Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1986)
« August 13, 1986, Portland Observer, Page 3 Committee Hears Input From Community by Bob Lothian The five member committee appointed by the county to look into how mental health services should be continued in North and North east Portland held a public meeting at the North Portland branch library last Wednesday Seven witnesses, including pre sent and former employees of North Northeast Community Men tai Health Center, Inc., rehashed problems at the center and made recommendations for improvement According to committee chair woman Kay Dean Toran, the com mittee will submit a report with recommendations to Multnomah County Executive Dennis Buchanan by Monday. August 18 After a review of the report, the county will make recommendations about how mental health care will con tmue to be delivered in North North east. Toran said While the issue is being studied. North Northeast Community Mental Health will con tinue to operate through August 3 ,. The investigating panel was ap pointed by Buchanan July 17 after the county refused to renew the contract for North Northeast Com munity Mental Health. The Mult nomah County Social Services Divi sion took that action after 34 of 42 staff members signed a petition ask ing that the contract not be re newed and that a new board be appointed. The 34 staff members also took a vote of no confidence in center director David Cramer. Protesting staff members said conditions at the center had be come intolerable due to harassment of staff by board members and the center director, because staff were being threatened with firings, and because the center board and management were making incom petent decisions that threatened delivery of services. Fifteen staff members filed stress claims. The first part of Wednesday night's meeting centered on Delau nay Mental Health Center. Appar ently, one option for the county is to have Delaunay take over mana gement of North Northeast Com munity Mental Health Mick Reynolds, president of the board, and Delores Morgan, execu tive director, appeared on behalf of Delaunay, located at 5215 N Lorn bard. Toran and panel member Teletha Beniamin questioned the witnesses about Delaunay's ability to serve the minority community, and about minority representation on the board and staff Reynolds respond ed that two out of 20 of Delaunay's board members are black and one is an American Indian. According to Morgan, 19 percent of Delau nay's staff are minorities Other questions dealt with com munications problems between De launay and North Northeast, pro blems that, according to Reynolds, resulted from the upheaval at North Northeast. But Ozodi Osuji, clinical super visor at North Northeast, said that part of the communications prob lem was the perception by staff at North Northeast that Delaunay does not care for the poor. "That's the reason we do not send our clients to them," he said. In the same vein, Jim Foster, welfare assistance worker with the Adult Family Services Division, re ported that Delaunay had inappro priately billed some of his clients who had been referred to Delaunay That intimidated the cliepts and $60.00 PER HUNDRED PAID lor rcinailing letters from home’ Send self addressed, stamped envelope for inloniiaiion/application Associates. Box 95-B. Roselle, NJ 07203 Delicate seedlings need moist soil to thrive Try dipping an old whisk broom in water and sprink ling and plants lightly Pillow Talk 407 N.E. Mason "home o f southern comfort" specializing in caused them not to want to seek mental health care, Foster said. Regarding the internal problems at North Northeast. Osup attributed those problems to actions taken "behind the scenes ' by a group with a "hidden agenda." That agenda was aimed at undermining Cramer's leadership. Osu|i said "It seems to me that Mr Cramer was not given a chance when he came on board," Osup said "It was very clear to me there was a power struggle within the management team ' Dr Edward Green, a psychiatrist who was fired after a year at North Northeast and who worked there later for one additional year, read a list of 13 points alleging manage ment and board incompetence "This is not a racial issue but a competence issue," Green said. "I think the program itself is salvage able I think it was sabotaged by the board of directors." Ozodi Osup clinical supervisor at N NE M e n ta l H ealth C enter testifies before a five m em ber Assorted Pork Chops Safeway 1/4-lnch Super Trim. Tender end and center cut chops county appointed co m m ittee at N orth P ortland branch library last W ednesday Photo by Richard J B ro w n 10-Pound Bag Potatoes Famous Norgold russets from Hermiston. Oregon Save Up To 80« Lb., No Limit! Save Up To $1.00 Ea., No Lim it1 Disposable Be Sure To Look In Your Baby’s Choice Diapers _ __________ ThisWsek MAGAZINE for your Safeway Shopping Guide for a complete list of specials on sale this week at Safeway! T 0 W IIS T 0 W II& • 18-CI M edium • 36-Cl Lurqc • I? Cl M .m S i/e (/" » 7 Q & VZ Zee Paper Towels Assorted Country Prints. 2-Ply Towels Save Up To 98« On 2. No Limit! Prices effective 8/13 Thru 8/19/86 at Safeways in Lloyd Center. St. Johns. 6400 N. Interstate or 5820 N.E. Union. Sales limited to retail quantities. No sales to dealers. Throw pillows • Floor pillows and place settings also Adult and Children's Clothing I
