Fw: Fw: Arc Letter to Legislative Commission on Closures

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----- Forwarded Message ----

From: Bonnie Dohogne <BDohogne@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Wed, October 19, 2011 12:42:47 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: Arc Letter to Legislative Commission on Closures

Ellen,

I totally agree - well said. I think it is good for us to remember -- and even

better -- to remind our legislators that the IL House and Senate has passed a

joint resolution requiring DHS/DDD to plan for enhanced and expanded access to

quality community services. See info on the Blueprint at

www.state.il.us/agency/icdd.

" Expanding and enhancing " can only happen with funding - rebalancing the state's

system. So we should ask our legislators to make that resolution a reality with

needed funding.

I found the testimony of Partridge at Monday's COGFA hearing very

moving. She mentioned two things about her son on the autism spectrum that can

apply to many of us and our loved ones: the damage of low expectations and the

positive difference a " healthier " (supportive) environment can make in someone's

behavior, motivation and skills. The supports she described could be possible

in the community with Waiver funding that's not going to SODCs.

My husband and I had to fight low expectations of our son when he was in high

school. We went into one meeting really primed - brought along his godfather

(from Rehab Institute), who said the most disabling thing for anyone is not a

particular condition, but low expectations. Scout master said he fully expected

Jonathon to make Eagle Scout, etc. We had to help a couple teachers see past

that really low IQ score. Similarly, legislators must hear from us about how

community supports do work - getting past all those labels.

Someone's IPADD posting recently mentioned or asked about family members needing

to be more involved/spend more time if an adult child is supported in the

community. (Sorry, if I that wasn't quite the thought). It can take more time,

but offers many opportunities. Not just in the present, as in finding and

paying some support worker who really gets it about your loved one. But also

for the future. One of the hardest things for me to do was ask people in my

husband's family to be there for Jonathon after we're gone. I have no sibs.

A wonderful process helped so much. It's a person-centered planning approach

through Center for Independent Futures (CIF): " Full Life Future Planning

(FLFP). " It centers on an individual's hopes and dreams and brings in family

and friends for support. Because of that process, we were able to talk with

in-laws about future roles, e.g., managing finances. And Jonathon's " team "

functions in the present, too. His cousin and wife have come to Chicago the

past two years to take him to a Cubs game. CIF can do the FLFP for any

family, This sounds like a testimonial, and it is

Bonnie Dohogne

________________________________

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Mon, October 17, 2011 4:29:28 PM

Subject: Fw: Arc Letter to Legislative Commission on Closures

Arc Letter to Legislative Commission on ClosuresFYI...

The reason I am sending all the information on this is because IPADDU is all

about community inclusion AND, for those of you who are not getting the

community supports and services that are needed for your loved one, I would

suggest that we need to work to rebalance the system...While we need to

understand that there is no guarantee that if institutions close there will be

more resources for everyone, but I can pretty much guarantee that until

institutions close, there will be an inordinate amount of DHS/DDD dollars spent

on a small number of individuals for institutional care and many of your loved

ones will not get what they need.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Arc Letter to Legislative Commission on Closures

Advocates gather in Dixon for the hearing on closing Mabley. Is this email not

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Dear Ellen,

The following letter was sent this morning to all of the members of the

Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability or COGFA.

Tonight advocates will gather in Dixon to testify about closing Mabley

Developmental Center.

Tony

Dear

The Arc of Illinois represents infants, children and adults with intellectual

and other developmental disabilities.

The Arc supports the closures of Mabley and ville Developmental Centers

as long as the people living there have a safe and smooth transition to

community services. We need to make sure that the necessary resources are

available to community providers to insure that transition.

We also wanted to remind you of the editorial support around the state

supporting the closing of state institutions and rebalancing toward community

living.

The Tribunes’ Sept. 30, 2011 editorial, “Moving to Community Care†says it

best

by stating, “Let’s make a swift, smooth transition that provides residents

with

new homes that offer superior living arrangements and opportunities for personal

growth. It’s time.â€

I have copied this editorial and the statements from other editorial boards

including:

1.. Chicago Tribune

2.. State Journal-Register

3.. Pantagraph

4.. Rockford Register Star

5.. Chicago Sun-Times

It is time to rebalance the Illinois Disability System.

The Arc urges you to support a safe and smooth transition to the community for

the individuals at Mabley and ville.

Sincerely,

Tony auski

Editorials

Moving to community care

State-run centers for developmentally disabled finally on the way out

September 30, 2011We suspect Gov. Pat Quinn isn't entirely serious about his

threat to shut down seven state facilities and lay off 1,900 workers to close

what he says is a $313 million budget gap. The governor may be trying to goad

lawmakers into borrowing more money to stave off these cuts.

