The Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities held Reduction in Force meetings for the final closure of Greene Valley Developmental Center on April 19 and 20, 2017.
Two TSEA staff members, Jo Ann Davis-Davis and Terry Carroll, were invited to observe the meetings held over two days in Greeneville, TN. The department also made available a representative from the Department of Human Resources and counselors from RetireReady.
During the meetings, the announcement was made that the last residents will be moving and closure is scheduled for May 19 of the center that has served thousands of Tennesseans over forty years. TSEA feels that every RIF meeting should be given this much consideration and several of the components of the recent legislative revisions to the TEAM Act will provide for that needed improvement.
“It was hard to see employees who had dedicated their lives to serving the residents of Greene Valley being told they were no longer needed at the facility, but it was important that TSEA be there to offer our support and counseling to members” TSEA Legal Services Manager JoAnn Davis-Davis said.
Executive Director Randy Stamps noted that employees continued to be concerned about the health and wellbeing of the residents even during the RIF meetings and that it had been a honor to stand with these members in opposition to the closing.
By Terry Carroll
TSEA Comp and Benefits Coordinator
[email protected]
