(Cross-posted from the COFAR blog) No doubt, State Rep. Brian Dempsey, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has never talked with Joan Douty, the mother of a resident of the Glavin Regional Center in Shrewsbury. Joan could … [Read more...]
We need an independent cost comparison in closing developmental centers
We have just reviewed a purported cost-benefit analysis that was submitted to the Legislature last July by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance regarding the planned closures of the Monson, Templeton, and Glavin Centers. For … [Read more...]
Services provided in the DD community service system are not one size fits all
I have worked with many families, staff, and individuals who have moved out of Fernald and places like that. Once out no one has ever asked to go back. A lot of times hesitation to move is a result of not knowing aything else. There is … [Read more...]
The Magic Garden or the Green Pool are not ghettos
Sometimes I prefer to have a special place to go to, and not to have to deal with those who are stronger, faster, and often less than kind. We are not all cogs and widgets that need to roll down the same assembly line. Some of us need more … [Read more...]
Lege fighting (timidly) for DDS facilities
Last year's language was watered down to eliminate a requirement that the Legislature approve the cost-benefit analysis before any facility could be closed. This year's language is similarly watered down. No … [Read more...]
Administration facility closure analyses fall short…again
Gobi claims the study, done by the Department of Developmental Services, did not even address the question whether community settings are less expensive than institutional ones. Funny, we thought cost was a major reason for … [Read more...]
The governor’s $200 million conflict of interest
The Fernald Center sits on roughly 200 acres of land, much of it prime real estate within the City of Waltham. At a meeting this past Wednesday night of a subcommittee of a city/state panel that is planning for the reuse of the … [Read more...]
DMR’s group home monitoring system
Gail Grossman, the DMR offical in charge of QUEST, was first asked by one of the callers on the line how often the group homes were visited and licensed.She answered the question very selectively. Each home that … [Read more...]
Stop pending cuts to the already bare bones Disabled Persons Protection Commission [DPPC] –
Quote from yesterday's rally at the State House on behalf of the disabled: COFAR President David J. Hart presided, pointing to two budget cuts under $200,000 each that affected hundreds or thousands of disabled people, one to the … [Read more...]
DMR Facility Closings
The truth of the matter is that our communities have proven that people with mental retardation can thrive in smaller settings while accessing the medical and recreation necessary to support their needs. While the community setting has … [Read more...]
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