Guest guest Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 In case you are interested in writing a statement but do not know how to begin, here is an example... Ellen Testimony Respectfully Submitted to the Members on the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Committee on The Closure of Howe Developmental Center Senate Co-Chairman, Schoenberg Senator Bill Brady Senator Don Harmon Senator Radogno Senator Dave Syverson Senator Donne Trotter House Co-Chairman, Myers Representative Bellock Representative Mautino Representative Molaro Representative Elaine Nekritz Representative Poe Submitted by: Ellen Garber Bronfeld 3035 Kay Jay Drive Northbrook, Illinois 60062 847-480-1345 December 11, 2008 Members of the Committee, thank you for all that you do for individuals with disabilities and mental illness and thank you for convening this hearing to discuss the closure of Howe Developmental Center. I am strongly in favor of a well planned closure of all State Operated Developmental Centers. In my opinion, there should be no compromise on this. Individuals with mental illness and disabilities belong in the communities in which they were raised, with the supports and services necessary to ensure their health, welfare, safety and ultimately, their full inclusion in all community affairs and activities. This is a matter of human and civil rights. It is time we stop segregating individuals from the mainstream of life; from their families and from their communities. There are about 2,500 individuals in nine state institutions in Illinois. There are ten states without any state institutions. Indiana has closed all of its institutions and Michigan and Minnesota each operate only one. We need to redesign the Illinois system. A plan for downsizing and closing state institutions in Illinois is long overdue. The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Blueprint for System Redesign in Illinois provides realistic guidelines for bringing Illinois into the 21st Century in regard to the provision of community based supports and services for people with developmental disabilities. There is no question that we need to build capacity and the infrastructure in the community in order to accommodate all of the individuals currently served in our state operated facilities. But, the closure of Howe should be immediate and definitive. Substantial health and safety violations leading to the death of twenty or more individuals is reason enough to call for immediate closure. I am sure you are all aware of the cost of each individual served at Howe and each of the other institutions and I am certain you are also all aware of the forfeiture of Medicaid matching dollars due to the decertification of Howe resulting in our loss of over sixty million dollars of federal revenue over the past two years. The question of closure should not be primarily about money or political imperatives. This is about people. The Illinois legislature should know that we are not complying with best practice for individuals with disabilities or mental illness nor are we following the mandate of the Supreme Court for least restrictive environment, vis a vis the Olmstead Decision of 1999. The time for change is now. Illinois is 51st and failing. We are not providing the most current generation of young adults with disabilities and mental illness what they need or want, which is full community inclusion. We are not providing a safe environment for many others who have been part of the disabilities service system for many years. It isn't a matter of following the crowd and doing what is current and trendy. It is about doing what you would want for your own family member in a similar situation. It is about doing what is humane. It is about doing what is right. The closure of Howe Developmental Center is the first step in the right direction. Please do this for the citizens of Illinois who are depending on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Thanks for the words. I have been writing so much that sometimes I feel like they all sound the same and may be getting treated as if they are mass mailings. We are transitioning into adult services and I am really getting burned out. Thanks to this group for recharging me often. Thanks, Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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