Maralyn Chase Standing Up for the Disabled

Senator Maralyn Chase is taking a stand for the RHC's like Fircrest. 

She has spent a lifetime standing up for the underdog and the voiceless. Nearly every week, on her Senate Homepage she records a video on topics of importance. 


This week she makes a passionate and factual case for protecting the RHC's (Residental Habitation Centers) like Fircrest School in Shoreline. There are five RHC's in Washington State. Because of the severe budget situation, two of them are being scheduled to close this year. But now, some of the budget cutters are even targeting Fircrest. DSHS is making arbitrary choices to cut the budget at the expense and safety of the most vulnerable citizens.


Sadly, as Chase shows, this will destroy a system of housing for the profoundly disabled and retarded people, who need that excellent care they receive at centers like Fircrest. And it will not actually save any money. It will end up costing MORE. And it will also deny residents and their families the choice to live in an RHC that is their right under Federal Law. 


The budget choices our legislators face are heartbreaking. But legislators must stand up for the most vulnerable citizens, especially those who cannot speak for themselves.


You can view Senator Chase's broadcast here.

                                                            

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video for you on YouTube: Maralyn Chase - legislative update week 12

Myths and Facts About the RHC's (Like Fircrest)

Fircrest School is an "RHC" (Residential Habitation Center), which are mandated by the State of WA to provide services to the most vulnerable populations of our communities. 

Fircrest Cottage and State Health Lab behind

These people are the most medically fragile, vulnerable and most profoundly retarded citizens who cannot live independently and need care from places like Fircrest that are "Centers of Excellence". 
Now some of these residents are under the age of 21 and have been students in the local School Districts, such as Shoreline. 


Recently, Superintendent Sue Walker decided to testify before a State Senate Committee saying that 
Fircrest "is bad for children and bad for our community(ies). " 


Saskia Davis is the sister of a longtime resident of Fircrest. Here is her opinion on what is important, and what is Myth or Truth about RHC's. 

Saskia Davis

RHCs are both needed and cost effective for tax-payers. The policy-driven decline of population in them has caused their per-capita costs to be artificially high. By increasing admission & allowing permanent status for those who qualify, the state would be saving money while providing kind, expert & individualized care to people with intensive special needs: physical, medical, behavioral, cognitive & mental.

Opposition to RHCs is largely based on myths, some of which were true a long time ago & some which never were true:

MYTH #1: Forced institutionalization:

TRUTH: Many years ago, institutions were the only venues available when people with dd could no longer be cared for in their families of origin homes. Many who could learn to live in the general community felt trapped in RHCs.

Now the situation is quite the opposite: There are a variety of private and state-run options & the ADA requires true choice between RHCs & general-community venues.

MYTH #2: People with dd are imprisoned in RHCs & abuse goes on behind closed doors.
TRUTH: Many years ago, institutional oversight was poor, but now, and for many years, RHC oversight has been strict, whereas general-community venue oversight is less so.
In general, due to audits according to stringent standards, tied to Federal funding, RHCs are considered the safest option.

MYTH #3: RHC closures will result in more money for people living in the general community who are wait-listed.
TRUTH: RHC economy-of-scale saves the State money that could be applied to the needs of wait-listed people. Similar services will cost more, not less for this population if they are spread throughout the general community. Oregon parents complain that except for former residents of Fairview (State institution for people with DD, now closed) there are hardly any state supported services available for people with dd. In other words, the closure of the facility did not effect the goal of making funds available for such general community services.

More thanks,

Saskia

Sen Chase' Video Update on RHC's (Fircrest)

SENATOR

Maralyn Chase

32nd District

Senator Maralyn Chase has posted her latest video update about the importance of the RHC's like Fircrest School on Youtube. 


These weekly updates are also posted on her Senate Homepage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUPfS0UNsXY

Fircrest and all the RHC's (Residential Habilitation Center) is again under attack from those who would like to close them. This week, Superintendent Sue Walker, of Shoreline School District went all the way to Olympia to attack Fircrest saying it was "bad for children and bad for our communities." 

The community responded vigorously to her attack in comments on the Shoreline/LFP PATCH news blog. http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/shoreline-school-district-supports-senate-bill-to-end-school-age-placements-at-fircrest

Fircrest School Campus in Shoreline