Trip to Austin regarding the[ State Finance Committee Hearing]... yesterday!

[Guest guest]

What an experience today! We certainly got some attention today.

This is certainly something I will do often. This morning hearing

the State Auditors Report was such a disappointment of such wasteful

funding. I sympathize with those in state schools whom have no one

to protect thier best interests. Senator Ogden was sincerely

interested in those that do not have guardians or families to

particpate in Community Choice. He did ask how many individuals were

in state schools who are not provided with guardians or legal

representatives, and what was DADS doing about them. Commissioner

Horn said she would have to get back to him on those numbers. He

also asked what was DADS doing about the families who were asking to

have thier individuals put back into the community. I believe the

answer was that DADS was assisting them, however we know that many

are being turned away. I was very impressed with Senator Lucio, who

stated that he was tired of hearing about the numbers, he wanted to

know what about the individuals being served, is DADS meeting thier

needs. Yes, the Committee did come to the conclusion that the cost

of the state schools is over 100,000.00 per individual per year. Of

course we heard about the flat rate per day that is paid, no matter

what level of care is needed. Senator Zaffarini noted that there is

a lack of communication from DADS with the families of individuals

wanting out of state schools. The Committee is definately on board

of creating a better system of care, however I believe the question

was addressed to Commissioner Horn, I believe I heard her say, that

this could be done by eliminating choice. I certainly hope that I

misunderstood this. There was so much misleading information being

tossed around today, I was chopping at the bit and having to keep my

tongue still, tough job for me, but I was nice. I didn't have time

to write a speech, but I did have time to copy the story that Ivy

sent over in August of Local 2 Investigates State Schools, which

tells the horrific story of a girl who has lived her ENTIRE lfie at

the Abilene State School, her face was burned with a hair dryer. I

also copied the most recent report from DFPS on all the allegations

of abuse in the state schools which I put in a folder to give to each

one of our Committee Members, I certainly hope that they will take

the time to read this information. I did speak on behalf of this

individual and of what happened to her, I also spoke on behalf of my

daughter and as a mother, I could never place my daughter in an

enviroment where she could become a victim of any abuse supported by

state funding. Local 2's report quotes " The health and safety of our

residents is our top priority " said Cecilia Fedorov with the

Department of Aging and Disability Services. " Fedorov argued the

abuse and neglect numbers don't paint a fair picture of life at a

state school. Well, would any of you call 435 confirmed allegations

of abuse a fair picture as per the DFPS 6/7/08 report? How about

6234 total allegations, or how about 3109 completed investigations.

Fedorov also said while safeguards are always in place for what she

characterized as rare instances, the department has no set system -

wide policy when it comes to supervision. I believe Ms. Fedorov needs

a new paint brush.

Ivy, Candy, Michele, Dennis, and Jeff you all did a great job. It

was great to have you all together and united. This is what is truly

needed if we are going to accomplish long term care by choice in this

legislative session. We have lots of work ahead of us, it is time

that we all speak up and stop allowing those who have no clue what

our daily lives and what our futures are truly about making decisions

for us our disabled loved ones. After the meeting, I was flagged by

Mr. e,(Asst. Commission Access & Intake DADS) he asked if

we (TAAID) were still going to have our Town Hall Meeting here in San

, I did tell him that we are still making plans for this

meeting. I did mention to him that I had registered for the DADS

Conference, and he did say that it is specifically designed for the

Provider Agency's. I did tell him that this is a great opportunity

for us to understand the system of the provider agencies, as I feel

it is most important that we understand thier position, after all

this is where many of our problems come from. He was receptive and

understood my position.

We will plan that meeting here in San , I prefer to organize

it after the DADS Conference. I certainly hope that you all will

attend. We will certainly send an invitation to you all.

It was a great day today, the members attention and concerns are

greatly appreciated, I hope to see you all and more at the next

meetings, bring your paint brushes, let's paint Money Follows The

Person, Now that would be the FAIR PICTURE.

God Bless You and Yours

Debby L. Salinas Valdez

Founder of the Texas Adults w/Autism and Intellectual Disabilities -

San , Texas