Comments on: Finally a fix for Human Services. Please contact your representatives!

By: bean-in-the-burbs

bean-in-the-burbs — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I hope he can move the Speaker on this.

By: dave-from-hvad

dave-from-hvad — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

but it's not clear to me how this bill will fix the problem. The problem is that the governor and Legislature haven't adequately funded the system.

p>I'm also skeptical of the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation report, which largely calls for reducing or eliminating regulation of the provider system, which contracts with the Department of Mental Retardation and other human services agencies. There is too little oversight of this system as it is. Medication errors, physical and sexual abuse and neglect are rampant problems in community-based group homes in the state. The commonwealth has few resources to inspect those homes, and yet the MTF is calling for less oversight and regulation.

By: heartlanddem

heartlanddem — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Medication errors, physical and sexual abuse and neglect are rampant problems in community-based group homes in the state.

p>Could you provide some documentation?

p>I am not sure these types of blanket statements are useful.

By: heartlanddem

heartlanddem — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

and management strategies for bulk purchase of supplies? How are energy and facility maintenance costs managed?

p>Maybe, along with special education we need a dialog about consumers/families contributing to sevices for special needs individuals when the financial means exist?

p>It is pretty clear that all of the current systems (health care, education, social services, infrastructure, law enforcement...) are collapsing and paradigm shift is needed.

p>Raise consumption taxes and explore user fees based on financial means-test?

By: lynpb

lynpb — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

You need to learn more about community programs. There is a lot of oversight by the state. DMR Service Coordinators visit the houses once a month, Survey and Certification (formerly known as QUEST) monitor annually, and then there are the random visits by Citizen Monitoring Teams.

p>I have been working in the community for one agency for 16 years. There has not been one incidence of physical or sexual abuse or neglect.

By: lynpb

lynpb — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

By: dave-from-hvad

dave-from-hvad — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

were voiced by U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan in his report last year to Judge Tauro in the Fernald case. Sullivan based his statements on reports by the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. Also the Wrentham Association documented abuse in the community system in a brief filed in the Fernald case in 2006. An account of the Wrentham brief can be found in the March 2006 issue of the COFAR Voice.

By: dave-from-hvad

dave-from-hvad — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Are you sure the agency has not had one incidence of physical abuse or neglect? That would be quite unusual. As for QUEST and consumer satisfaction surveys, I would refer you to the Wrentham Assn. brief (noted in my comment to HeartlandDEM above). As the COFAR Voice article about the U.S. Attorney’s investigation notes, the Wrentham brief found DMR’s oversight of the community system to be inadequate.

By: lynpb

lynpb — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Have you ever been to a community program?

p>It is easier to hide abuse in the institutions. In the community there are more eyes.

p>Yes I am sure that there has not been one incident of abuse or neglect.