Letter: Proud of Human Services workers
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To the tax-paying citizens of our state who for some time now have been weary with the performance of our government and its many agencies ... there is hope! I have been among your ranks in my skepticism of what for years has appeared to be waste and, at best, poor management of our hard-earned tax dollars.
Eight years ago I was asked to consider a position on the Capital Area Human Services District Board of Directors. This government agency is unique in that it was formed to operate under the direction of private citizens selected from each of the seven parishes it represents. I accepted the challenge, determined to find the “abuse and misuse” of our monies. Never did I dream I would find what I found. CAHSD is an extraordinary example of how we long to see our government work in every area.
This agency would encourage you and give you a glimmer of pride in the way your tax dollars are so carefully scrutinized and accounted for in every area. CAHSD is the publicly funded agency in this region of the state that serves clients with mental illnesses, addictive disorders and developmental disabilities. It is led by Dr. Jan Kasofsky, executive director, and a dedicated board of directors who volunteer many hours of oversight. The agency is filled with employees who have passion, dedication and a committed work ethic.
CAHSD was nationally recognized for its work in the region post-Katrina. Hurricane Gustav offered another opportunity for CAHSD to provide extraordinary care for its clients when the roof of its main building on Government Street was extensively damaged and the building deemed unusable for up to one year. This building housed the administrative services, pharmacy operations, Baton Rouge Mental Health Center, Children’s Behavioral Health Services and the Developmental Disabilities Division. By using alternative service delivery sites and partnering with mobile facilities, the agency responded quickly to ensure that consumers had no disruption in their services and did not have to resort to using already-overburdened emergency departments. More permanent arrangements for service relocation are being made now.
This spirit is contagious, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this government agency. Slothfulness, laziness and indifference within this agency are simply not tolerated. I’m sure other dedicated government entities exist, but I can only speak for the one I know about and have the objective data to back up my enthusiasm. I am both amazed and humbled to be a part of such an organization, whose commitment and response to those most vulnerable in our community has been unwavering in this time of need.
Kay M. Andrews, board chairwoman
Capital Area Human Services District
Clinton
Eight years ago I was asked to consider a position on the Capital Area Human Services District Board of Directors. This government agency is unique in that it was formed to operate under the direction of private citizens selected from each of the seven parishes it represents. I accepted the challenge, determined to find the “abuse and misuse” of our monies. Never did I dream I would find what I found. CAHSD is an extraordinary example of how we long to see our government work in every area.
This agency would encourage you and give you a glimmer of pride in the way your tax dollars are so carefully scrutinized and accounted for in every area. CAHSD is the publicly funded agency in this region of the state that serves clients with mental illnesses, addictive disorders and developmental disabilities. It is led by Dr. Jan Kasofsky, executive director, and a dedicated board of directors who volunteer many hours of oversight. The agency is filled with employees who have passion, dedication and a committed work ethic.
CAHSD was nationally recognized for its work in the region post-Katrina. Hurricane Gustav offered another opportunity for CAHSD to provide extraordinary care for its clients when the roof of its main building on Government Street was extensively damaged and the building deemed unusable for up to one year. This building housed the administrative services, pharmacy operations, Baton Rouge Mental Health Center, Children’s Behavioral Health Services and the Developmental Disabilities Division. By using alternative service delivery sites and partnering with mobile facilities, the agency responded quickly to ensure that consumers had no disruption in their services and did not have to resort to using already-overburdened emergency departments. More permanent arrangements for service relocation are being made now.
This spirit is contagious, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this government agency. Slothfulness, laziness and indifference within this agency are simply not tolerated. I’m sure other dedicated government entities exist, but I can only speak for the one I know about and have the objective data to back up my enthusiasm. I am both amazed and humbled to be a part of such an organization, whose commitment and response to those most vulnerable in our community has been unwavering in this time of need.
Kay M. Andrews, board chairwoman
Capital Area Human Services District
Clinton
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