State Lifts Hiring Freeze at Mental Health Care Facilities

On Friday, California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley said she is removing a hiring freeze at the state's mental hospitals to address concerns about violence. The action provides an exception to a statewide hiring freeze on vacant positions imposed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D). According to Cindy Radavsky -- deputy director of long-term care services at the California Department of Mental Health -- about 25 positions at Napa State Hospital will be the first positions filled.

• "Hiring Freeze Ends at State Mental Hospitals" (Romney, Los Angeles Times, 4/15).