2009 State Medicaid Rankings
Vermont provides the highest quality Medicaid services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while Mississippi provides the worst, according to United Cerebral Palsy’s report “The Case for Inclusion 2009.”
Find out where your state stands in the ranking of the 50 states and the District of Columbia:
1. Vermont
2. Arizona
3. Alaska
4. New Hampshire
5. Massachusetts
6. Michigan
7. California
8. Hawaii
9. Colorado
10. Connecticut
11. New Mexico
12. Delaware
13. Minnesota
14. New York
15. Idaho
16. Pennsylvania
17. South Carolina
18. Florida
19. Rhode Island
20. Oregon
21. New Jersey
22. Wisconsin
23. West Virginia
24. Kansas
25. Washington
26. South Dakota
27. Montana
28. Wyoming
29. Missouri
30. Oklahoma
31. Georgia
32. Maryland
33. Alabama
34. Nevada
35. Maine
36. North Carolina
37. Utah
38. Kentucky
39. Iowa
40. North Dakota
41. Virginia
42. Indiana
43. Tennessee
44. Nebraska
45. Ohio
46. Louisiana
47. Illinois
48. District of Columbia
49. Texas
50. Arkansas
51. Mississippi
Friday, August 07, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
End of Operation Cool Air??
Today Bill and I will complete the installation of the air conditioners donated to Operation Cool Air. How do I feel about this? Honestly, my back is glad it's coming to a (temporary) close. My mind and spirit are truly grateful that we were able to alliviate the suffering of around 30-35 people through the generosity of those who donated 14 new and used air conditioners to the cause.
On the other hand, I'm feeling like we let a whole lot of other people down. There's still 2 months ahead of us where their is a real possibility for more extended, dangerous heat. What about those folks? I kid you not when I say things like PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RUN A HIGH RISK FOR INJURY WHEN OVERHEATED. During the last heat wave seizures and uncontrolled asthma in at least 3 of these individuals was staved off by our efforts. Who knows what else we were able to prevent.
When and if the heat returns, I won't be able to sit back and feel ok about what we accomplished. I will be in your ears, in your minds, and hopefully... in your hearts.
On the other hand, I'm feeling like we let a whole lot of other people down. There's still 2 months ahead of us where their is a real possibility for more extended, dangerous heat. What about those folks? I kid you not when I say things like PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RUN A HIGH RISK FOR INJURY WHEN OVERHEATED. During the last heat wave seizures and uncontrolled asthma in at least 3 of these individuals was staved off by our efforts. Who knows what else we were able to prevent.
When and if the heat returns, I won't be able to sit back and feel ok about what we accomplished. I will be in your ears, in your minds, and hopefully... in your hearts.
Taxes and The People
I don't want to spend too much time on this issue, but in fairness, I believe both sides of this important story should be told. First, we have the small businesses "ovewhelmingly" opposing the tax hikes proposed by the Oregon Legislature. I don't know why these small businesses would do so. I'm a small business, and I don't oppose them.
Then you have Oregonians in general, being in favor of the tax hikes. That's where I fit in. I believe it's time that businesses of all sizes pay their fair share of taxes in Oregon.
Then you have Oregonians in general, being in favor of the tax hikes. That's where I fit in. I believe it's time that businesses of all sizes pay their fair share of taxes in Oregon.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Did You Expect Something Different?
As I mentioned in the Statesman Journal a few months back, closing the school for the Blind was a bad idea from the beginning. The money saved by the sale will be gone in no time, while these blind students will be left with the same education in public schools that brought them to the OSB in the first place.
As a reader of this article who goes by the handle of Blazerfan74 says in response to it... "I agree completely. As a special education teacher, I can attest to the fact that I, and pretty much all of my colleagues, would be ill-equipped to provide the services a student like this would require. This move by the state is a huge mistake. I hope this student nails the state in due process."
Now, a student/family is challenging this decision. I too hope they kick the state's hiney. From the AP...
----------------------------------
Student challenges closure of blind school
by The Associated Press
Friday July 31, 2009,
SALEM -- A student has filed a legal complaint with the state Department of Education that says the Oregon School for the Blind must remain open to comply with federal special education laws.
The student, who lives in the North Clackamas School District, says in the complaint she will not receive an adequate education after the Salem boarding school closes in September.
It is the first such complaint since state lawmakers voted in June to close the school that has been operating since the 19th century.
Supporters of the closure said students will get a better education for less money in their home districts. The student, however, contends in her complaint that the new individual education plan she has been offered by the North Clackamas school district is unacceptable because it offers fewer hours and fewer types of specialized instruction.
The complaint requests that the student continue at the Oregon School for the Blind until a resolution in reached. The school, on eight acres near Salem Hospital, could be sold after it closes Sept. 1.
Federal education law entitles students to continue to receive the same educational services as they had under a previous individual education plan until a dispute over a new plan can be settled.
Jake Weigler, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education, said nothing about the complaint would require keeping the state school open. "The (education plan) outlines the services that are to be provided, but not necessarily the location," Weigler said.
He said the state will try to mediate a solution acceptable to the family and the school district before ordering a formal hearing. Possible solutions include having the school district provide more services, having some services provided by another source or placing the student in a residential school for the blind in another state.
The student, who is visually impaired and mentally disabled, has attended the Salem school for nearly two years. She was receiving transition services, which helps students prepare for life after school.
Weigler said 28 students are transitioning away this summer as the school closes. He said 20 have reached agreements on how they will be educated.
-- The Associated Press
As a reader of this article who goes by the handle of Blazerfan74 says in response to it... "I agree completely. As a special education teacher, I can attest to the fact that I, and pretty much all of my colleagues, would be ill-equipped to provide the services a student like this would require. This move by the state is a huge mistake. I hope this student nails the state in due process."
Now, a student/family is challenging this decision. I too hope they kick the state's hiney. From the AP...
----------------------------------
Student challenges closure of blind school
by The Associated Press
Friday July 31, 2009,
SALEM -- A student has filed a legal complaint with the state Department of Education that says the Oregon School for the Blind must remain open to comply with federal special education laws.
The student, who lives in the North Clackamas School District, says in the complaint she will not receive an adequate education after the Salem boarding school closes in September.
It is the first such complaint since state lawmakers voted in June to close the school that has been operating since the 19th century.
Supporters of the closure said students will get a better education for less money in their home districts. The student, however, contends in her complaint that the new individual education plan she has been offered by the North Clackamas school district is unacceptable because it offers fewer hours and fewer types of specialized instruction.
The complaint requests that the student continue at the Oregon School for the Blind until a resolution in reached. The school, on eight acres near Salem Hospital, could be sold after it closes Sept. 1.
Federal education law entitles students to continue to receive the same educational services as they had under a previous individual education plan until a dispute over a new plan can be settled.
Jake Weigler, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education, said nothing about the complaint would require keeping the state school open. "The (education plan) outlines the services that are to be provided, but not necessarily the location," Weigler said.
He said the state will try to mediate a solution acceptable to the family and the school district before ordering a formal hearing. Possible solutions include having the school district provide more services, having some services provided by another source or placing the student in a residential school for the blind in another state.
The student, who is visually impaired and mentally disabled, has attended the Salem school for nearly two years. She was receiving transition services, which helps students prepare for life after school.
Weigler said 28 students are transitioning away this summer as the school closes. He said 20 have reached agreements on how they will be educated.
-- The Associated Press
Friday, July 31, 2009
Operation Cool Air 2
Just got home after installing 3 more air conditioners for folks with developmental disabilities in Portland. I feel GOOD. These were new air conditioners donated to the project from United Way, partnering with Standard TV and Appliances. It's only July 31, so I'm thinking these will be invaluable during the month of August.
It's not tooo late to get involved silent readers. Simply email me with the info. for your new (yeah, you heard me; NEW) or used air conditioner to make a very important difference in someone's life. If it was your family member, you'd want them to be cool during the heat, right?
