Be Aware and Wary

You or a family member is unable to live alone and unassisted, so you look at your alternatives. Read this story and think about the options.

Amid Abuse Concerns, New Group Home Safeguards Unveiled
By SHAUN HEASLEY
March 31, 2011
Weeks after a newspaper investigation uncovered widespread abuse at New York group homes for those with developmental disabilities, state officials are making changes, but advocates say they don’t go far enough.
Under the plans announced Wednesday by the state’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, new group home staffers will be required to have a high school diploma and will be subject to psychological and drug testing. Current staff will receive additional training emphasizing “individual respect, dignity and professional ethics,” state officials said.
In addition, the agency will establish a centralized team to oversee abuse and neglect allegations and create a review panel to ensure that disciplinary steps are consistent.
“The protection and quality of care for the developmentally disabled is our highest priority,” said Courtney Burke, acting commissioner of the state disability agency. “The actions we announce today are the critical first steps on the road to improving the protection and quality of care for those we serve.”
The developments come after a New York Times investigation published earlier this month revealed a group home system plagued with cases of abuse rarely brought to the attention of law enforcement. In 2009 alone, The Times identified 13,000 abuse allegations among group home staffers. Police were involved in less than 5 percent of the cases.
Advocates for people with developmental disabilities, however, say the new measures are completely insufficient, pointing out that the state is not taking steps to remove group home workers with a history of abuse.
“To create yet more management teams and bureaucracy will never stop these systemic problems,” said Michael Carey, a disability advocate whose son died in 2007 while in state care.
MORE IN POLITICS »
Copyright © 2011 Disability Scoop, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Program to Support Families and Educators

I came across a website for a program today that could prove useful to families who want help teaching their child new skills at home. It might be useful to educators who work with students on the autism spectrum or who have other developmental disabilities.
Visit this website: http://www.rethinkautism.com/default.aspx

To quote the article about Rethink Autism


"April is Autism Awareness Month. As part of its commitment to the autism community, educational technology company Rethink Autism is helping to educate parents through a new video series on their home page, "Every Day Counts, Everyone Can Help."
Developed by Rethink Autism's clinical team and hosted by Rethink Autism's Director of Research and Training, Dr. Hannah Hoch, the series provides an overview of autism, video examples of early warning signs, and research-based teaching strategies that they can start using immediately.
For parents and educators, Rethink Autism is also extending their one-week free trial to last for the entire month of April. After filling out a brief assessment, parents can gain access to individualized video-based exercises, printable lesson plans, and a complete series of ABA training videos"