But if he follows through on at least some of these moves, he will make genuine,

humane progress on behalf of some vulnerable citizens.

The governor's plans would launch an overdue revamp of the state program serving

the developmentally disabled — people with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy,

autism

and other challenges.

Illinois' treatment of the developmentally disabled lags way behind the times.

Other states have proved convincingly that in most cases, institutionalizing

people in big government-run facilities hurts everyone concerned and wastes

money. Community-based organizations offer small neighborhood group homes and

other varied options for care and generally provide better results at a much

lower cost.

Up to now, vested interests in state government have thwarted progress toward

community care, despite a history of problems with the state institutions. A

scandal that brought to light abusive treatment and padded staffing costs at the

Howe Developmental Center in southwest suburban Tinley Park eventually led to

that facility closing last year. Yet the other eight centers operated by the

state have shown remarkable staying power, at an annual cost of roughly $300

million.

Quinn has called for shutting down two of the eight centers. That's a good

beginning point, especially since it coincides with a plan to reduce the

population at the remaining centers.

The governor has started to lay the groundwork for a responsible transition that

takes into account the needs of families, guardians and residents, while phasing

out an obsolete system.

One milestone: Quinn recently settled the last of three long-standing lawsuits

aimed at forcing state-funded providers to offer less-restrictive options for

care. The governor also has sought input from advocates for the disabled about

how to manage the state and federal money available for a transition, establish

a reasonable timetable and arrange for follow-up monitoring.

Shutting down these centers is no simple matter. It requires extensive

documentation, public hearings and negotiations with union workers who have

angrily denounced the governor's plan. No one would be surprised if AFSCME were

to seek arbitration or file suit in an effort to preserve the status quo and the

entrenched union jobs that go with it.

Remember, during his election campaign last year, Quinn made a promise to AFSCME

that the state wouldn't close any institutions or lay off workers through June

2012. The governor says he doesn't have to abide by that deal because the

legislature didn't give him enough money to pay for the institutions and the

jobs through June.

Some of these institutions need to close, and as quickly as it is safe to do so.

The paramount consideration should be the welfare of the residents now in state

care. They're a fragile group, and those with challenging behaviors and

intensive medical needs should be treated with caution and sensitivity. We

believe the community system has the wherewithal not only to serve those now

housed in state institutions, but to serve them better. Still, it's critically

important to ensure that every placement is appropriate, and not force any that

aren't.

State employees of the centers could make the process easier. Staff could

support the idea of moving, help match residents with the best possible

community placement options and work diligently to assist in the transition.

We hope that happens. If not, this change will be more painful and disruptive

than it needs to be. Let's make a swift, smooth transition that provides

residents with new homes that offer superior living arrangements and

opportunities for personal growth. It's time.

Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune

Editorial Support for Community Services

The time to reform and rebalance the Developmental Disability System in Illinois

is NOW. These editorial boards get it!

Chicago Tribune, May 23, 2011

“Disability advocates say the state could save roughly $170 million by closing

four of its eight institutions. This needs to happen in a way that’s least

disruptive for the people at these institutions. But it needs to happen.â€

State Journal-Register, May 22, 2011:

“For years, advocates for the developmentally disabled have tried, with very

limited success, to persuade the state to move away from reliance on

institutions and toward greater use of residential group homes and community

programs for those with developmental disabilities.â€

“Illinois must move out of the dark ages in treating its most vulnerable

citizens.â€

Pantagraph.com, May 22, 2011

“… the trend in recent years has been moving toward community-based settings

–

and Illinois lags far behind other states that have scaled back or eliminated

state-run institutions for those with developmental disabilities.â€

“It is a matter worthy of consideration – for financial as well as

humanitarian

reasons.â€

Rockford Register Star, April 27, 2011

“Illinois has its priorities exactly backward.â€

“Is it any wonder why Illinois is ranked 51st in the nation for supporting

citizens in their communities?

Chicago Sun-Times, June 15, 2011

“For a state looking to cuts costs wherever it can, moving away from expensive

institutional care is imperative.â€

“States that have seen the light have moved away from warehousing people with

disabilities in large, residential facilities in favor of placing them in

smaller, community-based settings.â€

..

Tony auski

Executive

The Arc of Illinois

20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209

fort, IL 60423

815-464-1832 (OFFICE)

708-828-0188 (CELL)

Tony@...

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