It's not tooo late to get involved silent readers. Simply email me with the info. for your new (yeah, you heard me; NEW) or used air conditioner to make a very important difference in someone's life. If it was your family member, you'd want them to be cool during the heat, right?
Friday, July 24, 2009
Salaries Anyone? Part 2
Ahhh... another Opinion piece in the Oregonian today about how the wealthy will leave the state if taxes go up for them. This time it was written by Robert Millen, chairman of Jensen Investment Management in Lake Oswego. He’s also a Portfolio Manager who reportedly “helps” invest between 2.5 and 3 BILLION dollars for his company.
According to their website, he “joined the firm in 2000. He received his BBA degree in finance from the University of Iowa and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University. Bob has over 30 years experience in banking, investment management and financial services, including serving as Vice President of Principal Financial Group (1997-2000) and Group Vice President of Wellmark, Inc. (1990-1997). He was President of First Interstate Bank NA in Des Moines, Iowa and has held senior management positions at Norwest Bank NA also in Des Moines.”
I’m going to take a stab in the dark here, and guess that MAYBE he’s one of those rich people who don’t want their taxes to go up. Of course I could be wrong. It could be a volunteer gig.
According to their website, he “joined the firm in 2000. He received his BBA degree in finance from the University of Iowa and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University. Bob has over 30 years experience in banking, investment management and financial services, including serving as Vice President of Principal Financial Group (1997-2000) and Group Vice President of Wellmark, Inc. (1990-1997). He was President of First Interstate Bank NA in Des Moines, Iowa and has held senior management positions at Norwest Bank NA also in Des Moines.”
I’m going to take a stab in the dark here, and guess that MAYBE he’s one of those rich people who don’t want their taxes to go up. Of course I could be wrong. It could be a volunteer gig.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sorry Joseph...
Yesterday I had to cancel my nephew's scheduled visit to our home this coming Sunday. He comes over monthly from the foster home he lives in for dinner and sports on TV. The reason I had to do this is because of the inconsistency of LIFT coupled with the expected heat.
A few years back they had a recorded message on their voicemail stating that the temperature in their buses is only 10 degrees cooler than the actual temperature outside. That means if it's 95 degrees (as expected) the bus would be 85 degrees. That's just too hot in regard to his safety. I don't want to risk his health.
Then... when you factor in the possibility that he could be in the bus for an hour and 40 minutes like the last time he came over, it's just not worth it. It's not fair, and it stinks of discrimination, but people with developmental disabilities are discriminated against daily in Oregon.
A few years back they had a recorded message on their voicemail stating that the temperature in their buses is only 10 degrees cooler than the actual temperature outside. That means if it's 95 degrees (as expected) the bus would be 85 degrees. That's just too hot in regard to his safety. I don't want to risk his health.
Then... when you factor in the possibility that he could be in the bus for an hour and 40 minutes like the last time he came over, it's just not worth it. It's not fair, and it stinks of discrimination, but people with developmental disabilities are discriminated against daily in Oregon.
Salaries Anyone??
Have you noticed how the wealthy folks in Oregon have begun their unified grumbling about the proposed tax hikes (on them)? Yesterday’s Oregonian newspaper is a prime example of how the plan is to try to influence the working class to believe that those who voted for the tax hikes for the wealthy in the Legislature don’t care about unemployment in our state. In fact, the Senate Republicans Office sent out a press release of the letter today.
It was written as a Guest Opinion by Jon Chandler who happens to be the chief executive officer of the Oregon Home Builders Association. I believe the acronym for his job is “CEO”. I wonder what his salary is? Could this be a rich man pretending to be a working class stiff? That’s my guess. He apparently doesn’t believe the wealthy should have to pay their fair share of the tax burden.
Then you have the Oregon Catalyst, which again is a conservative republican website which also cares about the middle class. Why just the other day a similar article was written by Larry Huss, a regular contributor. Did I mention he’s also the Vice President of US West and a lawyer? Wonder what he makes each year?
Bottom line is that these cry babies who want to maintain as much money from their weighty salaries need to quit their complaining on behalf of the “common man”, who they really don’t seem to care about.
It was written as a Guest Opinion by Jon Chandler who happens to be the chief executive officer of the Oregon Home Builders Association. I believe the acronym for his job is “CEO”. I wonder what his salary is? Could this be a rich man pretending to be a working class stiff? That’s my guess. He apparently doesn’t believe the wealthy should have to pay their fair share of the tax burden.
Then you have the Oregon Catalyst, which again is a conservative republican website which also cares about the middle class. Why just the other day a similar article was written by Larry Huss, a regular contributor. Did I mention he’s also the Vice President of US West and a lawyer? Wonder what he makes each year?
Bottom line is that these cry babies who want to maintain as much money from their weighty salaries need to quit their complaining on behalf of the “common man”, who they really don’t seem to care about.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
LIFT Lies
I have been dealing with Tri Met LIFT service up close and personally for the past 20something years. LIFT is the transportation service used by people with disabilities, who for one reason or another are unable to use the bus/MAX systems in Portland.They receive payments from both federal and state government to provide rides as needed. In fact, there is an oversight committee that meets monthly which is comprised of people with disabilities, whose job is to ensure that this service as well as fixed route (buses and MAX) adhere to ADA requirements, making transportation "user friendly" for people with disabilities in Portland and its' suburbs.
For the past few years I've been receiving the agendas and minutes for these committee meetings as I like to see for myself what is being discussed. I've also been aware for years that Tri Met skews the reality of LIFT performance, probably to make sure the dollars keep coming in. I mean, if the funders of LIFT knew how badly they truly perform, they may choose to not continue to pay for bad service. On July 10th I received the minutes from their meeting back in June. As I read along, I was taken back by what one of the committee members said. A member "commented the LIFT performance report statistics on complaints being down 40 percent is good, and he noticed a reduction in LIFT ridership."
Flash back to a LIFT ride my autistic nephew experienced a litle bit more than a month ago. I wrote the following to the membership of the committee that same day..."I'm unsure as to whether or not this is the appropriate place to send this email, but I believe it's important that all the people on this list see it. Of course complaints are down 40%, when the office for LIFT doesn't follow up or return calls to complaintants. I called them over a month ago to complain that my nephew, who uses LIFT, drove around for an hour and 40 minutes with his driver before being dropped off at my house. I left the message on their voicemail with a request that they call me about it. I Still haven't heard back from them regarding my complaint."
A few additional points merit a mentioning here.
1.)6 years ago I met with Bob Nelson (a Tri Met administrator) along with 3 LIFT riders who told him their PERSONAL stories of how badly LIFT was performing. He shrugged it off without taking any action.
2.) I have complained repeatedly over the years, and unless I FOLLOWED UP on my complaint, I never have heard back from them.
3.) When I asked the driver who brought my nephew to my house if he thought lugging someone around for an hour and 40 minutes is an ok thing to do, he said "no", to which I replied "It's time to change the system". His response was "Good luck with that".
For the past few years I've been receiving the agendas and minutes for these committee meetings as I like to see for myself what is being discussed. I've also been aware for years that Tri Met skews the reality of LIFT performance, probably to make sure the dollars keep coming in. I mean, if the funders of LIFT knew how badly they truly perform, they may choose to not continue to pay for bad service. On July 10th I received the minutes from their meeting back in June. As I read along, I was taken back by what one of the committee members said. A member "commented the LIFT performance report statistics on complaints being down 40 percent is good, and he noticed a reduction in LIFT ridership."
Flash back to a LIFT ride my autistic nephew experienced a litle bit more than a month ago. I wrote the following to the membership of the committee that same day..."I'm unsure as to whether or not this is the appropriate place to send this email, but I believe it's important that all the people on this list see it. Of course complaints are down 40%, when the office for LIFT doesn't follow up or return calls to complaintants. I called them over a month ago to complain that my nephew, who uses LIFT, drove around for an hour and 40 minutes with his driver before being dropped off at my house. I left the message on their voicemail with a request that they call me about it. I Still haven't heard back from them regarding my complaint."
