I was later advised by San Juan Basin Health that they sought waivers from the state to discontinue many of the personal contacts with the clients while apparently forcing the state to find another home for the Single Entry Point agency. Prior to giving my notice, SEP staff had hoped to find a new home outside San Juan Basin; so in this case, it is not what they were choosing to do, but how they are doing it.

I have found that the administration’s lack of transparency, secret meetings and underhanded manner are at the heart of the lack of trust from employees. Those in charge appear to hide behind multiple levels of administration and create fear – that if you have an opinion, they will simply fire you.

Somehow, this culture of fear was born and has grown, while services provided to the community continue to dwindle. While there are fewer employees and services, the administration continues to increase. This all seems contrary to a healthy organization and well-spent taxpayer dollars.

I hope that my clients and other professionals can attest that I worked hard for those who needed our assistance and was a responsible overseer of the use of Medicaid funds. I would like to reassure our clients that SEP is required by the federal government to be provided in our community and will continue – with any luck – outside San Juan Basin Health.

Dawn Simard

Durango