Unfortunately, the information has been so hard to come by that I started to think it might be worth writing about that–how hard it is to get information about her current well-being.
One of the criticisms leveled against Fernald by those calling for its closure is that residents there are “segregated” from the community. So, now that A.T. is in the community, you'd think it would be easy to find out what's going on with her. However, her community-integrated group home has maintained a no-visitors policy. Friends from Fernald who have tried to visit have been turned away.
We do know that United State's Attorney Michael Sullivan's office has begun an investigation of the circumstances surrounding A.T.'s transfer. The investigation was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro on February 27, after a day of testimony in his courtroom.
We still don't know what the conditions in the Bedford group home are like–not even what the staffing level is there. A.T. was one of six Fernald residents who were transferred from Fernald to the group home in Bedford. All six were represented legally by the same corporate guardian, the Arc of Greater Boston (GBARC), which approved the moves in cooperation with the Department of Mental Retardation.
A.T., who had lived at Fernald for 50 years and who is legally blind, had repeatedly told her longtime caregivers that she didn't want to leave Fernald. She had never met the other residents who were transfered to the Bedford facility, all of whom are reportedly profoundly mentally retarded and do not speak. A.T. has moderate mental retardation and does speak.
At the time of the transfers, Terri Angelone, CEO of GBARC, told the Waltham Daily News Tribune that the level of care at the Bedford facility was higher than at Fernald and that A.T. would receive a greater level of care there. We were skeptical of that claim. After all, the administration wants to close Fernald for the very reason that it has a very high staff-to-client ratio, which costs money to maintain.
So, on March 7, we sent a public records request to DMR for a list of the direct-care, clinical, and professional staff providing care to the residents of the Bedford group home, and their names, positions, full-time equivalent hours per week and salaries.
The Public Records Law gives state agencies 10 days to respond to information requests. However, nearly a month and a half later, we have yet to receive a response to our request. On April 9, a member of DMR's legal staff apologized for the delay and told me over the phone that the agency was “working on” our request and should have something to us by the following week. We still haven't heard from him.
As I mentioned, it's hard to get information on this.
I too have been wondering about Anna.
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p>Isn’t it ironic. What I would call uneducated comments from those pushing to close Fernald have characterized it as an unnatural and segregated environment (almost prison like–they are obviously unfamiliar with the community that is Fernald). They boast that group homes are much more open and provide for freedom to participate in the community. I GUESS NOT FOR ANNA.
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p>Anna has been at her new home since mid-February and she still is not allowed visitors. None of her long-time “Fernald family and friends” have been allowed to see her. As I recall in court testimony the no visitor policy would be in effect for a couple of weeks to aid in the transition. Its now the end of April. Considerably more than a couple of weeks. It makes me wonder what other activities she used to enjoy at Fernald that are now restricted. MORE FREEDOM–SURE SOUNDS PRISON LIKE TO ME. But I forgot, this move was in her best interest.
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p>I hope when you finally get a response to your information request that Anna is alive and OK.
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It is truly amazing that no one from Fernald, staff or friends, can inquire about AT and how she is doing in her new surroundings. She had many friends at Fernald and now these same people that saw AT on a daily bases are not allowed to inquire how she is doing. Why is the DMR putting such a huge wall around this resident? It is like this elderly little woman has been exiled to another country.
She is truly being segregated from her many friends and has been removed from her familiar surroundings on false pretences. Her right to remain in her long time home was denied to her. It was not a secret on Fernald grounds that she expressed many times that she did not want to move. Why did no one listen to her? How is she doing today? These are just a few unanswered questions that need to be answered!
David – I asked this a while ago. Can ANYONE claim standing to challange ARC’s actions as ‘guardian’?
We will file an appeal with the state Public Records Division this week if we don’t get a response to our public records request in the next day or so. I think you’re right that we should bring this to the attention either of Judge Tauro or U.S. Attorney Sullivan. I think Sullivan’s investigation will focus, at least in part, on the appropriateness of GBARC’s actions as guardian in this case.
Once again, I can’t believe the audacity of all of you. You had your day in court. The Judge ordered the US Attorney, an objective participant, to investigate all these so called atrocities going on with AT. Why don’t you wait to see what the US Attorney says? You are requesting all this information. Why? Don’t you believe that Judge Tauro knows what he is doing? I just can’t imagine that anyone would be arguing to keep a person from living in a home in the community versus a facility. You are so quick to condemn GBARC. Who are you? What is your motive to keep Fernald open? Who is asking to see your financial records. Who is paying your legal representation? Is it the employees’ Union at Fernald? How dare you ask for the names and salary of the staff at Bedford. They are people who simply care for people. Why don’t all of you declare your names and salary? It is one thing to take on the policy makers. But why are you outing the people that provide direct service. No wonder no one goes into this profession! You are now directing your attacks at the very people we all depend on to take care of our sons and daughters. Get a grip!