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Among those of us who care deeply for and about people with developmental disabilities, I hope to hear emerge a new voice, ours, rising together for the benefit of all, harmonizing with reason, respect and hope, and transcending divisions, giving birth to a new era of creative cooperation.

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Monday, February 1, 2010

TIMES EXPOSE..ADULT FAMILY HOME ABUSES

SB6780 (See the 2 posts, below.) was introduced right before the 3 part Seattle TIMES expose on abuses of Seniors in adult family homes. The kind of abuses described in the first article mimic those suffered by my sister, Kathy, in a community facility before she came to Fircrest. Be sure to read the article, as its message also speaks to the potential for current RHC residents should they be forced to move to community homes. In fact, such abuses already could be happening in the isolation of poorly overseen homes for people with dd.

You can visit the 3 part TIMES article here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seniorsforsale/2010939195_seniors31.html

The writer says: "DSHS is not able to answer such questions as: Which homes and how many didn't provide enough food? What homes had assaults on residents?" and "Kathy Leitch, a deputy director who oversees the DSHS Aging and Disability Services Administration, said a hiring freeze — the result of state budget cuts — has left fewer investigators to monitor more homes. Many licensing and training standards may be outdated, she said. There's this idea that it's a cottage industry, and that the state shouldn't be overly regulatory. Personally, I think that's a bit naive." This by the head of the same agency that is responsible for the monitoring of community homes for people with dd! Frightening. Many of us have long held that "community" standards and oversight needed to be strengthened. This article makes it into an imperative, infact, into an emergency.

So what do you think?
Namaste,
Saskia Davis

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for posting this troy Saskia! It's very important that it be widely circulated. And also liked to the RHC closure issue.

    Everyone should make the most of this amazing series of articles and the facts they bring to light.

    Glad you have this forum.

    Best,

    Janet

    ReplyDelete

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