Caregivers not part of layoff plans

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100121/NEWS01/100129923

Published Thursday January 21, 2010

BEATRICE — A State Department of Health and Human Services official said some employees at the troubled Beatrice State Developmental Center will be laid off.

Jodi Fenner, director of the division of developmental disabilities, said the layoffs will be from among the 150 maintenance, housekeeping, food and laundry workers and that direct care staff will not be affected.

About 820 people work at the facility, most as direct care staff for the 182 residents.

Fenner said Wednesday she did not know how many people would be laid off, but that a decision would be made in late April or May.

The Beatrice center has faced hundreds of allegations of abuse and neglect in recent years, and the center has lost its Medicaid certification. — AP