A few additional points merit a mentioning here.
1.)6 years ago I met with Bob Nelson (a Tri Met administrator) along with 3 LIFT riders who told him their PERSONAL stories of how badly LIFT was performing. He shrugged it off without taking any action.
2.) I have complained repeatedly over the years, and unless I FOLLOWED UP on my complaint, I never have heard back from them.
3.) When I asked the driver who brought my nephew to my house if he thought lugging someone around for an hour and 40 minutes is an ok thing to do, he said "no", to which I replied "It's time to change the system". His response was "Good luck with that".
Monday, July 13, 2009
I Don't Have To Return Your Calls
Because I consider you to be pesky
I don't have to return your calls.
Because you want the truth
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I am fearful
I don't have to return your calls.
Because people sometimes don't return my calls
I don't have to return your calls.
Because this is modern day America
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I am so full of myself
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I don't want to answer that
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I am not REALLY professional
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I can lie with an excuse
I don't have to return your calls.
Because you are probably right
I don't have to return your calls.
I don't have to return your calls.
Because you want the truth
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I am fearful
I don't have to return your calls.
Because people sometimes don't return my calls
I don't have to return your calls.
Because this is modern day America
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I am so full of myself
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I don't want to answer that
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I am not REALLY professional
I don't have to return your calls.
Because I can lie with an excuse
I don't have to return your calls.
Because you are probably right
I don't have to return your calls.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Terrorists On The Home Front
I received the following email from the Southern Poverty Law Center today. I’ve never been a big fan of the mindset which must accompany one to serve in the military, and this only lends credence to my conviction...
July 10, 2009
Dear Friend,
We have uncovered new evidence that racial extremists are infiltrating the U.S. military and have asked Congress today to launch an immediate investigation to ensure that our armed forces are not inadvertently training future domestic terrorists.
In recent months, our investigators have found dozens of personal profiles of individuals listing "military" as their occupation on a neo-Nazi, Facebook-type website. One person, apparently serving in Afghanistan, lists The Turner Diaries as his favorite book. That's the book by neo-Nazi leader William Pierce that served as the blueprint for the Oklahoma City bombing by Gulf War veteran Timothy McVeigh.
We've been warning the Pentagon about the danger of extremists in the military for more than two decades. In 2008, the FBI issued a report indicating that the problem may have worsened. Unfortunately, the Pentagon has not taken forceful action.
Indeed, the Pentagon appears to consider homosexuals more of a threat to the good order of the military than neo-Nazis who reject our Constitution's most cherished principles. While the military has discharged more than 12,500 service members because of their alleged homosexuality since 1994, it has refused to adopt a true "zero tolerance" policy when it comes to extremists in the military.
The overwhelming majority of our courageous men and women in uniform reject extremism and are dedicated to our nation's highest ideals. We owe it to them — and to the American public — to ensure that the ranks are as free of extremists as possible.
Please stand with us on this crucial issue and contact your congresspersons. We recommend sending a personal letter or calling the offices of your U.S. Senator or Representative.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
J. Richard Cohen
President, Southern Poverty Law Center
July 10, 2009
Dear Friend,
We have uncovered new evidence that racial extremists are infiltrating the U.S. military and have asked Congress today to launch an immediate investigation to ensure that our armed forces are not inadvertently training future domestic terrorists.
In recent months, our investigators have found dozens of personal profiles of individuals listing "military" as their occupation on a neo-Nazi, Facebook-type website. One person, apparently serving in Afghanistan, lists The Turner Diaries as his favorite book. That's the book by neo-Nazi leader William Pierce that served as the blueprint for the Oklahoma City bombing by Gulf War veteran Timothy McVeigh.
We've been warning the Pentagon about the danger of extremists in the military for more than two decades. In 2008, the FBI issued a report indicating that the problem may have worsened. Unfortunately, the Pentagon has not taken forceful action.
Indeed, the Pentagon appears to consider homosexuals more of a threat to the good order of the military than neo-Nazis who reject our Constitution's most cherished principles. While the military has discharged more than 12,500 service members because of their alleged homosexuality since 1994, it has refused to adopt a true "zero tolerance" policy when it comes to extremists in the military.
The overwhelming majority of our courageous men and women in uniform reject extremism and are dedicated to our nation's highest ideals. We owe it to them — and to the American public — to ensure that the ranks are as free of extremists as possible.
Please stand with us on this crucial issue and contact your congresspersons. We recommend sending a personal letter or calling the offices of your U.S. Senator or Representative.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
J. Richard Cohen
President, Southern Poverty Law Center
My 400th Post!
I was inspired this morning by a quote from Susan B. Anthony, who once said; “Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world’s estimation.”
This quote came from Oregon Senator Vicki Walker who has accepted a job working with the criminal justice system in Oregon. My guess is that she recognizes that she probably had as many, if not more enemies than friends in the Legislature. It’s the same belief I have of what’s wrong in our state, country, and world today. Too many ass kissers trying to do the best they can for themselves, while leaving those who struggle to fend for themselves. I like Vicki Walker (for now at least).
This quote came from Oregon Senator Vicki Walker who has accepted a job working with the criminal justice system in Oregon. My guess is that she recognizes that she probably had as many, if not more enemies than friends in the Legislature. It’s the same belief I have of what’s wrong in our state, country, and world today. Too many ass kissers trying to do the best they can for themselves, while leaving those who struggle to fend for themselves. I like Vicki Walker (for now at least).
20 Days Of Absence
Sometimes I feel like owning this blog is like owning a two edged sword. I get to express my opinions, and point out what sorts of things I've both seen and experienced in the world of developmental disabilities. It's generally not real pretty, and I become overwhelmed with the negativity of what I write.
I'm also aware that I probably have more enemies than friends as a result of having a blog that is offensive to some folks who read it. On some deep level I want to be liked, and it causes me to step away from the blog. Then something will happen which causes me to "go back to work."
The other day I was speaking to a person about my blog, saying I wasn't sure why I bother to write about what I see and experience. I told her I get tired of the lack of comments on my posts, and that I feel like no one really cares about what I've seen and experienced. This person caught me off guard when she said; "You do it because they (people with developmental disabilities)need you to." As simple as that thought may be, it was like hearing it for the very first time. This came from the mouth of a mother of an adult child who has a developmental disability.
So, I'm back to it. If that disappoints someone, who cares? I'm thinking I've only got one chance to make the world a user friendly place for people with developmental disabilities, so I need to do this for them.
I'm also aware that I probably have more enemies than friends as a result of having a blog that is offensive to some folks who read it. On some deep level I want to be liked, and it causes me to step away from the blog. Then something will happen which causes me to "go back to work."
The other day I was speaking to a person about my blog, saying I wasn't sure why I bother to write about what I see and experience. I told her I get tired of the lack of comments on my posts, and that I feel like no one really cares about what I've seen and experienced. This person caught me off guard when she said; "You do it because they (people with developmental disabilities)need you to." As simple as that thought may be, it was like hearing it for the very first time. This came from the mouth of a mother of an adult child who has a developmental disability.
So, I'm back to it. If that disappoints someone, who cares? I'm thinking I've only got one chance to make the world a user friendly place for people with developmental disabilities, so I need to do this for them.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Suspicions
I'm suspicious.
The way this whole Gregory Rold death was handled, how could one NOT be suspicious. The amount of attention paid to this case by the media in Oregon was significantly less than several other cases where no one died. And... they STILL can't even agree on his age!
Yesterday, the Marion County Grand Jury found that the Police (4) didn't cause his death, but that he basically died of a bad heart with obesity as a contributing factor. If you have to fight off 4 police officers who are tasering and beating you with batons, I suppose that would cause stress to a weakened system. My question is why they felt the need to go so hard on a man suspected of merely TRESPASSING??
