Mental Health Partners lays off 3.5%, cites changing health care climate
- Featured Quotes as Public Information Officer
- Jun 14, 2018
- 2 min read
By Charlotte Spaeth For the Camera
POSTED: 06/14/2018 08:42:00 PM MDT
One of Boulder's largest mental health providers, Mental Health Partners, cut three and a half percent of its staff Thursday as part of a restructuring for the new fiscal year. The nonprofit says the approximately 17 layoffs are a response to the ever-changing health care climate.
These structural changes began in July 2017 and include not filling some positions as well as shifting responsibilities within the group's four locations. The employees received notice of these structural changes before a news release was posted on the organization's website. However, Kristina Shaw, director of marketing and public information officer for the provider was unable to comment on any severance packages or benefits for those affected. "The reason why we want to let you know is we did want to be transparent with the community," Shaw said. "We are a community nonprofit resource and we are trying to be transparent to the adjusting and changing health care landscape."
Mental Health Partners, which specializes in addiction and mental health services, including inpatient and outpatient care, employs just under 500 people. Shaw said the layoffs will not affect its standard of care. The layoffs were not part of a larger issue or need for concern, simply part of the annual restructuring, the provider said.
Mental Health Partners first opened its doors to the Boulder community in 1962 as a mental health clinic. Since then, the nonprofit has opened four locations in Boulder, Broomfield, Lafayette and Longmont. In 1971, it became a federally designated comprehensive community mental health center.
The trend in shrinking staff is not unique to Mental Health Partners. As more patients are treated in an outpatient setting, health care providers no longer see a need to fully staff inpatient facilities. Longmont United Hospital similarly restructured its staffing in April, laying off approximately four percent of its staff because inpatient care employees were not needed.
Mental Health Partner's mission statement is, "Healing is our purpose. Help is our promise. Health is our passion." The nonprofit does this by offering a variety of services adaptable to an individual's needs.
The organization cited its goal of improving efficiency while still serving the community to the best of its ability in its decision to lay off staff.
"Our goal for the future is just to continue to give the best mental health and substance abuse care to our community," Shaw said.
The nonprofit's former CEO, Kelly Phillips-Henry, abruptly departed in March. Board member and chair elect Hans Wiik was named interim CEO.
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