As a result, annual turnover at her facility has reached 40 percent, forcing her to spend more money on training and overtime. They say they wish they could afford to stay with us, but they have to support their families. In effect, by transferring patients while holding down funding to the agencies receiving them, the state is saving money on the backs of lower-paid workers. Maybe it has to come to that. The Allegheny Valley Schools, a network of 90 residential care centers statewide, took a risk, borrowing money to hike pay while pleading with the state for more funding.
Champ alleges that the personnel crisis justifies extra funding.
If we lose the waiver, we will have the option to go to Commonwealth Court. Should a living wage ordinance pass, he says, it will become a key exhibit in his case. Selfishly speaking, it solves a lot of problems for us. It guarantees the success of my waiver. Welfare department spokesman Jay Pagni declines comment on Champ's appeal, but denies there's a personnel crisis in the industry.