Palmer Events Center
Quality Care for All
RECEIVED Mon., May 11, 2015
Dear Editor,
Both sides in the divisive, emotional debate over state supported living centers ["Guardians Fight On to Save SSLC," News, May 1] have the same goal: quality services and supports for people with disabilities. SSLC supporters talk about great care of their loved ones, yet multiple monitors report serious deficiencies, and the Austin SSLC alone has been placed on Immediate Jeopardy probation over 30 times since 2009, indicating failure to meet minimum levels of care. The disconnect is jarring. Not in dispute is the 75% decrease in resident population in Texas' 13 SSLCs.
Keeping all the SSLCs open at 25% of their former capacity is driving skyrocketing costs and choking off funding for over 100,000 Texans on the community services wait list. Right-sizing the SSLC network, ensuring that all who choose an institutional setting can get it, and redirecting appropriations to community services is overdue. Though the Austin SSLC has the lowest ratings in the state, we should not discount that closure would be a hardship for the 96 Austin families with a member residing there, and should be sure that relocations at another SSLC or a community placement are done well. Then we need to address the hardship faced by more than 4,000 Austin families waiting for community supports.
Both sides in the divisive, emotional debate over state supported living centers ["Guardians Fight On to Save SSLC," News, May 1] have the same goal: quality services and supports for people with disabilities. SSLC supporters talk about great care of their loved ones, yet multiple monitors report serious deficiencies, and the Austin SSLC alone has been placed on Immediate Jeopardy probation over 30 times since 2009, indicating failure to meet minimum levels of care. The disconnect is jarring. Not in dispute is the 75% decrease in resident population in Texas' 13 SSLCs.
Keeping all the SSLCs open at 25% of their former capacity is driving skyrocketing costs and choking off funding for over 100,000 Texans on the community services wait list. Right-sizing the SSLC network, ensuring that all who choose an institutional setting can get it, and redirecting appropriations to community services is overdue. Though the Austin SSLC has the lowest ratings in the state, we should not discount that closure would be a hardship for the 96 Austin families with a member residing there, and should be sure that relocations at another SSLC or a community placement are done well. Then we need to address the hardship faced by more than 4,000 Austin families waiting for community supports.
Dennis Borel
Coalition of Texans With Disabilities
Coalition of Texans With Disabilities