Governor Bredesen announced this morning that notices are going out at the end of this week to state employees who may be affected by the decision to eliminate state positions at six agencies.
The Associated Press story is linked here.
Children's Services is one of those six.
Approximately 147 of these filled positions are at DCS, and approximately 300 letters will be sent. The reduction in force is limited to the Juvenile Justice division's group homes and youth development centers.
Those affected include not only those who may be laid off, but those who may be affected by having the offer to exercise bump or retreat rights under civil-service rules.
We are sending these notices now so the reductions can take effect with the start of the next budget year. State employees have a statutory right to 90 days' notice.
We know that for many of you, it is not a surprise, given the state's difficult budget position. The Governor spoke about these reductions in his State of the State speech, and they are part of the budget proposal now before the Legislature.
We also know it that is difficult and painful news to absorb. This is an incredibly hard time for the department. Some of our best employees are going to be affected, and inside many of these facilities, we are going to have to change the way the work is done.
Leaders from Juvenile Justice and the department's Human Resources office have been planning to travel across the state Thursday and Friday to lead staff meetings to discuss what is happening. Those will be the best places for employees to learn first-hand about what is happening at their facilities.
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