Adult Foster Home Tentative Agreement
We pushed the state to a tentative settlement after 13 months of bargaining!
Our SEIU 503 Adult Foster Care Bargaining Team unanimously recommends a Yes vote to ratify the new contract so we can all immediately engage in the State Administrative Rule Making Process. Ratification ballots will be mailed to all providers. There will also be regional meetings where you can ask questions, speak out, and vote. Locations, dates and times will be mailed out separately.
New state legislation has now heightened definitions for abuse and neglect findings for us as mandatory reporters. The Department of Human Services will hear public comment on proposed new rules in May. Our union will be mobilizing efforts to speak out about how to best protect residents, maintain quality care and ensure our voices are heard. We need as many providers as possible to be educated and willing to speak on these important issues. Please contact a member of the Bargaining Team with questions, ideas and ways you are willing to help.
Contract Settlement Summary
Transparency from the State
Contract Language Improvements on Timely Pay
Article 9- Service Fees sets a timeline for implementation of a new DD SNAP tool to better assess the needs of both current and new residents, establishes contract language requiring the state to furnish residents' service needs along with corresponding fee amounts (including add-ons and exceptions) in writing to the provider, and requires increased payments for add-ons and exceptions to begin immediately upon approval.
New Contract Article
Article 12- Changes to Service Plan and Payments- establishes contract language that guarantees written notice for expected service delivery along with corresponding service payment amounts and guarantees that reassessments are completed within 10 days including written notice of any changes to service plans and/or payments. In the event that rates increase as a result of reassessment, the increase will be effective on the date of completed reassessment. Rates that decrease will not be implemented until 7 days from the completed assessment.
New Contract Article
Article 13- Service Payment Systems- improves timely pay for providers. Providers using the MMIS system will be paid within 3 days of electronic payment request. Providers not using MMIS will be paid within 10 days of written payment request.
Quality Resident Care
Letter of Intent
Abuse & Neglect Findings- strengthens our voice in the current Administrative Rule Making Process relating to reporting of abuse and neglect by AFH employees and to appropriately apportion culpability for any substantiated claims. Dr. Bruce Goldberg, Director of DHS, will meet face to face with the SEIU AFH bargaining team to discuss potential solutions for this issue.
Letter of Intent
Criminal Background Checks- DHS will work jointly with SEIU Providers to address problems in the criminal background check system with a the goal of creating transportable background checks for providers, resident managers, substitute caregivers, and other employees.
Contract Language Improvement on Parity
Article 10- Pre-Placement Planning- establishes parity for relative foster care providers by guaranteeing that the state will provide the same written pre-placement information that commercial providers currently receive.
Statememt of Intent
RN Delegation- establishes a joint DHS/SEIU committee to explore ways to addresses issues with RN delegation in rural areas, to increase access to RN delegation services, and to ensure that providers do not experience undue financial hardship while seeking these services.
Statememt of Intent
Training- increases provider input on state training and continuing education units (CEUs) to increase quality resident care delivery.
Respect for Provider Rights
New Contract Article
Article 14- Union Representation- grants providers the opportunity to have union representation, either in person or by telephone, for investigations, licensing visits and informal conferences.
Letter of Intent
Complaint Resolution Process- DHS will work with SEIU Providers to create a process that addresses inconsistencies in Adult Foster Care program delivery and violations of Oregon Administrative Rules and includes a mechanism to track and respond to provider complaints.
Contract Language Improvement
Article 6- Union Rights- grants time for SEIU Providers to present information during state training to inform providers about our union, collective bargaining, and relevant political work.
Letter of Understanding
Licensure and Collective Bargaining- clearly affirms our union's position on collective bargaining rights as it relates to the licensure regulations.
Contract ratification and state rule update meetings to be announced within regions.
Contact our union with questions and ways to get involved:
Member Resource Center 1-877-637-2611
SEIU 503 Headquarters 1-800-452-2146