Montgomery – Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation Commissioner Kathy Sawyer today praised Gov. Don Siegelman, State Finance Director Dr. Henry Mabry, and members of the State Personnel Department for supporting the DMH/MRs recommendation for pay range increases for mental health workers. “We are so grateful to Gov. Siegelman, Dr. Mabry, and the State Personnel Department for recognizing the immense contributions mental health workers make to the state of Alabama,” Sawyer said. “They are the backbone of our mental health system.”

Mental health workers provide direct care to the patients in the seven state-operated psychiatric hospitals and the three state-operated geriatric nursing homes, as well as residents of the state’s four developmental centers serving persons with mental retardation. “Mental health workers have been among the lowest paid positions with some of the greatest responsibilities,” Sawyer said. “Every day, they come to work and make a difference in the lives of individuals we serve. They deserve pay that is respectful and reflective of the contributions they make.”

For the past two years, Sawyer and other DMH/MR officials have been working with the State Finance Director to increase the pay ranges for the mental health worker positions. “The State Personnel Board, as well, recognizes the immense contribution these employees make and, hopefully, will approve the pay range increases at their next scheduled meeting,” Sawyer said. 

“The primary benefits of increasing the pay range for the MHW positions will be higher recruitment and increased retention rates, as well as increased employee morale” said Henry Ervin, DMH/MR Director of Human Resources. “Due to the traditionally low pay range for these positions, many qualified individuals often find they simply cannot afford to work for the DMH/MR and adequately support themselves and their families. As a result, we have had difficulty filling these positions and have experienced a high turnover rate, close to 50 percent annually.” 

Funding for the mental health worker pay range increase will come from departmental savings and other sound financial management practices in the DMH/MR Performance Based Budgeting plan. “The DMH/MR will fund the pay range increases from its existing budgetary resources with no increase in state funding,” Sawyer said. “If approved by the State Personnel Board, shortly after the new year we will finally be able to reward these dedicated employees and let them know that their work is valuable and appreciated,” Sawyer said.