WFSE: Inadequate Funding of State Institutions Jeopardizes Staff & Public Safety

WFSE: Inadequate Funding of State Institutions Jeopardizes Staff & Public Safety

Injuries reported at Echo Glen are a regular occurrence in understaffed state institutions    

Olympia, Wash. – The Washington Federation of State Employees released the following statement regarding the assaults on staff at Echo Glen Children’s Center Wednesday morning:

The staff at Echo Glen provide security and a wide array of treatment services for youthful offenders, including counseling, education, and chemical dependency therapies.

Although the injuries were reported as minor, the trauma resulting from today’s incident will likely impact staff and their families for years to come.

While we do not yet know the full details of what occurred this morning, we do know that the failure to provide adequate training, staffing—and ultimately funding—is a recipe for disaster.

WFSE members continue to call on policy makers to invest in state institutions. Passing the buck jeopardizes the safety of staff and the public we serve.

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The Washington Federation of State Employees is a union representing nearly 47,000 public service workers in state agencies, higher education and behavioral health. We care for Washington’s most vulnerable residents, provide services for children and families, ensure public safety, protect our natural resources and more. Our collective strength gives us the ability to speak up for our jobs, families and communities.

See 2018 Hyzer Group Report Commissioned by DSHS