First off, if anyone stumbled across this site and doesn’t know what CSB is...well, its Community Services Board. Yes, these are the agencies around the state whose job it is...well, they are charged with the responsibility of supplying mental heath and substance abuse services for the folks in the community that they serve. Anyway, where was I? OK. Stay with me on this one as I'm sure you will see the logic that is escaping me. Here goes. If you want to be an Emergency Services' Worker in the Commonwealth, you must have a masters' degree (social work, psychology, and so on) and become certified. No, becoming certified is not the equivalent of SEAL training, or training at Quantico to become an Embassy Guard, or becoming an Army Ranger. The certification process goes something like this; read some stuff, watch some videos, sit in on few evaluations, do a few evaluations, and have a supervisor watch you do a few evaluations. Now, this in no way denigrates the folks who do this job...as frankly the job is a real....anyway, it sure ain't easy folks. Yes, a lot of it is routine and requires little thinking; however, the tough cases will just about do you in. (Let's get this in some perspective.....any of us who are not in Iraq or Afghanistan being shot at and blown up because of the bozo in the White House, basically have it made.) Where was I? Oh, yes. There are some folks who were grandfathered in who do not have a masters' degree. Yes, these were the folks working as ES workers who had, I think, at least three years experience. Hmmm. Now, until a few months ago we were paid overtime and also paid time and a half for working holidays. Noooooooo, there was no pay differential for working the late night shifts or weekends which seems pretty common in the market place. All of a sudden They decided that we would no longer be paid extra for working holidays and that we would no longer be allowed to work overtime. Again, pay attention here. This confuses even me and hey, it’s my job.
They say that we have to juggle the schedule, that is, if I work two hours over...then I need to come in two hours late at some point to avoid overtime. Hmmm.
OK. By the very nature of the job, we will work more hours than scheduled. Period. That's an absolute. As an example, we can be tied up as many as five hours working on one case. As an example, let's say I'm working a 4PM to midnight shift. Further, let's say that we get a police call at..hmmm...11:30PM. OK, we respond to all police calls immediately. Lots of reasons....one important one being that, there ain't that many officers out there Protecting and Serving. Yep, everyone is shorthanded.
Anyway, so I go. Let's say I work on the case until 2:30AM.
You really need to pay attention here....... OK, a shift is 8 hours. Sooooooo, I have now worked two hours over, which means that I need to come in two hours later on a shift to make everything OK. Really pay attention now... OK, let's say I'm employee A. Now, so that I can come in late on my next 4PM shift, employee B worked from 8AM until 6PM. Hey, OK. That solves the problem. Well, now employee B has worked overtime so he or she must come in two hours late on a shift or leave two hours early. Folks, I'm sure you've gotten it by now. No more on this one.
More good stuff coming.
We have folks who work part-time. Though I could be wrong on this one, it's my understanding that they get paid time and a half for holidays. Hmmm. What can I say. Part time workers get paid more than full time workers. I guess They think it's OK.
Another good one. We have a worker who was full time with ES (grandfathered in...no masters) who decided the grass was greener and took another job in our agency. The person soon realized, Hey, I want back in ES. Again, listen carefully, no I'm not a magician...and I doubt there's magic going on here....sooooooooooooooo, this person says, Hey, I screwed-up...I made a bad decision. Let me back.
Well, THEY (yes, the old they) said, No way Jose, you don't have a masters degree. But, your Excellency, I'm certified. Serf, we don't care. But, we will allow you to work for us part-time.
Your Excellency, why is it that I can work part-time, needing the same credentials, but can't work full time.
How dare you question our decision. Anymore outburst and we'll boil you in oil...or something.
OK. Back to the no overtime policy. Yes, another one that you need to pay attention..... The person who was full time, quit and took another full time position in the agency? Remember? OK. He is full time at his job....and, he can work part time in ES. How does that work? We can't work over time...but, he has full time job and then works more hours in ES....the time that he works in ES is surely over the time of a full time schedule in the person's regular job. Is that not over time??? Hey, maybe this is all a dream...nightmare...or, something....
All of this would seem to bring a new meaning to twisted logic........
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Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
We often hear people say the system is "broke." However, the problem is that there isn't a system.... Joseph Heller would be proud. Please note, what follows is from my, most likely, myopic viewpoint and I surely don't claim to have The Big Picture, if there is one. I am definitely at the bottom of the food chain looking up......
