Kathleen Austria–a long-time member activist of SEIU 721–recently joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’s staff as deputy for mental health and homeless issues. She talks about her new job:
1
How has your experience at SEIU 721 help prepare you for the job?
Through my service for county employees through SEIU, I’ve been able to work with a wide variety of people and programs in mental health, health services, and public health. I know what services are available in the county, who provides those services, and why the services exist in the first place. I’m excited about bringing my knowledge and perspective to help Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.
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What do you hope to accomplish?
District Two has some of the highest concentration of need anywhere in the county. During this time of tight budgets, I hope to protect quality services, and then, as the county budget stabilizes, I want to help provide expanded services that people need to thrive.
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How is working with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas?
Even before joining his staff, I was impressed with Mark Ridley-Thomas. He’s shown great leadership in the Drew-King Medical Center controversy and working to provide vital health care services for people who need them.
He also has a keen interest in mental health issues. He’s looking beyond his district boundaries to connect with the rest of the county.
4
You’ve had a long career as a recreational therapist for Los Angeles County; will you still be practicing?
Only my own recreational therapy.
I have worked for Los Angeles county for 19 years and paid insurance premium for all those years. My son is mentally ill and was on Kaiser for 10 years, now he attends the MH in Long Beach. He is unable to take the generic medication for lithium because it does not hold him and has cause him to be hospitalized. He does have a job which pays very little but the MH in Long Beach makes him pay for his visits (500.00/visit), is what they charge him and he has to pay for his medication 119.00/mo. This is an… Read more »