Texas, feds reach tentative pact on institutions
May 14th, 2009From the Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle:
The state of Texas and the U.S. Department of Justice have reached a tentative agreement on resolving civil rights violations at the 13 Texas institutions for people with intellectual disabilities, according to state officials.
The state has been cited for a long history of abuse and neglect at the facilities, and recently faced sharp criticism when staff members at the Corpus Christi State School were caught on video staging “fight club” brawls between residents.
A draft plan calls for improving psychiatric services, better monitoring residents’ prescription drugs and enhancing staff training, said Stephanie Goodman, a spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services Commission. It would also lead to more staff members being hired, she said.
… [State Rep. Abel] Herrero said Wednesday: “It shouldn’t come down to the (Justice Department’s) investigation or incidents that make national news for the state to realize it’s failing in meeting the legal, ethical and moral obligations it has in caring for the state’s most vulnerable population.”
Lawmakers would have to approve the details of the arrangement. If the state does not reach a settlement with the Justice Department, it could face a federal lawsuit.
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May 14th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Really? I mean, c’mon. Throw money (training, staff) at a problem that is not just about staffing levels or better trained workers, but about an outdated way of providing basic support to people with intellectual disabilities — yup, that’s the answer.
Texas, being one of the worst when it comes to spending on institutional care and one of the longest waiting lists for community services, has yet again missed an opportunity to rebalance the system there to provide care where people actually want it — in the community. What will it take for them to get it?