NorCo's CYF Director Directs Supervisors to Remain Silent

Yesterday, I took NorCo Exec Lamont McClure and Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski to task for attempting to downplay a 23% vacancy in CYF, the county agency charged with protecting abused and dependent children.  That's over twice what it was when McClure assumed office. 

All the data I've used for my criticism came from Wandalowski herself, not the people who work there. It is she who wanted to punish two CYF Supervisors for transferring to the probation office by asking Council to force them to work at a lower salary. It is she who stated that the department was down 38 people. It is she who clarified that the department is larger now than it was four years ago, and actually has more people. It is she who was talking out of both sides of her mouth. She was claiming a serious vacancy problem when she wanted to punish two workers who transferred out. Then she downplayed things when I pointed out that McClure had called a news conference to complain when CYF vacancies were much lower than they are now.  

Sue Wandalowski made these remarks during two different meetings of County Council. She also sent me an email that unfortunately went to spam, so Assistant Administrator Becky Bartlett actually posted Wandalowski's email to my blog. I do appreciate this kind of transparency, even though I am critical of the substance of what she said. 

I get comments all the time from employees who state they are directed against speaking to the press or "nosy" members of Council. They should instead refer inquiries to Ass't Administrator Becky Bartlett. They follow with claims of retaliation or vindictiveness by the administration. 

This is pretty much 100% horseshit. 

I have witnessed multiple Gracedale and other employees very vociferously complain about McClure or his department heads at rallies and public meetings. No retaliation is ever taken. 

I nevertheless asked Wandalowski what she tells staff about outside inquiries. She denies she ever stated that Council members are "nosy," but has told her staff to follow the "chain of command."  She adds that employees are free to address Council whenever they want at a public meeting. 

This is consistent with what I heard from a former caseworker. Wandalowski told this person that speaking to County Council would be unhelpful unless it was at a public meeting. Some might perceive this as a veiled threat, but I think Wandalowski means that the best way to get what you need for your department is at a public meeting.  

My own experience is that McClure has always been responsive to questions, and at all hours. Yes, some department heads will make me go through Becky Bartlett, but most just talk to me over minor matters.  

CYF's newest Administrator, Maria Torres, has no experience in the public sector. It apparently has not dawned on her yet that she has a special obligation to the public she serves, not just the person who gave her a job. She's been CYF Administrator for less than a year. She's been with the county for less than a year and a half. Prior to that, she was at Kidspeace. That just happens to be where Wandalowski worked, and for 17 years, before coming to the County.   

I find it a bit odd that Torres would be selected for this position over Human Services workers who may be more qualified and definitely have a better understanding of county government.

While Wandalowski appears to have the right approach to outside inquiries, CYF Director Maria Torres does not. She had a meeting yesterday with CYF Supervisors. She directed them to refuse to share information or stats with anyone. They were also told they have a "rat" who is leaking information to me. 

Torres should know that this "rat" is none other thasn her boss, Sue Wandalowski. Her failure to grasp this simple fact makes me wonder why she is a CYF Director at all, aside from being one of Wandalowski's former work colleagues. If Torres knew anything about Northampton County, which she clearly does not, she'd know that the more you try to keep something secret, the more likely it is that we all know about it in a matter of hours.   

And so I was tipped by someone who never shared anything with me before. 

Maria, you should be a little more focused on filling caseworker vacancies and a little less concerned about hiding things.  No wonder the vacancies grow,