‘We should close them all’
July 22nd, 2010Institutions endure in Virginia, amid controversy
Virginians with disabilities are caught in a system with too many antiquated institutions and too little money for community care, Henri E. Cauvin writes in the Washington Post. The state is one of just 11 that have not closed any institutions.
Former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine stirred public controversy last year when he announced a plan to close the Southeastern Virginia Training Center, a 97-acre facility in Chesapeake with 133 residents and 400 employees. Following vocal complaints and active lobbying by families to keep the place open, the state has instead commenced a $23.7 million rebuilding project. The decision is an indication that the state’s path to deinstitutionalization will continue to be slow, Cauvin writes.
Supporters of Southeastern say community care should not be the only option available for families. Advocates like The Arc of Virginia argue that the state could serve more people if it shifted its limited resources away from its five large institutions and toward community-based services that would allow people to live in their own homes.
“We should close them all,” said Charles Hall, a local mental health official in the Hampton Roads area. “But Virginia is very predictably conservative when it comes to things like this.”
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July 27th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Why can’t home care attendants be looked at as job creation for the economy? Those who once worked in an institution can now work in a home. Why can’t attendant pay be linked up with a healthcare giant? I do agree, Medicaid will never be enough. You can’t survive on a home care attendant (Medicaid) salary alone. But why can’t Medicaid pay be supplemented with another entity?
July 24th, 2010 at 7:31 am
When Virginia as well as other states are slashing adult services — even for those on waivers — it can no longer be said that community-based services will be there — even for those with the most intense needs of direct support and/or supervision.
So don’t tell parents (especially elderly) that a son or daughter will definitely get better care out in the community. It is an ideal and a goal which should be sought, but let’s not be fooled into thinking it will be best for all. Just like there needs to a continuum of educational services/placements for students with disabilities, full community inclusion can be just as isolating and detrimental as full educational inclusion for some.
And, I do believe that nationally the Medicaid Waiver system funding adult services will never be the same to financially ensure the supports needed.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:02 am
Virginia is worried about losing jobs. Fear is overshadowing allowing people to live in the community.
PS. VA just cut aide pay. That can’t help.