After Cuts, Parents Optimistic about DDS Future

The priority for parents like Sue Bastien and Lauralyn Lewis is that more parents get their children, many of whom are adults, into residential facilities.

The waiting list of 2,000 has only grown in recent years.

Lewis has met with lawmakers for the past two years during her work with DDS Families First. Her son Justin lives in a privately run facility in New Haven for people with intellectual disabilities.

She says that while the cuts announced by the governor Tuesday will lead to job losses, there is a silver lining in that the existing expenses for Department of Developmental Services could be used better to serve more people.

“The individuals that are now being cared for by the public sector, they will still get the same quality care, they will just be getting it at a fraction of the cost. That being said, however, the private providers are starving and we do need to recognize that."

The plan announced by the Office of Policy and Management, the budget office for Governor Dannel Malloy, included laying off close to 500 DDS employees while also transferring many state facilities to private, non-profit providers.

Bastien has four sons who are currently in private facilities and two of them lived in state run facilities for a time.

“Actually when my boys were at the regional center I was quite anxious to get them into private care.”

One of her sons, Patrick, lives with both intellectual and developmental disabilities. During a seven month period that ended in December 2015, he lived at the Hospital for Special Care. That cost upwards of $400,000. Since he moved to a private residential facility where he is cared for 24 hours every day, the bills have been cut in half. Even though the Hospital for Special Care isn't a DDS facility per se, it illustrates the costs faced by the state to care for a vulnerable population.

Bastien says if her boys are comfortable with new caregivers in a private setting, then so too will other families.

“It can work. It’s working great for my guys and I hope that some of the people that are being affected will take a look at some of the great privatization homes that are out there.”

The SEIU that represents many of the workers that will be laid off have warned about possible safety and emotional issues for clients and patients if workers are laid off. They have also spoken about economic consequences.

"It could be like coming home one day and a family member just isn't there and they don't understand why and someone brand new is there who doesn't know them, doesn't know what they need and it's a very traumatic experience for these clients," said Jennifer Schneier, a spokesperson for the union.

Bastien, with four sons in round the clock facilities said that argument doesn't hold up to the realities of people living in private non-profit residences.

“No matter where you are there are going to be changes in caregivers. People, caregivers move, they retire, they quit their job, they go in the hospital, they take vacations. No matter where you are there are going to be changes as far as your caregiving people.”

Lewis says she hopes the $70 million in savings will be redirected to ensure that people are taken off the waiting lists and placed into stable care.

She said those currently in care may see some changes, but the overall level of care will remain consistent.

“There’s no question that this population needs consistency and this population thrives on it and my heart goes out to those families. There will be an adjustment period. That is the reality but they have been incredibly fortunate to receive some of the 30 years of quality care.”

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