News Release // TSEA opposes proposed closure of Greene Valley Developmental Center

TSEA January 7, 2015 Comments Off on News Release // TSEA opposes proposed closure of Greene Valley Developmental Center
News Release // TSEA opposes proposed closure of Greene Valley Developmental Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 7, 2015
Contact: Chris Dauphin
Phone: (615) 256-4533, 800-251-8732
[email protected]                                                     

TSEA opposes proposed closure of Greene Valley Developmental Center

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State Employees Association opposes plans from the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to close Greene Valley Development Center in 2016.

The State of Tennessee is looking to reach an agreement on the exit plan for the Clover Bottom Settlement Agreement, which started several years ago.  As a result, the State has scheduled the closure of Greene Valley Developmental Center in Greeneville. DIDD’s hopes this will allow them to exit the settlement agreement.

“Greene Valley currently houses 96 clients who are deemed to be the most medically fragile in the state. I have personally visited this facility and my heart goes out to each and every resident. Most of them rely entirely on the kindness of the staff there,” TSEA President Bryan Merritt said. “I know beyond any doubt that the employees there are second to none. As a matter of fact, this is the only facility in Tennessee to have a performance track record that allowed them to previously exit the Clover Bottom settlement agreement. ”

TSEA is continuing to monitor the progress of this announcement and will be working to best advocate for the 96 residents and the 600+ employees staffing this facility.

TSEA is a nonprofit association existing to provide a strong unified voice with which it advocates the work-related interests of its members. For 40 years, our goal has been to ensure a better life for our members and to attract and retain an effective, efficient state workforce to provide services for all Tennesseans. TSEA was established in 1974. For further information, visit TSEA’s website at www.tseaonline.org.