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Family members and former staff urge independent review after turnover and retaliation claims at Pine Valley Community Village
Summary
Family members, a former employee and volunteers raised alarm about recent staff departures and alleged retaliation at Pine Valley Community Village; former staffer Angela Alexander said she experienced retaliation, and attendees called for an outside investigation and clearer communication from administrators.
Ann Wilson, a family member of a resident at Pine Valley Community Village, told the Pine Valley Subcommittee on May 20 that multiple nurses and staff have left the facility since December and urged an independent investigation into the turnover.
"There needs to be more communication on what is going on here," Wilson said, adding she was "scared of what is going to happen with support for my mother with all this turnover and change." She asked that current staff be involved in hiring and that background and drug checks be required for new hires.
Maureen, a volunteer and former employee who identified herself as foundation treasurer, said she had read the County Board investigative report and characterized it as "stilted" and inaccurate. She recommended spending resources on an outside review to avoid bias.
Former county employee Angela Alexander, who said she served for decades in nursing leadership, told the committee she felt she was retaliated against while employed at Pine Valley. "I was very much retaliated against within [the] facility while I was working there," Alexander said, and criticized the investigative report for not asking about licensed nursing department communication systems she said do exist at Pine Valley.
The new interim administrator and HR generalist, Angela Ball (introduced during the meeting), told the committee she has an "open door" for staff and community members and said leadership is meeting with staff and community and welcomes engagement. Ball and other administrators described hiring and training plans and said they are working to stabilize staffing.
Kristen, introduced as the new director of nursing, described more than 20 years of nursing experience and emphasized team building and support for staff. "That is my priority and goal is to bring everybody together," she said.
The subcommittee members discussed the matter and noted the county board may take the issue up; a closed session at the county board was mentioned as scheduled the following night. Chair and members said follow‑up would occur and that staff (including the interim administrator) would be available for additional questions.
The subcommittee did not take a formal vote on an independent investigation during the meeting; members instead heard public comments, recorded concerns, and signaled the issue may move to the county board for further action.