They also have dropped the conversation of disability when writing about Gregory. That would make him a part of 2 protected classes...being black, and having either a developmental disability or mental illness. It would also require the officers involved to have ALREADY been trained on best practice for dealing with such people. Were they?
I hope this whole thing isn't over. I hope community members start asking questions beyond the obvious. I hope that more is revealed in a civil suit. My suspicions tell me otherwise.
The way this whole Gregory Rold death was handled, how could one NOT be suspicious. The amount of attention paid to this case by the media in Oregon was significantly less than several other cases where no one died. And... they STILL can't even agree on his age!
Yesterday, the Marion County Grand Jury found that the Police (4) didn't cause his death, but that he basically died of a bad heart with obesity as a contributing factor. If you have to fight off 4 police officers who are tasering and beating you with batons, I suppose that would cause stress to a weakened system. My question is why they felt the need to go so hard on a man suspected of merely TRESPASSING??
They also have dropped the conversation of disability when writing about Gregory. That would make him a part of 2 protected classes...being black, and having either a developmental disability or mental illness. It would also require the officers involved to have ALREADY been trained on best practice for dealing with such people. Were they?
I hope this whole thing isn't over. I hope community members start asking questions beyond the obvious. I hope that more is revealed in a civil suit. My suspicions tell me otherwise.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Yeah... Right...
So... now it seems like Bob Joondeph (from Disability Rights Oregon) is attempting to distance himself from his vaulted testimony given to the Oregon Legislature around closing the School For the Blind. The DRO blog states that he wonders... " Are we, as Michael suggests, hurting children in pursuit of a ideal that cannot be realized? I can't adopt that viewpoint without conceding the futility of achieving a truly inclusive society. Defending both OSB students and our movement toward integration are not incompatible goals."
My question is... "And how exactly did you "defend" the OSB students?" All I saw from Bob was testimony about the reasons to close the school, with virtually nothing about the students or their families wishes. If he was really caring about "achieving a truly inclusive society" as he claims, he would have made sure that a developmentally disabled woman with stage 3 cancer recieved the treatment she required; same as a non-disabled person. Did he? No! He sat back and watched while Multnomah County's best and brightest simply allowed her to expire. But that's Bob for you.
My question is... "And how exactly did you "defend" the OSB students?" All I saw from Bob was testimony about the reasons to close the school, with virtually nothing about the students or their families wishes. If he was really caring about "achieving a truly inclusive society" as he claims, he would have made sure that a developmentally disabled woman with stage 3 cancer recieved the treatment she required; same as a non-disabled person. Did he? No! He sat back and watched while Multnomah County's best and brightest simply allowed her to expire. But that's Bob for you.
Friday, June 12, 2009
HB 2442
This is a press release from out of Salem this morning. Only the test of time will show if it worked or not.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2009
House Votes to Protect Vulnerable Oregonians from Abuse
HB 2442 would make sweeping changes to adult protective services in Oregon
SALEM – Oregonians with developmental disabilities will have substantial new protections from abuse, under a bill passed by the Oregon House of Representatives today. HB 2442, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis) and Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukee), makes sweeping changes to adult protective services in Oregon. Passage of the bill was a top priority for House Democrats this session.
“Crimes against people with disabilities are everyone’s business,” said Gelser. “This bill is an important first step towards protecting the safety of our most vulnerable neighbors. Everyone deserves to be safe in their own home, and people with developmental disabilities should be no exception.”
In 2007, the Oregonian began profiling the significant problem of abuse and neglect of adults with developmental disabilities in state paid care. They reported that one in five adults with developmental disabilities had been victims of significant abuse in the previous seven years, many of them on multiple occasions. These abuses included sexual assault, physical assault and financial exploitation. Although these allegations of abuse were substantiated and frequently rose to the level of a crime, only about 15% of these cases were investigated by the public safety system.
“Many of our vulnerable who live in care facilities never receive a visitor, making them especially susceptible to abuse, fraud or other crimes,” said Tomei. “This bill goes a long way to making sure vulnerable Oregonians are protected.”
The bill will standardize abuse investigations, increase collaboration between the Department of Human Services and local law enforcement agencies, and allow for immediate notification of all residents of a facility when a substantiated abuse has occurred. The bill will also preclude individuals with felony convictions and crimes against vulnerable people from being hired as direct care providers. For the first time in decades, fines and civil penalties for substantiated abuse will be increased and redirected into a fund to improve training of care providers.
“Today, a fine for egregious abuse can be as low as $50—less than the penalty for harming an animal or parking illegally. That is outrageous,” said Gelser. “This bill establishes a minimum civil penalty of $2500 for cases of substantiated abuse that involve rape, sexual assault, serious physical injury or result in the death of the victim.”
The bill was the result of a large interim working group that included self advocates, providers, law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Department of Human Services, defense attorneys and others.
“Today is an important day for vulnerable Oregonians. By passing this bill, we affirm that we value the safety and dignity of every Oregonian, and that we will hold those who abuse adults with disabilities accountable in the civil and criminal justice system,” said Gelser. “As a result, vulnerable adults will be safer in their homes and their communities.”
House Democrats have made protecting seniors and our most vulnerable citizens from financial scams, fraud and sexual abuse by improved investigative processes, better court access and tougher penalties a top priority this session. HB 2442 is a cornerstone of that effort and is part of the House Democrats’ 2009 Roadmap for Oregon’s Future.
HB 2442 now moves to the Senate.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2009
House Votes to Protect Vulnerable Oregonians from Abuse
HB 2442 would make sweeping changes to adult protective services in Oregon
SALEM – Oregonians with developmental disabilities will have substantial new protections from abuse, under a bill passed by the Oregon House of Representatives today. HB 2442, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis) and Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukee), makes sweeping changes to adult protective services in Oregon. Passage of the bill was a top priority for House Democrats this session.
“Crimes against people with disabilities are everyone’s business,” said Gelser. “This bill is an important first step towards protecting the safety of our most vulnerable neighbors. Everyone deserves to be safe in their own home, and people with developmental disabilities should be no exception.”
In 2007, the Oregonian began profiling the significant problem of abuse and neglect of adults with developmental disabilities in state paid care. They reported that one in five adults with developmental disabilities had been victims of significant abuse in the previous seven years, many of them on multiple occasions. These abuses included sexual assault, physical assault and financial exploitation. Although these allegations of abuse were substantiated and frequently rose to the level of a crime, only about 15% of these cases were investigated by the public safety system.
“Many of our vulnerable who live in care facilities never receive a visitor, making them especially susceptible to abuse, fraud or other crimes,” said Tomei. “This bill goes a long way to making sure vulnerable Oregonians are protected.”
The bill will standardize abuse investigations, increase collaboration between the Department of Human Services and local law enforcement agencies, and allow for immediate notification of all residents of a facility when a substantiated abuse has occurred. The bill will also preclude individuals with felony convictions and crimes against vulnerable people from being hired as direct care providers. For the first time in decades, fines and civil penalties for substantiated abuse will be increased and redirected into a fund to improve training of care providers.
“Today, a fine for egregious abuse can be as low as $50—less than the penalty for harming an animal or parking illegally. That is outrageous,” said Gelser. “This bill establishes a minimum civil penalty of $2500 for cases of substantiated abuse that involve rape, sexual assault, serious physical injury or result in the death of the victim.”
The bill was the result of a large interim working group that included self advocates, providers, law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Department of Human Services, defense attorneys and others.
“Today is an important day for vulnerable Oregonians. By passing this bill, we affirm that we value the safety and dignity of every Oregonian, and that we will hold those who abuse adults with disabilities accountable in the civil and criminal justice system,” said Gelser. “As a result, vulnerable adults will be safer in their homes and their communities.”
