Governor's plan for cost savings...downsizing SODC's

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Thank you Charlotte for sharing this with us:

Governor Quinn's Rebalancing Initiative-November 2011

Summary

Developmental Disabilities

The Department of Human Services will reduce the number of residents served by

State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODCs) by at least 600 by the end of FY

14. This will permit DHS to close up to four facilities in the next 2.5 years.

Mental Health

The Department of Human Services will close at least two state psychiatric

hospitals by the end of FY 14.

Implementation Plan

FY 12 Developmental Disabilities

The Division of Developmental Disabilities will initiate closures of SODCs

during FY 12. To accomplish this, the department will:

1. Halt new admissions at first facility.

2. Assess and develop transition care plans for all current residents beginning

December 1, 2011.

3. Initiate transfers to community based settings beginning January 1, 2012.

4. Transfer residents at the rate of 20 per month beginning in January until the

facility is closed in the first quarter FY 13.

FY 12 Mental Health

The Division of Mental Health will:

1. Halt new admissions at Tinley Park (based on current appropriations).

2. Continue to treat current patients until discharge, within 14-21 days.

3. Develop care plans for patients who will have challenges discharging to

community services after the treatment of their acute disorder.

4. Discharge remaining residents to the community providers or hospitals

selected.

5. Develop and implement plan to maintain on-campus food and pharmaceutical

services that serve other SODCs and state psychiatric hospitals in the area.

FY 13 and FY 14 Developmental Disabilities

DHS will continue to assess and transition residents from other SODCs throughout

FYs 13 and 14 so that up to four centers will be closed by the end of FY 14.

The Department will work collaboratively with the General Assembly during the

Spring session to determine the additional facilities that will be closed over

the next two and a half years. The factors for facility closure should include:

1. Quality assurance issues

2. Assessment of residents

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3. Current census, including average length of time residing in Center, special

needs of residents

4. Physical plants (both anticipated future costs for maintenance as well as

design of each Center and the design's impact on staffing costs, living

experience, etc.)

5. Current staffing levels and overtime usage.

Governor Quinn's FY 13 and FY 14 budget requests will include funding for

community placements for all residents of SODCs who are scheduled for

transition. For budgeting purposes we estimate that the average cost of care in

the community will be $7,000 per month in FY 12. Subsequent years will include

adequate reimbursements for community- based providers to deliver quality care.

Their support is essential to assure the successful transition of residents and

to achieve the rebalancing of spending objectives shared by Governor Quinn and

the General Assembly.

The out-years' budget requests will reflect substantial savings from

institutional operations. Specifically, the Department will:

? Reduce staffing levels through management of attrition and targeted layoffs as

necessary. Labor relation plans will be negotiated as closures begin.

? Reduce other operating costs as census declines permit.

? Reduce all remaining operating costs once all residents have left the facility

and it can be permanently closed.

Fiscal Year

Census Reduction

Center Closure

FY12

120 persons

FY13

240 persons

1 SODC by 12/31/12

1 SODC by 6/30/13

FY14

240 persons

1 SODC by 12/31/13

1 SODC by 6/30/14

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...