SB 6780 Would Close RHCs, Without Knowing the Cost

Senate Bill 6780 caters to special interest groups not special needs.  The opening sentences set the tone of the bill by jealously comparing underfunded community services with adequately funded RHC services.
      At a time when our state must save money, this bill would spend money.  No one even knows how much money.
      The bill requires DSHS to submit a plan by November 1, 2010 with timelines and estimated costs to carry out the many events outlined in this bill. Shouldn't the costs be known now? 
      This bill is yet another attempt to transfer funds from RHCs to private providers.  Past attempts at such closures have resulted in excessive costs to the state and misery for those forced out of RHCs.
 Read the SB 6780

Parents, Elected Officials Seek Ways to Save Residential Care Facility
By Rosette Royale - February 2, 2010
Olympia Newswire
Pat Johnson, governor of Buckley, estimates the shuttering of Rainier School would result in the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs.  The facility is the town’s largest employer.  Parents fear loss of care and harm to loved ones.  Members of Legislature oppose closures. 
Read the full story

Families, Legislators Working to Save Frances Haddon Morgan Center
By Derek Sheppard
Kitsap Sun
January 13, 2010, BREMERTON — Lobbying efforts are underway in Olympia to save the Frances Haddon Morgan Center, a state-run home in Bremerton that houses severely mentally disabled children and adults.
Read the full story

New Website Wants RHCs Closed

Action DD, Olympia, January 5, 2010 -- No money will be saved by closing any RHC, and tragic harm can come from the community dumping of RHC residents, but a new website called, weallbelong.org, wants to do both.
Read the full story

Proposed Rainier School closure ill-informed, ill-advised

Rep. Christopher Hurst Speaks out Against RHC closures.
Read full Tacoma News Tribune article

A look back at what went wrong when Oregon promised inclusion and dignity for people leaving the closed Fairview Training Center

In 2007 the Oregonian reported that in the years "since Fairview closed, more than 2,000 developmentally disabled adults have been robbed, beaten, raped, neglected or cursed, most often by their state-paid caregivers."  With Washington trying to pull the plug on institutional care, this article is eye opening relevant to our state now.  Read the entire Oregonian report

More of what's  wrong in Oregon

For years, Butch Beckhardt has labored ceaselessly to find a safe haven for his disabled son, Johnny — a heartbreakingly difficult journey
Read the entire Oregonian report...

Top 5 Reasons to Retain our RHCs

No savings in closing an RHC
Part of a needed continuum of care, and choice
Efficiently provides a full array of services
Provides respite care and other services to community based clients
Only safety net when other services fail

Take ACTION to fight legislation that would harm our most vulnerable citizens.

Take ACTION to keep a full continuum of care in Washington State. 

            Speaker of the House Frank Chopp told us, "We need a full continuum
            of services for people with developmental disabilities."

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