This is Emergency Services as its Defined on a Community Services Boards' Web Site
Emergency Services/Crisis Counseling is a State mandated program. This unit provides short-term crisis counseling and referrals to individuals on an emergency basis. Emergency and crisis response services include: telephone interventions; face-to-face assessments and evaluation (including pre-admission screening); psychiatric consultation and other clinical consultation about mental health, substance abuse, and special populations which include children, adolescents, geriatric, people with mental retardation, and individuals involved in the forensic system. Emergency Services/Crisis Counseling is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Everything on this website has been thoroughly examined, reviewed, evaluated, and ultimately approved by The Citizens’ Committee for the Advancement of Rational Thought and Actions in Virginia's Mental Health System….
Things Sure Aren't What They Used to be..Conditions Sure Have Changed
coming soon........
Think it's time to post the old First Amendment........ January 17, 2008
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Please Read: Important!
Any events that are mentioned or described here actually happened: however, of course the names of any citizens have been changed and the circumstances of the situation have been altered and modified so that they could never be identified.
Who am I and Where am I?
No way, Jose. I have enough problems. Let me just say that I am sure my part of the state is no different than what other folks are trying to come to grips with in Virginia.
I guess I'll just say that I have some idea of what's going on....and let it go at that.
I'm sure you can separate the facts from the opinions......
PS. OK. I'll fess up...yes, I work for an emergency services unit and have for a few years. My opinions are mine and surely I am not speaking for all of the other emergency services' workers throughout the state.
And, my opinions are based on the population that we see day in and day out.
I guess I'll just say that I have some idea of what's going on....and let it go at that.
I'm sure you can separate the facts from the opinions......
PS. OK. I'll fess up...yes, I work for an emergency services unit and have for a few years. My opinions are mine and surely I am not speaking for all of the other emergency services' workers throughout the state.
And, my opinions are based on the population that we see day in and day out.
The Temporary Detention Order (TDO)
The Temporary Detention Order (TDO).
In the Commonwealth of Virginia there is a provision that allows a person to be forced into a psychiatric hospital. Basically the code says, That if because of mental illness a person is imminently dangerous to themselves or others, or if because of mental illness a person is substantially unable to care for themselves, a magistrate may issue the order.
The magistrate will have a probable cause hearing at which time the emergency services' worker and sometimes a petitioner (note: a petitioner is a reliable responsible member of the community who has seen the behavior or heard the words) will give sworn testimony to support the issuance of the TDO. Some jurisdictions require a petitioner and some allow the order to be issued based only on the testimony of the emergency services' worker.
The TDO specifies where the person is and where they are going (to which hospital). It is an order that must be carried out by sworn officers; usually a sheriff's deputy or a police officer.
In the Commonwealth of Virginia there is a provision that allows a person to be forced into a psychiatric hospital. Basically the code says, That if because of mental illness a person is imminently dangerous to themselves or others, or if because of mental illness a person is substantially unable to care for themselves, a magistrate may issue the order.
The magistrate will have a probable cause hearing at which time the emergency services' worker and sometimes a petitioner (note: a petitioner is a reliable responsible member of the community who has seen the behavior or heard the words) will give sworn testimony to support the issuance of the TDO. Some jurisdictions require a petitioner and some allow the order to be issued based only on the testimony of the emergency services' worker.
The TDO specifies where the person is and where they are going (to which hospital). It is an order that must be carried out by sworn officers; usually a sheriff's deputy or a police officer.
What are the steps required to have a TDO issued?
- A police officer, citizen, hospital worker, friend, loved one, relative, requests an evaluation for a TDO
- Information is usually required that would indicate that the person may be meeting criteria
- A face-to-face evaluation is completed
- A screening form is filled out that provides information that supports the request for the TDO...after the evaluation, if the person is not meeting criteria, they are released
- If the person is meeting the criteria a willing facility must be found
- After a hospital is found, the information is presented to the magistrate
- The person is taken to the hospital by law enforcement officers
- At the hospital the officer signs/executes the TDO and turns over the patient to the hospital
Who can request an evaulation for a TDO?
With some exceptions, almost anyone can request an evaluation. Some folks think it must be a family member...not true. Any reliable and responsible citizen may make the request; however, they must have first-hand knowledge of "recent" events that would lead the worker to feel as though the person would meet the criteria. The person requesting the evaulation should be able to describe living conditions and in general overall mental status.