ADMH Commissioner Kimberly Boswell discusses the state's mental health initiatives at its February board meeting. (Photo/Alander Rocha)
The head of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) said Friday that the department has made progress addressing staffing shortages at several state facilities.
Commissioner Kimberly Boswell said at a Friday meeting of the board of trustees in Montgomery that staffing levels have improved. Across the three Tuscaloosa-based state-operated facilities — Bryce Hospital; Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center and Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility — 66% of mental health technicians and nurses positions have been filled. Boswell said the goal is to have at least 80% of positions filled.
“Staffing is improving at our state hospitals, and so our reliance on emergency contract staffing is decreased,” Boswell said, which she said is significantly more expensive.
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A mental health technician helps lead patients in recreational activities; makes and reports observations and takes vital signs. It is an entry-level position that only requires a high school diploma or GED and does not require experience.
Staffing levels are not equal between facilities or positions, according to Boswell. The department has filled 74% of technician roles across its facilities but only 43% of nursing positions.
Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center has filled 84% of its mental health technician positions, but just 57% of nursing positions. Combined, the facility has filled 77% of positions.
“Harper Center is doing really well with mental health workers … and our facility staff have done a miraculous job really recruiting and retaining staff,” Boswell said.
Bryce Hospital has also struggled to hire nurses, with 34% of positions filled, compared to 77% of technician roles filled.
Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, which provides psychiatric beds for the incarcerated, continues to face significant challenges, Boswell said. Only 51% of mental health technician positions are filled, the most understaffed state-run facilities and 48% of nursing positions are filled.
Boswell said a new facility at Taylor Hardin could improve hiring. Patients who have been moved to the new facility have shown improvements, which Boswell believes will help attract more staff.
“What’s going to happen is we’re going to move everyone over to the new building while we renovate the old space, so it will be a much more pleasant environment. Some folks will be in a brand-new building, and some folks will be in a renovated space, and we think that’ll make a huge difference for recruitment,” Boswell said.
Boswell said the department has increased the average pay from an average of $9.91 an hour in 2023 to an average of $15.17 an hour in 2024, which she said has helped with retention.
“Obviously that investment in that rate increase resulted in a drastic improvement in the hourly wage for the direct support professional,” she said.
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