Crossroads layoffs violated state regulation
Published 4:56 pm Friday, February 19, 2016
When Crossroads Community Services Board’s Executive Director Dr. Susan Baker terminated four employees on Jan. 20, the agency violated a state regulation — failing to notify the state’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) before implementing changes in the organization’s structure.
The terminations prompted an investigation by the state agency, which began Jan. 21 and ending on Feb. 11, according to an investigation finding report from the department’s office of licensing.
“This regulation was not met as evidence by: the provider terminated the following senior positions in the Farmville clinic: director of long term services, nursing supervisor, substance abuse coordinator and administrative supervisor and failed to notify the department, in writing, prior to implementing the changes,” the online report stated.
According to Baker, the four layoffs were “a reduction in force.”
“DBHDS shall be notified in writing of changes (that) materially affect organizational and administrative structure of Crossroads CSB whenever such changes are anticipated in advance or as soon as possible in the event a change is not anticipated by agency management,” the report stated under “provider response.”
Baker nor Crossroads Board of Directors Chairman Sid Smyth could be reached for comment.
“I would very much like to, but the problem is it’s a personnel matter that’s ongoing and I cannot [comment],” Baker said in a previous interview.
Crossroads currently has eight vacancies listed on its website, including case management supervisor, lead substance abuse therapist, children’s service coordinator and patient scheduler.
Organized in 1973, Crossroads seeks to prevent and treat the occurrence of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance use and co-occurring disorders.
Crossroads’ board of directors consists of representatives appointed by boards of supervisors in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties.
“Funding, which supports the service delivery system, comes from a variety of sources: state, local and federal governments, and fees for service (over 75 percent of revenue),” states the entity’s website.