Sequoia Mental Health Workers File to Join Oregon AFSCME

Portland, OR — Workers at Sequoia Mental Health Services have filed authorization cards for union representation with the Oregon American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents over 40,000 public sector workers. Sequoia Mental Health Services is made up of over 100 workers who deliver behavioral health, addiction recovery, housing, and residential treatment services to some of Washington County's most vulnerable residents.

Sequoia Mental Health Services workforce includes residential counselors supporting individuals in intensive 24/7 mental health care facilities, case managers, housing case managers serving those experiencing chronic homelessness, and community-based case managers visiting clients in the county.

The decision to organize comes after ongoing concerns about high turnover, increasing workloads, and a lack of input in workplace policies that directly affect both staff and clients.

“Community mental health is a workplace where the product is care and support for the clients via trauma-informed care with wrap-around services,” says Kai-Ave Douvia, a Clinical Care Coordinator on the Intensive Case Management team. “An investment in the workers who oversee residential treatment facilities, who do hands-on case management, engage in person-first therapy services, and more, is what ultimately brings about better mental healthcare and social service support for the clients,” added Douvia. “With rapid turnover and rushed training it’s the clients who suffer the most.”

A union contract will give these workers the tools to build sustainable careers in behavioral health and deliver the consistent, quality care Washington County residents deserve.

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