Modesto Bee

Caring for the state's disabled

By Richard W. Jacobs
(Published: Thursday, January 08, 1998)

The Dec. 17 editorial "Neglect of the disabled" contains
some factual errors and misconceptions regarding the
recent Health Care Financing Administration audit of
California's program of generating federal funds for
services to children and adults with developmental
disabilities.

It is not correct that all participants in the program
have lived in state hospitals. Of the 35,105 targeted in the
audit, only about 11 percent have lived in state hospitals
(developmental centers) during the past 10 years.

Nor is it accurate to say categorically that they live in
group homes. In our service area, which includes
Stanislaus County, only 56 percent are living in such
homes. The other 44 percent are living with their families
or on their own with support services.

Contrary to your implication, the majority of group
home operators are experienced and dedicated
professionals. The state has started to increase rates for
these homes and clearly needs to continue the process so
they can retain trained and competent staff.

In addition, the question of mortality in community
settings is under intense scrutiny, and early results seem
to indicate that death rates are no higher than in
institutions.

Equating California's continuing effort to move people
out of developmental centers with the depopulation of
mental health facilities in the '70s is also in error. The
mentally ill unfortunately had nothing like the support
system in place today for people with developmental
disabilities.

For example, there is 24-hour emergency response,
clinical teams to deal with behavior problems, in-home
assistance for people living on their own, legal advocacy
services, and regular visits from case managers.

There are indeed problems. The federal audit correctly
points out that there are serious issues with both
over-medication and inadequate access to health services
-- both of which are receiving concentrated attention at
both the state and local levels.

Finally, The Bee and its readers should keep in mind
that the federal government is enforcing its audit by
threatening to take away dollars that pay for services to
our most vulnerable citizens.

The only losers in a protracted funding battle will be
people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Jacobs is executive director of the
Modesto-based Valley Mountain Regional Center.