this link.

Amendments to Ohio's State Budget were due to the Senate Finance Committee Chairman's office on Thursday, May 26 and the committee may vote on the budget as early as Tuesday, May 31. Later in the week, the full Senate will vote on the budget.

Please call your senator today! You can call 1.800.282.0253 or Click here to find your state senator and his/her email address.

Tell your Senator you are concerned that the state budget relies on proposals that hurt Ohio's ability to create jobs and deep cuts to education, human services and local governments will harm Ohio families. Ohio needs solutions beyond cuts to programs and services to make the state a great place to live and work.

When you call your senator, consider the following script:

We cannot balance the budget, create jobs and help families with spending cuts alone. We need revenue, like closing tax loopholes. In order to invest in the public structures businesses and families need high-quality education, a well-trained and healthy workforce, and excellent communities.