ActionDD winter meeting and legislative reception canceled due to snow
January 16, 2012
Paul Strand / ActionDD
Olympia -- The winter ActionDD meeting scheduled for January 18, is canceled due to snow. We are expecting 12-14 inches in Olympia on the 18th, with 24 inches predicted for Snoqualmie pass.
      The meeting room at the Phoenix Hotel has been canceled, but if you have reserved a room it is up to you to cancel it. 
      Since lunches have already been ordered and paid for, your payment to ActionDD is still required. The lunches will be donated to the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. This is a 501 (c3) charitable organization, and as such, your lunch expenditure is tax deductible.





U.S. Report Criticizes New York on Monitoring Care of Developmentally Disabled
January 10, 2012
DANNY HAKIM The New York Times
Albany, NY. — The federal government sharply criticized New York’s oversight of the developmentally disabled in a new report, saying the state agency charged with oversight lacks independence from the governor’s office, failed to account for how it is spending public money and has broken several requirements of federal law.
...Read full story

The Frances Haddon Morgan Center officially closed
December 12, 2011
Paul Strand / ActionDD
Olympia -- Every farmer knows that he must set his gaze on the horizon when he plows, or his furrows will be crooked.  In the 1930s we looked to a new horizon when we built the large institutions. In the 1970s we looked to a new horizon when we gave people community access.  Those horizons belong to our parents and grandparents generations. What is on our horizon?
      Last Friday, I attended the official closing of the Frances Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton.  DSHS was well represented, from the Secretary down to some retired employees.  According to Secretary Dreyfus, The event was “…in keeping with the preference of many people with developmental disabilities, their families, supporters and DSHS… .”  However, at earlier meetings with Dreyfus parents practically begged to keep the Center open. Closure is clearly not in keeping with preference.
      I took the opportunity to speak. I recounted my son’s years at the Center, and then told of the time when I was a boy watching my home burn to the ground. No one came to put out the fire, it just burned down.  Then I said “I am standing in the ashes of my son’s home.” It’s gone, and there is nothing on the horizon but the threat of more ashes.    
      DSHS just put out a news release about this closure.  In it, they are seemingly too busy watching their feet to see any new horizons.

Francis Haddon Morgan Center escorts final resident to new home
November 16, 2011
Steven Gardner/Kitsap Sun
Olympia -- Rick Neil sat comfortably in a recliner and took questions about his move.
      "Feeling good, yeah," he said.
      Neil had the distinction Wednesday of being the last resident to leave the Frances Haddon Morgan Center for another home.  Nine others left earlier in the day, but there wasn't room on that trip for Neil. See full Kitsap Sun article

Governor wants ½ cent tax hike to save social programs
December 1, 2011
Paul Strand / ActionDD
Olympia -- Governor Chris Gregoire is asking the legislature to send a temporary half-cent sales tax increase to state voters. Her proposal would raise the sales tax temporarily from 6.5 cents to 7 cents. This would bring some cities to just under 10% sales tax.
      The half cent would last three years and raise $494 million.  Her plan includes investing more than $15 million in programs that keep people who are elderly and people with developmental disabilities in their own homes. This could be a double edged sward if it provides funding to close the Rainier School in Buckley. No mention is made of supporting existing RHC programs.
      Other benefits would include education and Corrections programs as well social programs that would; prevent 1,600 individuals from losing all personal care and other services, restore service hours for some of the most vulnerable clients whose care has been reduced over the past three years, and restore nearly $13 million for in-home care and residential provider rates.

Longtime advocates being drowned out by 'Occupiers'
November 30, 2011
DREW MIKKELSEN / KING 5 News
Olympia -- Diana Stadden got permits and recruited hundreds to come to Olympia for the first day of the special session. Stadden wasn't prepared for what she saw Monday and is afraid of the possible impact. Stadden has a son with autism and works for "The ARC," a non-profit advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
...See full story and video

Ironworkers release a must see video about the kids at Seattle Children's Hospital
November 18, 2011
Ironworkers from Local 86 are adding a new wing on Seattle Children's Hospital, the names of kids in the hospital are being painted onto the beams as they are lifted.  The Ironworkers also gave the kids t-shirts acknowledging their help in the construction.
      These Ironworkers spend their days working hard but still have time for compassion. Many of us have had a child at Children' Hospital and can feel the kindness of these Ironworkers.  
...Watch the YouTube video provided by Local 86

Autism or Asperger's? It Might Depend on Your Doctor
Published November 08, 2011 | Reuters
An autism diagnosis means different things depending on who is doing the diagnosing, suggests a new study. Researchers found that clinics varied in what skills and behaviors they considered when evaluating kids with an autism spectrum disorder and deciding where on that spectrum they fell. ...More

