In only five years, all but one of Virginia’s training centers, as the residential complexes for Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities are known, will be closed. Only one facility, with just 75 beds and located in Tidewater Virginia, will remain open; Central Virginia Training Center in Madison Heights will shut its doors in 2020.
It’s all part of how the commonwealth chose to implement a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over Virginia’s handling of the care, treatment and housing of people with profound developmental disabilities.
Showing posts with label Virginia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virginia. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Friday, August 5, 2011
Families Offer Varying Views on Va. Disability Care Options
LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The state's final public hearing on institutions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities this week brought out impassioned parents, relatives and advocates on both sides of a complex issue.
Some see large institutions, such as Lynchburg's Central Virginia Training Center, the largest and oldest, as needlessly segregating Virginians with disabilities from the rest of society.
They also say institutions' costly care — estimated at several thousand more than equivalent services in the community — are a drain on funding that could be used to move those training center residents into any number of community settings.
And it could help pay for thousands on waiting lists to receive services in their communities.
Some see large institutions, such as Lynchburg's Central Virginia Training Center, the largest and oldest, as needlessly segregating Virginians with disabilities from the rest of society.
They also say institutions' costly care — estimated at several thousand more than equivalent services in the community — are a drain on funding that could be used to move those training center residents into any number of community settings.
And it could help pay for thousands on waiting lists to receive services in their communities.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Va. Rule on Therapists' Licensing could Affect Autism Coverage
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Families of children with autism celebrated the passage of a law earlier this year that would require insurance to cover a costly treatment for the developmental disorder.
But advocates who worked more than a decade for the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, were disappointed to find out that an amendment made by the governor could delay a key piece as long as two years.
But advocates who worked more than a decade for the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, were disappointed to find out that an amendment made by the governor could delay a key piece as long as two years.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Editorial: Virginia Needs Reform Now
Virginia ranks in the gutter among states for Medicaid services provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, formerly characterized as mental retardation. They include those with a range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. Medicaid, a federal-state partnership, provides funding for people who are eligible for long-term care in institutions; Medicaid waivers allow payment for community-based services, such as group homes, supported employment and day activities.
The shortfall in waivers has to change — and sooner, rather than later. The U.S. Department of Justice made that clear in February when it lambasted the state for its policy of institutionalizing the intellectually disabled instead of providing community care.
The shortfall in waivers has to change — and sooner, rather than later. The U.S. Department of Justice made that clear in February when it lambasted the state for its policy of institutionalizing the intellectually disabled instead of providing community care.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Families Continue Wait for Medicaid Waivers
One in a series of in-depth looks at the Virginia Medicaid waiver situation. Putting a face to the problem.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kelsey Musick is 14 years old, loves Michael Jackson and likes to dance.
But if she's unhappy, she'll take off and hide.
She needs supervision to get dressed and out the door to catch the school bus. In the kitchen, she can make sandwiches and operate the microwave, but that's about it, her father, Kelly Musick, said.
Kelsey, who has Down syndrome, will need help for the rest of her life.
"I don't see her living independently," the Newport News resident said. "I don't see her ever having a checkbook. She needs mentored caring."
And what her parents can't provide, they hope a Medicaid waiver will.
Across the state, 8,327 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are being served by Medicaid waivers. The waivers allow Medicaid to pay for a wide range of in-home medical services that would not be covered otherwise. As of June 13, 5,790 people were on a waiting list for a waiver. Kelsey is one of them. But she's not one of the 3,216 people on the urgent list.
The state budget, which goes into effect July 1, adds $9.8 million for 275 more waiver slots. But there are about 275 people on the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board's waiting list alone — and about 100 of them are classified as "urgent." Kelsey is not one of them.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Kelsey Musick is 14 years old, loves Michael Jackson and likes to dance.
But if she's unhappy, she'll take off and hide.
She needs supervision to get dressed and out the door to catch the school bus. In the kitchen, she can make sandwiches and operate the microwave, but that's about it, her father, Kelly Musick, said.
Kelsey, who has Down syndrome, will need help for the rest of her life.
"I don't see her living independently," the Newport News resident said. "I don't see her ever having a checkbook. She needs mentored caring."
And what her parents can't provide, they hope a Medicaid waiver will.
Across the state, 8,327 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are being served by Medicaid waivers. The waivers allow Medicaid to pay for a wide range of in-home medical services that would not be covered otherwise. As of June 13, 5,790 people were on a waiting list for a waiver. Kelsey is one of them. But she's not one of the 3,216 people on the urgent list.
The state budget, which goes into effect July 1, adds $9.8 million for 275 more waiver slots. But there are about 275 people on the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board's waiting list alone — and about 100 of them are classified as "urgent." Kelsey is not one of them.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Official: Virginia-DOJ Agreement Possible
These are human lives we are talking about! How can states put a dollar value on providing a quality life for individuals with disabilities who have been warehoused and isolated? I recognize states are strapped for cash and tax payers are struggling. Hopefully an agreement can be struck.
