An article published Friday, February 23, in the Chicago Tribune says an effort to close residential care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities in Illinois is not working well for some.
“Reforms promised but group homes still suffering from problems” by Michael J. Berens says 22 new residents have been admitted to Murray Developmental Center, a state facility. Most have come from group homes, says the story.
“…some vulnerable adults who failed to thrive in group homes have been quietly granted admission at a state facility, marking a dramatic shift in state policy. Previously, state officials emphasized closing those facilities and moving residents to group homes,” it says.
Inadequate state funding for community-based services, resulting in staffing shortages, is cited as an exacerbating factor by group home industry leaders, says the report.
The article focuses on the experiences of one mother of a woman with developmental disabilities and her evidence that her daughter has fared better under state care.
The article states, “In 2012, several high-ranking state officials maintained that all Murray residents could safely live in a community-based residence like a group home no matter how severe the disability.
“But that prediction has been undercut by Illinois’ failure to adequately fund group homes, providers told the Tribune. Illinois’ ranks among the bottom states for funding community care, federal studies show.
“Today, many see Murray as a vital safety valve.”
The entire report can be found online at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/grouphomes/ct-met-group-home-murray-20180123-story.html#nws=true.
Montana is currently in the process of closing the state’s residential facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, the Montana Developmental Center in Boulder. The 2015 Montana Legislature voted to close the MDC and in 2017 the Legislature extended the deadline to June 30, 2019.
An advisory panel appointed by the governor recommended keeping open a 12-bed facility as a short-term, intensive care facility for those unable to fit into private community care.
In the meantime, operators of private group homes and services have said state funding cuts jeopardize their ability to provide services.