Speaker of the House takes Rainier School tour
By KEVIN HANSON Enumclaw Courier Herald, November 8, 2011
One of Washington’s most-powerful politicians toured the Rainier School grounds Friday, getting a first-hand look at the Buckley facility that has long served citizens with special needs.
...Read full article

Francis Haddon Morgan Center man dies soon after move
October 17, 2011
Action DD
Olympia – DSHS Secretary Susan Dreyfus told the newly formed Developmental Disability Service System Task Force that a man who was moved from the Frances Haddon Morgan Center died after drinking laundry detergent. Very little information has been made available.
See Kitsap Sun report.
see related editorial in The Stand

Governor Chris Gregoire requests closure of Rainier School in Buckley
October 27, 2011
Action DD
Olympia – As part of her $2 Billion budget cut proposal released today, Governor Gregoire would close Rainier School, a Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) in Buckley.  A minority in state government, and some advocates for people with developmental disabilities have been trying to close RHCs for years.  They claim that people would be better served in residential settings and money would be saved. Neither claim has been substantiated.
      People with developmental disabilities have complex and varying afflictions requiring a continuum of care that necessitates RHC care in addition to other options.
      Rainier School cares for 370 residents, most of high acuity. Where would these people go?
      The Governor's earlier request to close The Frances Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton is almost complete, with only a dozen residents remaining.  So far, its evacuation is proving disastrous. One resident who was moved to a supported living facility in Tacoma died from lack of supervision.  Behavior problems have emerged among those who were moved to Fircrest in Shoreline.  We must not forget that when DSHS made an unsuccessful attempt to downsize Fircrest in 2004, it resulted in the deaths of 6 vulnerable residents.  Many of those who were moved had to be returned. Costs escalated.
      Shredding the safety net that Rainier School provides would also result in human disaster, and adding it to the budget chopping block would not save money.
      A full list of the governor's budget reduction alternatives are available here.  Developmental disabilities cuts begin on page 5

Former Washington State Representative faults the legislature for closing RHCs and failing to adequately protect Medicaid clients.
Action DD
Olympia – Brendan Williams, a former state representative, wrote two articles important to people with developmental disabilities, and others needing state supported care.  In one article he addressed the closure of RHCs citing the 1999 Supreme Court Olmsted decision. 
      "Writing for the Court, Justice Ginsburg rebuked 'unwarranted assumptions' that persons with disabilities 'are incapable or unworthy of participating in community life.' Yet the Court has also recognized not every person with disabilities can be served in a home-like setting. And inherent in any right of choice is the right to choose a care setting some may disapprove of — like a state-run institution. There are those who simply prefer the social setting, and accountability through many monitoring sets of eyes,"  Read full article...
      In another article Williams took on budget cuts and lawsuits, faulting the legislature for not adequately protecting people in state care who are on Medicaid.
      "Washington saves considerable money through residential care of vulnerable Medicaid clients who formerly would have been in nursing homes. Yet it does so with what often seems to be little regard for care, quality or safety, giving rise to episodic legal settlements, verdicts, and media exposés. These, in turn, are followed by public pronouncements of concern, and feel-good bills, largely leaving underlying problems unresolved. Read full article...
      Brendan Williams served in the state House of Representatives from the 22nd District of Thurston County from 2005 through 2010. He is the former director of the Washington Health Care Association.

The Frances Haddon Morgan Center may close sooner than expected
By Paul Strand, July 27, 2011
ActionDD
Bremerton – Transition of residents out of the Morgan Center is going smoothly, according to Assistant Superintendent Jan Sprow who said,  "We have had no problems.  Moves are as respectful as we can possibly make them."
      With about half of the residents moved so far, Sprow predicted that the Center could close as early as October.
      So far 17 residents have moved; 8 to Fircrest RHC in Shoreline, 2 to Lakeland Village RHC near Spokane and 7 others to community supported living. 10 more will be moved to Fircrest at a later date. Others will go to 5 State Operated Living Alternatives (SOLA) being established in Bremerton.  Each will house about 3 residents, some from the Morgan Center and some from elsewhere in the community. In the meantime, one residence on the Morgan Center Campus is awaiting federal approval to be one of the 5 SOLAs.

Disability Rights Washington faults governor for vetoing parts of RHC closure bill
By Paul Strand, July 27, 2011
ActionDD
Olympia – In a letter to Governor Gregoire, DRW expressed disappointment that sections 7 and 11 were vetoed from 2SSB5459, the bill that closes the Frances Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton and makes other RHC cutbacks. The veto removed fundamental protections and assurances for people with developmental disabilities transitioning from Residential Habilitation Centers to the community.  The veto tells guardians that moving to the community is not a safe and viable option.  Read the Letter