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia's top health official said Monday he thinks the state can reach an agreement with the Department of Justice over civil rights violations at homes for the mentally and physically disabled by the summer and begin making changes by the fall.
The Department of Justice threatened to sue in February because it said Virginia violates federal law by needlessly warehousing the intellectually and severely disabled and failing to provide adequate treatment in the community.
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia's top health official said Monday he thinks the state can reach an agreement with the Department of Justice over civil rights violations at homes for the mentally and physically disabled by the summer and begin making changes by the fall.
The Department of Justice threatened to sue in February because it said Virginia violates federal law by needlessly warehousing the intellectually and severely disabled and failing to provide adequate treatment in the community.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Federal Cuts Threaten Programs
MANASSAS, Va. -- Tapping his toes to the music, Prince William County resident Sean Haley sang along to the theme song of "Scooby-Doo" on Thursday afternoon while watching the popular cartoon in his upstairs bedroom.
Haley, 48, said he tunes in daily and shares his love of Daphne and the gang with his six roommates who live in one of the Arc of Greater Prince William's group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The housing program might become a casualty of federal funding cuts. All eyes are on the Senate to see which of the House’s proposed $61 billion in spending cuts will become law, including those that jeopardize community development block grants.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Va. Governor Pushing for Autism Coverage
RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said Wednesday he will propose amendments to a bill that will require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism.
The bill was passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of attempts. However, opponents say the state cannot afford the costs in a tough economic climate.
Twenty-three other states mandate coverage for autism. Parents of children with autism and other advocates have been e-mailing the governor urging him to sign the bill as is written.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Virginia Gov. Seeks to Amend Bill Providing Autism Insurance Coverage for Children
RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will propose a series of amendments to a bill that would require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism, according to several legislators with knowledge of the changes.
The bill, passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of failed attempts, is strongly opposed by the business community, which considers the proposal a financial burden that companies cannot afford in tough economic times.
The bill, passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of failed attempts, is strongly opposed by the business community, which considers the proposal a financial burden that companies cannot afford in tough economic times.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Upgrades at Center Amid Uncertain Future
CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- At a time when the future of Virginia's training centers for the disabled hangs in the balance, there's a flurry of activity at the one tucked behind a busy industrial corridor in Greenbrier.
New roads are being laid at the Southeastern Virginia Training Center, and concrete poured for the foundations of 15 new cottages.
At the same time, state officials, to avoid a federal lawsuit, are vowing to make a dramatic shift in moving disabled people from institutions like Southeastern to community-based programs.
The question still to be answered is this:
Could the downsizing of the state's training centers lead to closing them altogether?
New roads are being laid at the Southeastern Virginia Training Center, and concrete poured for the foundations of 15 new cottages.
At the same time, state officials, to avoid a federal lawsuit, are vowing to make a dramatic shift in moving disabled people from institutions like Southeastern to community-based programs.
The question still to be answered is this:
Could the downsizing of the state's training centers lead to closing them altogether?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Effort to Remove 'R' Word Rejected
Unfortunately, you can't make this type of story up. Just pathetic that in this day and age people with intellectual disabilities are still being referred to by a phrase that is so stigmatizing that most states have removed it from offices and state legislation. What's it going to take to wake folks up in Virginia?
The Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday rejected an attempt to remove the words "mental retardation" from a bill that seeks to appropriate $30 million to a special fund to move residents of the state's training centers into community-based housing.
Del. Robin Abbott, D-Newport News, asked legislators to change the phrase "mental retardation" to read "intellectual and developmental disabilities."
"These words are very damaging and hurtful and there is no excuse for them to be in our code today," Abbott said.
House members rejected Abbott's request, not because members liked the term "mental retardation," but because those words already appear in many places in the state code.
The Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday rejected an attempt to remove the words "mental retardation" from a bill that seeks to appropriate $30 million to a special fund to move residents of the state's training centers into community-based housing.
Del. Robin Abbott, D-Newport News, asked legislators to change the phrase "mental retardation" to read "intellectual and developmental disabilities."
"These words are very damaging and hurtful and there is no excuse for them to be in our code today," Abbott said.
House members rejected Abbott's request, not because members liked the term "mental retardation," but because those words already appear in many places in the state code.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Justice Dept. Warning to Va. No Surprise
A warning from the Justice Department that Virginia faces a lawsuit if it doesn't improve the way it cares for people with intellectual disabilities triggered a flurry of activity this past week, but there shouldn't have been any measure of surprise: Lawmakers and governors have been told about the problems in the system for almost 50 years.
"Those of us who have been in the field for a long time were applauding" when the Department of Justice report came out, said Chuck Hall, executive director of the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board. "That is just the latest in a series of reports going back to 1963 that say we have to change the way we allocate funding."
"Those of us who have been in the field for a long time were applauding" when the Department of Justice report came out, said Chuck Hall, executive director of the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board. "That is just the latest in a series of reports going back to 1963 that say we have to change the way we allocate funding."
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