(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) The mother of an intellectually disabled man, who has been locked in a dispute with the Department of Developmental Services for several years over her son's medical needs, will be able to remain as his … [Read more...]
The system continues to fail the most vulnerable in the Templeton case
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) It seems that as events unfold in the wake of the alleged fatal assault of an intellectually disabled man at the Templeton Developmental Center in September, the system continues to fail everyone it was … [Read more...]
A disappointing update on sheltered workshops in Massachusetts
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) In a post the other day, I suggested that state Department of Developmental Services Commissioner Elin Howe talk to family members of sheltered workshop participants, who maintain the programs have … [Read more...]
Sheltered workshops under fire in Massachusetts
(Cross-posted from the COFAR Blog) Paul Buonomo enjoys his job stuffing envelopes, collating papers and carrying out other tasks in a program in Danvers known as a sheltered workshop. His parents, Doris and Joe Buonomo, maintain that … [Read more...]
Bedford group home resident’s injuries raise disturbing questions
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) We don't yet know what happened to cause the serious injuries suffered in late August by Paul Stanizzi, a resident of a group home for the intellectually disabled in Bedford. The incident is … [Read more...]
Seven Hills families win reprieve from eviction
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) This post is about one of the few cases in Massachusetts in which families and guardians of the residents of a congregate care facility for the disabled appear to have won out over … [Read more...]
Massachusetts lags in criminal background checks for caregivers to disabled
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) While the Patrick administration appears to support national criminal background checks for people hired to care for the intellectually disabled, the administration has failed to apply for federal grant … [Read more...]
Making care for the disabled a zero-sum game
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) There is no question that Massachusetts is facing budget problems that are making it increasingly difficult to fund services for our most vulnerable citizens, particularly those with intellectual and … [Read more...]
We can do better than the final DDS budget for current fiscal year
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) As we start the 2014 fiscal year, there was some good news, but mostly bad news for people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the final budget produced by the Legislature last … [Read more...]
State-run facilities being asked to do more with less
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) State-operated care appears to be in increasing fiscal trouble in Massachusetts even though that type of care remains the choice of many families, including those whose loved ones have been transferred … [Read more...]