Our daughter lives in a State School. THere is really nowhere else for her to go since she has major medical problems including a severe seizure disorder as well as mentla retardation.

There are many problems at the state schools, but there are also many problems at the group homes which are for profit.

There is never any oversite at group homes hence the problems never show up.

We need the State Schools but we need the adminsitrators to care about the residents that is what the problem is .

Please hire new administrators, people that care, and give the families stakeholder status and maybe the mess can finally get cleaned up.

In order to lower costs at the State Schools, you need preventitive care. You need to get a walking program going, better dental care, toothbrushing going on at the dorms. You need a healthier diet with more fruits and veggies, maybe starting gardens at the state schools.

Dr. and MRs. Harold GOttlieb

My cousin has resided at the Denton State School since 1974. She is non-verbal and has been diagnosed with severe retardation. She has an IQ of 19. In a campus style setting, she is able to walk freely around her "neighborhood" to and from work and other activities because she is familiar witht he environment, traffic is regulated, and the staff and others she encounters know her and can help her. If she were moved to a community home, it would be akin to putting her in jail. Like others with Downs Syndrome, she is prematurely developing Dementia or Alzheimers. She would be severely stressed if she were forced to move, she reacts violently if put in an unfamiliar setting. It would be tragic. As a past president of a non-profit that owns and operates group homes, I know they are a valuable resource for many people. But, they are not equiped to help people with profound and severe retardation. The State should not dictate where Texans live and restrict families' options.

While community care is definitely appropriate for some developmentally disabled citizens, it IS NOT THE BEST CHOICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE PROFOUNDLY DISABLED &/OR HAVE ACCOMPANIED MEDICAL/PHYSICAL PROBLEMS. Yes, while there have been documented cased of abuse & neglect in our State Schools, these are problems that can be addressed. There is not the same oversight for community programs... how can there be with thousands of group homes scattered all over the state? The 'yearly evaluations' of Community Programs mentioned in the proposed bill will not come close to the oversight that we now have in the State Schools. My profoundly disabled sister has resided in the Denton State School for over 30 years - our family has been very pleased with the care that she receives. While it is an 'institutional residence', the programming & facilities have a 'community feeling' to them. During our 'unannounced' visits we are always happy to witness first hand the quality care that she receives. I urge the legislators to be responsible in evaluating the proposed legislation. DO NOT think that community programming will be better for those who are the most vulnerable citizens among us - the profoundly disabled.

One can't help to wonder if Patrick Rose and Rodney Ellis have visited many group homes and if they persoanlly have visited some State Schools. My child is profoundly retarded but even more medically challenged. LET THERE BE CHOICE!!! She is happy and bonded to her direct care staff. No group home can offer her what she needs. State monies will be misused as Group Homes can be opened only for the money. A campus situation offers everything. Don't think there is not abuse at group homes ( and nursing homes ) that are not reported and not checked on. We volunteer and are active at my state school. Once closed these most vulnerable people will fall through the cracks.

Yes. The state schools need to consolidate and change and many need to close..BUT

group homes are not a panacea. Having worked in mental health facilities similar to state schools, having worked at group homes, having worked in special education, and being a nurse and parent of an adult with significant special needs...the problems are many.

A major problem is the lack of real oversight in all programs including homes. As one of the letters mentioned, there is a lack of consistent preventative care. People who are vulnerable attract workers who care and also those who prey on the vulnerable. Unfortunately, a large majority of people who work in the field remain apathetic until some tragedy occurs. This has become a nation of CYA rather than looking out for the common good. When it comes to people with disabilities , this lack of concern translates into abuse and negelct.
Planning to have good quality care with oversight should not be the problem it is. If group homes are the new direction, it is imperative that there be an agency with authority to monitor the actions and activities.

Getting rid of one problem does not necessarily solve "the problem"...which is due respect and care for our disabled loved ones.

I want those who are seeking a change to recall how closing the state faciities caused the homeless population in California to swell. That doesn't mean a change isn't needed, it just means that there is a responsibility to those who are impacted by the change that must be implemented and unquestionably so.

Amy Liebler

When the populations of the state hospitals and schools were "thinned out" during the advent of "compassionate conservativism" in our government (the Reagan years), only the profoundly mentally & phyically (mostly helpless) residents of the state schools were left. Those who could work or live in group homes were fortunately able to live more independent lives.

Unfortunately, many state school residents cannot live in group homes or work at normal jobs: they're folks who require diaper changes, special feeding tubes and close supervision. WHERE DO THEY GO ?

The Austin State Hospital patients turned out onto Austin streets eventually died on those streets & in the Brackenridge Hospital ER - after hard, miserable years of rummaging through dumpsters and begging on street corners. For 12 years I officed at 18th & San Antonio Streets, near the University of Texas, Austin - and watched this happen "up close and personal". Remember when homeless people appeared all over the place?

The population of the Austin State School dropped from 1,400 in the late 1970's to around 463 (April, 2009). Messr's. Ellis and Rose should spend some time in a cottage at the Austin State School and see for themselves that this "issue" is much more complicated than political grandstanding. We wouldn't do this to animals, or else everyone would be marching in the streets. Are these guys truly Democrats ?