Is it true PROS is planning on discontinuing the dinner meal?
[YES] As of the June 2011 consumer advisory board meeting it was briefly mentioned that PROS IS considering taking away the evening meal. It was said in such a way that there was no room for discussion. I am hoping to be able to address the issue at the next meeting. I am curious why they are considering this. I am assuming it is to cut costs but not sure if this is the only reason nor a good one.
Some of the problems that I have with this idea dip into the health and mental health concerns. Let me share few with you and hope that if you are a PROSumer or have any influence in their decision making that you will join me in expressing these concerns.
1) Meals are often used as a way to get people to paricipate in attending.
If you don’t believe this, go to a company function where food is not served. Though out history meals have been used this way.
2) Nutrition
Many PROSumers consider the dinner the heathiest meal they get because if they stay home they will eat garbage because they cannot offord healthy food nor have ability, desire or motivation to prepare it. There has been a huge push towards healthier eating during the last few years. The mental health community is riddled with diabeties, obesity and other food related causes.
PROS is planning on having classes on how to prep heathier meals so they even admitt this is a big issue but they don’t want to do the actual providing.
3) Costs
The meals are paid for by the federal food program through the department of health. Before Collage was exicuted, Mary Lou would go to the store and find out what was on sale and create a fantastic meal from it. She followed the health guidelines set down by the department of heath. So the food doesn’t them anything.
4) Employees
By getting rid of the dinner PROS would be able to reduce the number of hours and employee used for the meal. The PROSumer staff learn good job skills by working in the kitchen.
So with all the positives of keeping the dinner we have to ask why would they be considering this. Keep in mind that most of the clinical staff leave before the dinner meal is served so it is not affecting most of them directly. I laugh at the fact that they are headed home to a healthy meal because they can afford it.
So what it it. I am starting to wonder if this is a part of a goal to turn PROS into something like a private “for profit” comany would do if they ran the program. If not they are doing a really great job at keeping PROS identicle to what CDT was with no change and completely eliminating the Collage componant.
Its gonna be intersting to see how this plays out.
Mike Abair
July 9, 2011
collagesocialclub
1 responses to “PROS Dinner being canceled”
cel01
July 9th, 2011 at 11:43
I am not in a position to directly effect the PROS program since I am not a participant.
It is concerning to see the poor not getting the services they need.
I thought the reason why mental health services is tied to a hospital was because it is a medical issue. I would think proper nutrition would be encouraged and supported.
You have my support even if I am not in a position to effect change.
You are not alone with your concerns.