House Democrats have made protecting seniors and our most vulnerable citizens from financial scams, fraud and sexual abuse by improved investigative processes, better court access and tougher penalties a top priority this session. HB 2442 is a cornerstone of that effort and is part of the House Democrats’ 2009 Roadmap for Oregon’s Future.
HB 2442 now moves to the Senate.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Unless I Go Away, This Won't Either
Here in Oregon, we're good at wrapping things up quickly and efficiently.
Couldn't have been more than a week ago, where a white woman sliced into another white woman's stomach in an attempt to "steal" her unborn baby. That's not only resolved, but there's already a law going into effect to prosecute such a crime as 2 seperate murders. That's what I call being on the ball.
Then there's the case from
Couldn't have been more than a week ago, where a white woman sliced into another white woman's stomach in an attempt to "steal" her unborn baby. That's not only resolved, but there's already a law going into effect to prosecute such a crime as 2 seperate murders. That's what I call being on the ball.
Then there's the case from
Sunday, June 07, 2009
When Justice Fails
I ran into this story this morning out of Indiana. It demonstrates what happens when justice fails...
June 7, 2009
By Jerry Davich, Post-Tribune columnist
James Writt simply wanted a box of Hamburger Helper for dinner. The 19-year-old Griffith teen left home at dusk on April 15, 2008, and walked toward the grocery store where he worked as a stock boy. Writt, unable to drive a car due to developmental disabilities, walked everywhere in his neighborhood, including to work each day.
On this evening, as he walked 35th Avenue toward the Mansards apartment complex, a group of 10 or so teens approached him. One of them got in his face and asked for money. Another snuck up behind him carrying a barbell pipe. The rest watched.
Seconds later, the teen with the barbell -- allegedly Bryon Hill, police say -- struck Writt in the head with the makeshift weapon. The blow sliced open Writt's scalp and fractured his skull.
Writt blacked out and collapsed in the middle of the road, just west of Arbogast Street. Hill allegedly kept striking Writt's head, again and again and again. Blood oozed from Writt's head, covering his face and clothes, even leaving a puddle on the street.
A motorist happened to drive by, and the group of teens fled every which way. Not one of them stopped to check on Writt. Not one of them called 911 to get him help. Not one of them cared whether he lived or died.
Writt, nearly unconscious, managed to get up and stagger back home a few blocks away. In the dark and without his glasses, only a trail of blood accompanied him home.
Writt was always a great kid, just different from other kids at school, in his neighborhood, or pretty much anywhere else.
He's had medical problems since birth, including the need for glasses at 18 months old and tubes in his ears for chronic ear infections. In the sixth grade he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a developmental disability that falls in the autism spectrum.
Those afflicted with the recently recognized neurological disorder often have difficulty understanding what those around them think and feel. Because of this, they often act strangely in social situations, or do things that may appear odd.
"In hindsight, now that I know what some of the signs of autism are, I can see he's always had it," explained his mother, Mary Wright.
In short, he lives with certain limitations, making him appear odd or quirky to others, including kids who can be very cruel about such differences. At school, he was routinely teased and often felt lonely, especially in a classroom of students.
He tried inviting fellow classmates to birthday parties. Not one of them ever showed up. So he withdrew and walked away. He's been walking ever since, just about everywhere.
"It makes him feel independent and free," Wright noted.
'Completely covered in blood'
According to Griffith Police Department reports, several teens were detained and questioned regarding the attack. All the teens were black males between the ages of 13 and 20, with possible gang affiliations.
"(Writt's) face and head were completely covered in blood," the initial police report stated. "He was later transported to Munster Community Hospital for treatment."
There, Writt spent 10 days in the intensive care unit, most days in excruciating pain. He still suffers headaches and migraines.
Back in Griffith near Writt's home, police began investigating the attack. They found the crime scene in the street, Writt's trail of blood home and, several days later, the silver and black barbell weapon, located about 50 feet in the woods along 35th Avenue.
The day after the attack, Bryon Hill was arrested on other charges, and he told officers he knew who attacked Writt. Twelve days later, while in Lake County Jail, Hill told detectives that he witnessed the attack against Writt, but he didn't take part in it.
A few days later, another suspect, Jonathan Wise, was arrested on other charges and he too told police he had information about the attack. Wise claimed that Hill was the guy who attacked Writt, and he had other friends who could confirm it.
Sure enough, they confirmed that Hill was the one who assaulted Writt. Five weeks after the attack, police showed Hill painfully graphic photos of Writt's blood-splattered injuries and he appeared "physically shaken" by them.
"Hill only looked at part of one page and then hid his head in his arm or shirt," the report states.
Weeks later, police presented the case against Hill to the Lake County Prosecutors Office.
"We thought they had the right guy, and he would be convicted for his crime," Wright said.
She was wrong.
Last month, Writt was brave enough to testify twice in his trial against Hill. But it didn't matter. Hill was found not guilty by a jury.
Writt's mother believes Hill's public defender discredited the other teenage witnesses and twisted the logistical accounts of the crime. She also still believes Hill did the actual beating and he is guilty as sin.
Hill, I'm told, is now out of jail and possibly moving to Texas.
The other suspect, Jonathan Wise, has been charged in the attack. He was arrested May 21 in Lansing and is now in Lake County Jail awaiting another interview with Griffith police.
"We are disappointed in the outcome of the trial, but we are still actively pursuing this case," Griffith Police Chief Ron Kottka said.
Last week, Writt and his mother returned to the scene. They allowed me to shadow them down 35th Avenue as they walked to the site of the beating, a site Writt has been avoiding.
As we walked, a motorist stopped to ask directions. Writt, being his usual friendly self, didn't hesitate to help the man even though he may have been facing his biggest fear a couple blocks away.
Writt, a soft-spoken man who still has an indentation in his head from the attack, didn't say much as his mother recited in detail what took place that night.
Why, I asked Writt, are you returning here now? "I want to get over it and be able to walk through here again," he replied.
In many ways, he has gotten over the attack. It's his mother who is still being assaulted emotionally, as only a protective, nurturing mother could.
On May 9, I received an e-mail from Wright. After months of deliberation over contacting me for a column, Hill's infuriating verdict of "not guilty" forced her decision.
"I want people to know what happened, and maybe they can help me understand what's wrong with our world," she told me.
Earlier that week, Wright sat in courtroom and listened to three of Hill's "friends" coldly recount how they watched Hill repeatedly beat her son unconscious with a bar. She watched as they yawned, slouched and disrespected the courtroom proceedings.
She strained to grasp how they could simply leave her boy in the middle of a dark street, in a puddle of blood, and lifeless, as cars drove past.
"They didn't call 911. They simply ran off, worried only about themselves," she told me.
One of the teens testified that he thought James was dead.
"How did he sleep that night?" Wright asked.
Another teen testified that James' blood was everywhere.
"Did he give it a second thought?" Wright asked.
The teens reportedly told their families about the attack, yet no one ever called Wright to check on James' condition or offer empathy. No one ever asked James' siblings at school what happened to him. No one ever visited the hospital. Nothing.
"Please help me understand what's wrong with people?" Wright asked as we walked down 35th Avenue. "Can you find the answer for me? Can you ask your readers for me?"
So there you have it. One brutal attack against a region man. Another brutal attack against humanity. And yet one more mother screaming in the wind without a voice.
Maybe someone has new evidence about this case. Maybe someone has something on Hill or Wise. Maybe someone has those answers for Wright.
One thing is for sure. This is not solely about James Writt and the night of April 15, 2008. This is about the world in which we live, and which we struggle to understand.
Lastly, I'm told that James lost his grocery store job and is looking for a new one, possibly involving computer work, his passion. If anyone is interested in giving him a shot, let me know.
Society as a whole may have let him down, but maybe together we can help pick him up off that dark, blood-stained street.
