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SALT LAKE CITY — Valley Behavioral Health announced Thursday it is shutting down a residential treatment program, amid concerns from some employees about the uncertain futures of their careers and of the program’s teen clients.
The ARTEC program has provided substance abuse and mental health treatment to teenagers.
Some workers, including unit supervisor Cara Stewart, said they received very little notice that their status with the program had changed.
Stewart said she was shocked when she showed up for work Thursday and her key no longer worked. "I get to work, put my key in the door, and it does not open," she said. "I'm literally locked out of my job."
House counselor Taylor Berhow said she was notified Wednesday that she had been “voluntarily terminated” and that human resources had collected her things from her locker. She said she had only been offered an as-needed position as a case worker.
Though the workers said they knew a month ago the program was being phased out, they feared there was no plan B for the 16 teens currently in the program.
"They are pushing clients out before they're ready to be released from treatment," Berhow said.
Valley Behavioral Health administrators disputed many of the workers' claims, underscoring no employee was terminated.
"Change is hard for anybody," said Susan Pizitz, director of children’s services.
She maintained Valley Behavioral Health has frozen recent hiring, hosted in-house job fairs and has offered ARTEC workers other jobs — albeit some that aren't lateral moves.
"We also want the best for our employees to help them with career development and advancement within our company," Pizitz said.
Administrators said many of the teens have been in the juvenile justice system, and the state is moving away from placements in residential centers.
Pizitz said the company had worked with families and caseworkers to ensure a plan was in place for every teen in the program.
