Psychiatric technician Donna Gross remembered on one-year anniversary of her death

Safety Now Coalition:

WHAT: Events in remembrance of Donna Gross to mark the one-year anniversary of her death.

WHEN: Sunday, October 23, 2011, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Events will be held even in inclement weather.

WHO: State-hospital and developmental-center employees, patient advocates, and concerned members of the community at all locations. Donna Gross' family members, Gross family pastor, Assemblymember Michael Allen, and Assemblymember Mariko Yamada at Napa. Senator Sam Blakeslee and Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian at Atascadero. Assemblymember Tony Mendoza at Metropolitan. The public is welcome to attend.

VISUALS: Employees at each facility laying flowers in Donna Gross' honor; photos of Donna Gross; speakers including family members, employees, lawmakers and spiritual leaders; bagpipes at Napa and Atascadero.

WHY: One year after Napa State Hospital Psychiatric Technician Donna Gross was murdered by a Department of Mental Health patient, DMH leadership has failed to enact critical safety measures, and is now seeking drastic cuts to staffing and treatment services. Recent changes including the enactment of Assembly Bill 366 (streamlining involuntary medication procedures for patients posing a danger to themselves or others) and Senate Bill 796 (targeting dangerous contraband in state hospitals) show that Californians care about safety in DMH hospitals. However, safety measures - including reliable alarm systems and specialized units for the most dangerous patients - are still needed at DMH hospitals. And now staffing levels, the central pillar of hospital safety, are being threatened by proposed cuts. Until more is done, staff and patients will continue to suffer assaults and injuries, and California taxpayers will continue to spend money on workers' compensation, disability and overtime costs.