June 7, 2009
By Jerry Davich, Post-Tribune columnist
James Writt simply wanted a box of Hamburger Helper for dinner. The 19-year-old Griffith teen left home at dusk on April 15, 2008, and walked toward the grocery store where he worked as a stock boy. Writt, unable to drive a car due to developmental disabilities, walked everywhere in his neighborhood, including to work each day.
On this evening, as he walked 35th Avenue toward the Mansards apartment complex, a group of 10 or so teens approached him. One of them got in his face and asked for money. Another snuck up behind him carrying a barbell pipe. The rest watched.
Seconds later, the teen with the barbell -- allegedly Bryon Hill, police say -- struck Writt in the head with the makeshift weapon. The blow sliced open Writt's scalp and fractured his skull.
Writt blacked out and collapsed in the middle of the road, just west of Arbogast Street. Hill allegedly kept striking Writt's head, again and again and again. Blood oozed from Writt's head, covering his face and clothes, even leaving a puddle on the street.
A motorist happened to drive by, and the group of teens fled every which way. Not one of them stopped to check on Writt. Not one of them called 911 to get him help. Not one of them cared whether he lived or died.
Writt, nearly unconscious, managed to get up and stagger back home a few blocks away. In the dark and without his glasses, only a trail of blood accompanied him home.
Writt was always a great kid, just different from other kids at school, in his neighborhood, or pretty much anywhere else.
He's had medical problems since birth, including the need for glasses at 18 months old and tubes in his ears for chronic ear infections. In the sixth grade he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a developmental disability that falls in the autism spectrum.
Those afflicted with the recently recognized neurological disorder often have difficulty understanding what those around them think and feel. Because of this, they often act strangely in social situations, or do things that may appear odd.
"In hindsight, now that I know what some of the signs of autism are, I can see he's always had it," explained his mother, Mary Wright.
In short, he lives with certain limitations, making him appear odd or quirky to others, including kids who can be very cruel about such differences. At school, he was routinely teased and often felt lonely, especially in a classroom of students.
He tried inviting fellow classmates to birthday parties. Not one of them ever showed up. So he withdrew and walked away. He's been walking ever since, just about everywhere.
"It makes him feel independent and free," Wright noted.
'Completely covered in blood'
According to Griffith Police Department reports, several teens were detained and questioned regarding the attack. All the teens were black males between the ages of 13 and 20, with possible gang affiliations.
"(Writt's) face and head were completely covered in blood," the initial police report stated. "He was later transported to Munster Community Hospital for treatment."
There, Writt spent 10 days in the intensive care unit, most days in excruciating pain. He still suffers headaches and migraines.
Back in Griffith near Writt's home, police began investigating the attack. They found the crime scene in the street, Writt's trail of blood home and, several days later, the silver and black barbell weapon, located about 50 feet in the woods along 35th Avenue.
The day after the attack, Bryon Hill was arrested on other charges, and he told officers he knew who attacked Writt. Twelve days later, while in Lake County Jail, Hill told detectives that he witnessed the attack against Writt, but he didn't take part in it.
A few days later, another suspect, Jonathan Wise, was arrested on other charges and he too told police he had information about the attack. Wise claimed that Hill was the guy who attacked Writt, and he had other friends who could confirm it.
Sure enough, they confirmed that Hill was the one who assaulted Writt. Five weeks after the attack, police showed Hill painfully graphic photos of Writt's blood-splattered injuries and he appeared "physically shaken" by them.
"Hill only looked at part of one page and then hid his head in his arm or shirt," the report states.
Weeks later, police presented the case against Hill to the Lake County Prosecutors Office.
"We thought they had the right guy, and he would be convicted for his crime," Wright said.
She was wrong.
Last month, Writt was brave enough to testify twice in his trial against Hill. But it didn't matter. Hill was found not guilty by a jury.
Writt's mother believes Hill's public defender discredited the other teenage witnesses and twisted the logistical accounts of the crime. She also still believes Hill did the actual beating and he is guilty as sin.
Hill, I'm told, is now out of jail and possibly moving to Texas.
The other suspect, Jonathan Wise, has been charged in the attack. He was arrested May 21 in Lansing and is now in Lake County Jail awaiting another interview with Griffith police.
"We are disappointed in the outcome of the trial, but we are still actively pursuing this case," Griffith Police Chief Ron Kottka said.
Last week, Writt and his mother returned to the scene. They allowed me to shadow them down 35th Avenue as they walked to the site of the beating, a site Writt has been avoiding.
As we walked, a motorist stopped to ask directions. Writt, being his usual friendly self, didn't hesitate to help the man even though he may have been facing his biggest fear a couple blocks away.
Writt, a soft-spoken man who still has an indentation in his head from the attack, didn't say much as his mother recited in detail what took place that night.
Why, I asked Writt, are you returning here now? "I want to get over it and be able to walk through here again," he replied.
In many ways, he has gotten over the attack. It's his mother who is still being assaulted emotionally, as only a protective, nurturing mother could.
On May 9, I received an e-mail from Wright. After months of deliberation over contacting me for a column, Hill's infuriating verdict of "not guilty" forced her decision.
"I want people to know what happened, and maybe they can help me understand what's wrong with our world," she told me.
Earlier that week, Wright sat in courtroom and listened to three of Hill's "friends" coldly recount how they watched Hill repeatedly beat her son unconscious with a bar. She watched as they yawned, slouched and disrespected the courtroom proceedings.
She strained to grasp how they could simply leave her boy in the middle of a dark street, in a puddle of blood, and lifeless, as cars drove past.
"They didn't call 911. They simply ran off, worried only about themselves," she told me.
One of the teens testified that he thought James was dead.
"How did he sleep that night?" Wright asked.
Another teen testified that James' blood was everywhere.
"Did he give it a second thought?" Wright asked.
The teens reportedly told their families about the attack, yet no one ever called Wright to check on James' condition or offer empathy. No one ever asked James' siblings at school what happened to him. No one ever visited the hospital. Nothing.
"Please help me understand what's wrong with people?" Wright asked as we walked down 35th Avenue. "Can you find the answer for me? Can you ask your readers for me?"
So there you have it. One brutal attack against a region man. Another brutal attack against humanity. And yet one more mother screaming in the wind without a voice.
Maybe someone has new evidence about this case. Maybe someone has something on Hill or Wise. Maybe someone has those answers for Wright.
One thing is for sure. This is not solely about James Writt and the night of April 15, 2008. This is about the world in which we live, and which we struggle to understand.
Lastly, I'm told that James lost his grocery store job and is looking for a new one, possibly involving computer work, his passion. If anyone is interested in giving him a shot, let me know.
Society as a whole may have let him down, but maybe together we can help pick him up off that dark, blood-stained street.
Anonymous Assistance
Just when I thought I wouldn't receive any help in understanding what's going on in the Gregory Rold case, I got this comment, sent anonymously to my post titled "Somebody Help Me".
"gregory was not black. he was from micronesia and he was mentally ill. gregory was a loving man but the mind of a child. sometimes he was not easy to be around but he didnt deserve to die. he was laid to rest yesterday. we will not let this situation and senseless killing go away. i have been with the family since they came to the united states and i will continue to help them get justice."
As I've mentioned several times, I don't post "anonymous" comments on my blog, but thought this was interesting enough to post about myself. I'm aware that Gregory was from the Marshall Islands, but the police probably saw him as black. And if he had the "mind of a child", I still contend that he probably had a developmental disability. If he was laid to rest yesterday, the investigation must have been completed (I hope...). Sooo...where's the info. on that??
"gregory was not black. he was from micronesia and he was mentally ill. gregory was a loving man but the mind of a child. sometimes he was not easy to be around but he didnt deserve to die. he was laid to rest yesterday. we will not let this situation and senseless killing go away. i have been with the family since they came to the united states and i will continue to help them get justice."
As I've mentioned several times, I don't post "anonymous" comments on my blog, but thought this was interesting enough to post about myself. I'm aware that Gregory was from the Marshall Islands, but the police probably saw him as black. And if he had the "mind of a child", I still contend that he probably had a developmental disability. If he was laid to rest yesterday, the investigation must have been completed (I hope...). Sooo...where's the info. on that??
Friday, June 05, 2009
Little People Big Wallet
Every once in a while I tune in to watch "Little People Big World" on the Discovery Channel. Amy Roloff says in the intro. that they just want to have the same life everyone else does. I don't buy that for a second.
Each episode has the family either doing major remodels to their home or taking some kind of exotic trip. NO ONE else I know has the luxury of living in such a fashion, and don't tell me they're rich because of selling step stools to hotels and pumpkins. There is nothing normal about these folks, and I'm not talking about dwarfism.
They seem to be sending out the wrong message. I'd much rather watch what happens in the lives of real people with real challenges.
Each episode has the family either doing major remodels to their home or taking some kind of exotic trip. NO ONE else I know has the luxury of living in such a fashion, and don't tell me they're rich because of selling step stools to hotels and pumpkins. There is nothing normal about these folks, and I'm not talking about dwarfism.
They seem to be sending out the wrong message. I'd much rather watch what happens in the lives of real people with real challenges.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Let's Do It!
if you're someone who reads this blog with any kind of regularity, you probably care about fairness, justice, civil rights, and equity. If that's the case for you, and you live in Oregon, here's a chance to prove it. I just received this from the Oregon Center for Public Policy. I'll be there...will you??
Take Part in Sunday's United for Oregon March
For too long, Oregon has asked low- and middle-income families to sacrifice more
than those who can most afford it. In the current tough times, lawmakers are proposing
large budget cuts that would further harm low- and middle-income Oregonians, those
most hurt by the economic crisis.
It's time for corporations and wealthy Oregonians to pay their fair share.
Make your voice heard and demand better!
Date: Sunday, June 7
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Place: Downtown Portland. March begins at the Eastbank Esplanade (near OMSI between
SE Main and Taylor), ends at Terry Schrunk Plaza for a rally at 2:00 p.m. (SW 3rd
and Madison).
Event organizers include Oregon PTA, KBOO 90.7, SEIU 503, Jobs With Justice, Children
First For Oregon, AARP, Oregon Education Association, Our Oregon, Keep Oregon Working
Coalition.
Take Part in Sunday's United for Oregon March
For too long, Oregon has asked low- and middle-income families to sacrifice more
than those who can most afford it. In the current tough times, lawmakers are proposing
large budget cuts that would further harm low- and middle-income Oregonians, those
most hurt by the economic crisis.
It's time for corporations and wealthy Oregonians to pay their fair share.
Make your voice heard and demand better!
Date: Sunday, June 7
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Place: Downtown Portland. March begins at the Eastbank Esplanade (near OMSI between
SE Main and Taylor), ends at Terry Schrunk Plaza for a rally at 2:00 p.m. (SW 3rd
and Madison).
Event organizers include Oregon PTA, KBOO 90.7, SEIU 503, Jobs With Justice, Children
First For Oregon, AARP, Oregon Education Association, Our Oregon, Keep Oregon Working
Coalition.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Somebody Help Me
I've not followed a murder investigation (like this one) before. I admit it... I'm in over my head here. I think what I need is someone to help me understand what is, or might be going on. Any commentary that might fit that need is more than welcomed.
It's been 9 days since Gregory Rold died at the hands of 4 Salem Police Officers, who tased him and beat him with batons until he lost consciousness. Shortly after, he died at the Salem Hospital. The officers were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the state police.
Seems to me interviews should have taken place by now. The 4 officers, Gregory's mom, hospital staff, EMS, and other people who either saw or heard what happened. How long should that take? Am I just too impatient? Does anyone else see this as going too slowly? I've contacted the Chair of the Salem Human Rights Commision and the Attorney General's office. They are both aware of what the story is. Shouldn't they be able to move this investigation along?
Whatever the case may be, I have to wonder if this is moving so slowly because Gregory was black, there were 4 policemen involved, or they've since discovered Gregory was developmentally disabled. You can call me paranoid or a pain in the ass, this whole thing doesn't make sense to me.
It's been 9 days since Gregory Rold died at the hands of 4 Salem Police Officers, who tased him and beat him with batons until he lost consciousness. Shortly after, he died at the Salem Hospital. The officers were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the state police.
Seems to me interviews should have taken place by now. The 4 officers, Gregory's mom, hospital staff, EMS, and other people who either saw or heard what happened. How long should that take? Am I just too impatient? Does anyone else see this as going too slowly? I've contacted the Chair of the Salem Human Rights Commision and the Attorney General's office. They are both aware of what the story is. Shouldn't they be able to move this investigation along?
Whatever the case may be, I have to wonder if this is moving so slowly because Gregory was black, there were 4 policemen involved, or they've since discovered Gregory was developmentally disabled. You can call me paranoid or a pain in the ass, this whole thing doesn't make sense to me.
Tax The Wealthy
I'm liking what I'm seeing lately. Some folks are speaking out about how corporations and wealthy people in general are not paying their fair share of taxes here in Oregon. I've been thinking and writing about this for some time, myself. If Capitalism truly worked these days, our state and country would be in much better shape than it currently is. As the wealth divide continues to grow, so do the voices of the have-nots. Reminds me of "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times" if you catch my drift.
Here's a few quotes from folks at the Oregon Center For Public Policy...
"I’m talking about a change in the political climate in Oregon that would melt lawmakers’ reluctance to reform our corporate tax system — change that would fulfill Oregonians’ desire to see large corporations doing business here pay their fair share in taxes."
"The number of large profitable corporations paying the minimum tax (almost two out of three) is the miners’ canary of a broken tax system. More than 5,000 profitable corporations operating in Oregon paid no income taxes in 2006 beyond the $10 minimum, and 31 of those freeloaders had more than $1 million in Oregon taxable income." Chuck Sheketoff, their director
"For too long, Oregon has asked low- and middle-income families to sacrifice more than those who can most afford it. And when times get tough, some lawmakers propose a sales tax or a no-new-revenue, all-cuts budget, both of which are fundamentally regressive and hit low-income households hardest. That isn't right."
"What would happen if the Legislature chose to apply a 12 percent bracket to those making $250,000 or more? The bulk of the tax increase would apply to those in the top 1 percent of the income scale. To enter this rarified level, you must make in excess of $385,000 a year. For the average member of the group, the yearly income tops $1 million. For those members, the new 12 percent tax bracket means they would contribute about $16,530 more each year on average -- less than their average weekly paycheck." Joe Rodriguez, Ken Lewis and Mary Fellows, board members
Right on! (I say up it to 20%)Let's keep talking! Let's keep beating the drum! Let's fix this!
Here's a few quotes from folks at the Oregon Center For Public Policy...
"I’m talking about a change in the political climate in Oregon that would melt lawmakers’ reluctance to reform our corporate tax system — change that would fulfill Oregonians’ desire to see large corporations doing business here pay their fair share in taxes."
"The number of large profitable corporations paying the minimum tax (almost two out of three) is the miners’ canary of a broken tax system. More than 5,000 profitable corporations operating in Oregon paid no income taxes in 2006 beyond the $10 minimum, and 31 of those freeloaders had more than $1 million in Oregon taxable income." Chuck Sheketoff, their director
"For too long, Oregon has asked low- and middle-income families to sacrifice more than those who can most afford it. And when times get tough, some lawmakers propose a sales tax or a no-new-revenue, all-cuts budget, both of which are fundamentally regressive and hit low-income households hardest. That isn't right."
"What would happen if the Legislature chose to apply a 12 percent bracket to those making $250,000 or more? The bulk of the tax increase would apply to those in the top 1 percent of the income scale. To enter this rarified level, you must make in excess of $385,000 a year. For the average member of the group, the yearly income tops $1 million. For those members, the new 12 percent tax bracket means they would contribute about $16,530 more each year on average -- less than their average weekly paycheck." Joe Rodriguez, Ken Lewis and Mary Fellows, board members
Right on! (I say up it to 20%)Let's keep talking! Let's keep beating the drum! Let's fix this!
Friday, May 29, 2009
2nd Update on Gregory Rold
I'm getting fewer and fewer Google alerts about Gregory Rold and what happened to him in Salem last Saturday night. I have gotten 2 comments from 2 men who go by the last name of Mathews. This first one was written by Brent...
"there were more cops there then they said..and a dog too! what has the media have to really say about gregorys death?? most people there didnt even like the man..but one thing they dont know about that man is that..hes mental, and takes medicines..people hate the fact that he came back to the apartments they decided to call the law enforcement to come arrest him..
but was gregory really a bad man?? he was only visiting hes mother for the holiday...
to the salem police department i would pray for your souls...you all need jesus!!
soson.."
David Matthews wrote the following...
"I am deeply struck by this as Mr. Rold's aunt is my mother's neighbor, they are also good friends as well.
I visit my mom whenever I get the chance and one person that always stuck out to me everytime with his personality was Mr. Rold as he was never shy to yell across the street "How is your day going" or " How are you doing". A bit odd at times but nothing out of the ordinary for a man who is a skitsofrenick.
So when I heard this story and read the articles about it I needed to hear it from a person that was close to him or was there. What I came to learn was that indeed Greg was trespassing but that he was doing so to get a fresh pair of clothe changing. So in other words a man's life was taken over something so stupid.
I spoke to his mother who was present while all this happened she told me that he had wanted to stop by her apartment to get a changing of clothes and head back to his aunt's where he had been staying as he did not have a place of his own. Something that would have taken 20 minutes at most. Within those 20 minutes police officers arrived on a call of trespassing. Mr.Rold was forced to the ground and arrested.. By 4 police officers as you can see above. His mother then told me that while on the ground a police officer shot Greg with a taser and kept sending a series of electric shocks to him that lasted about 5 minutes. While he was completely man-handled, was not going any where, and was of ABSOLUTE NO THREAT.
For those that don't know the power of a taser; someone struck by a Taser experiences stimulation of his or her sensory nerves and motor nerves resulting in strong involuntary muscle contractions. In other words you go down within seconds of being hit by one... I did a little studying.
As she teared up she told me that her son's last words to her were "Mom, help. They are killing me". After that Greg was dragged outside where the officers realized that somehow he was unconcious after being shot with a taser for 5 minutes. You don't say?!?! How the heck does that happen? Morons. He later died at the hospital.
My question is why did four officers have to use a taser to subdue a man with no weapon???? Were they not all man enough to take a 5'9" 240 pound man down??"
That's all I got right now.
"there were more cops there then they said..and a dog too! what has the media have to really say about gregorys death?? most people there didnt even like the man..but one thing they dont know about that man is that..hes mental, and takes medicines..people hate the fact that he came back to the apartments they decided to call the law enforcement to come arrest him..
but was gregory really a bad man?? he was only visiting hes mother for the holiday...
to the salem police department i would pray for your souls...you all need jesus!!
soson.."
David Matthews wrote the following...
"I am deeply struck by this as Mr. Rold's aunt is my mother's neighbor, they are also good friends as well.
I visit my mom whenever I get the chance and one person that always stuck out to me everytime with his personality was Mr. Rold as he was never shy to yell across the street "How is your day going" or " How are you doing". A bit odd at times but nothing out of the ordinary for a man who is a skitsofrenick.
So when I heard this story and read the articles about it I needed to hear it from a person that was close to him or was there. What I came to learn was that indeed Greg was trespassing but that he was doing so to get a fresh pair of clothe changing. So in other words a man's life was taken over something so stupid.
I spoke to his mother who was present while all this happened she told me that he had wanted to stop by her apartment to get a changing of clothes and head back to his aunt's where he had been staying as he did not have a place of his own. Something that would have taken 20 minutes at most. Within those 20 minutes police officers arrived on a call of trespassing. Mr.Rold was forced to the ground and arrested.. By 4 police officers as you can see above. His mother then told me that while on the ground a police officer shot Greg with a taser and kept sending a series of electric shocks to him that lasted about 5 minutes. While he was completely man-handled, was not going any where, and was of ABSOLUTE NO THREAT.
For those that don't know the power of a taser; someone struck by a Taser experiences stimulation of his or her sensory nerves and motor nerves resulting in strong involuntary muscle contractions. In other words you go down within seconds of being hit by one... I did a little studying.
As she teared up she told me that her son's last words to her were "Mom, help. They are killing me". After that Greg was dragged outside where the officers realized that somehow he was unconcious after being shot with a taser for 5 minutes. You don't say?!?! How the heck does that happen? Morons. He later died at the hospital.
My question is why did four officers have to use a taser to subdue a man with no weapon???? Were they not all man enough to take a 5'9" 240 pound man down??"
That's all I got right now.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
American Blackout
Occasionally, I'll write about a film I've seen that inspires or effects me in a big way. I saw just such a film last night. It's called American Blackout, and it's a documentary about Cynthia McKinney's fight to bring about accountability for the way the 2000 and 2004 elections went. They were in fact, stolen.
I've been a fan of hers for the last 8+ years as I've watched her and listened to what she has to say. She is a truly brave woman. She essentially put her life as well as career on the line in her search for the truth. I thought she would have made a great president in 2008, but knew she didn't have a chance. I should have voted for her anyway.
If you want to see how one person's actions can cause the system to shake at its foundation, you've got to see American Blackout. I'm sure you'll come away from it as I did; inspired and determined to continue to work on what really matters. Truth and justice.
I've been a fan of hers for the last 8+ years as I've watched her and listened to what she has to say. She is a truly brave woman. She essentially put her life as well as career on the line in her search for the truth. I thought she would have made a great president in 2008, but knew she didn't have a chance. I should have voted for her anyway.
If you want to see how one person's actions can cause the system to shake at its foundation, you've got to see American Blackout. I'm sure you'll come away from it as I did; inspired and determined to continue to work on what really matters. Truth and justice.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Update on Gregory Rold Case
Man, it's been a lot of work piecing together what happened in the case of Gregory Rold, but it's an endeavor worth taking on. The Salem Statesman Journal has been helpful. Here's an update with some new information from their website...
Several residents of the Carriage Apartments criticized police Tuesday for using what they described as excessive force.
"He was a creep, but does that mean you get killed like a dog? They should have hogtied him, detained him and taken him away," Carita Mendez said.
Mendez lives in a first-floor unit at the Carriage Apartments, directly below the unit where Rold fought with police as his mother looked on. Neighbors said she screamed out the window, pleading for help and saying that police were killing her son.
Mendez said the violence left many residents traumatized.
"We've been crying, us girls have," she said. "It's too much for us. It's sad."
Liz Patterson, co-manager of the complex, described the altercation between Rold and police officers as a tragedy.
"It's a tragedy for the family. It's a tragedy for the police department. It's a tragedy for everybody involved," she said Tuesday.
Patterson said that Rold's mother, Felisa Rold, and his brother, Darius Ludwig, had been tenants at the Carriage Apartments since September. The family came to the United States from the Marshall Islands, she said.
Gregory Rold had served jail time for crimes ranging from assault to giving alcohol to juveniles, according to court records.
In 2004, he spent a week in jail when he was convicted of assaulting a public safety officer. In 2005, Rold was convicted of fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, and sentenced to five days in jail.
Rold was convicted in 2006 on a trespassing charge. He served 25 days in jail. Rold's most recent conviction was in October 2008, when he was convicted of furnishing liquor to a minor.
About two weeks ago, he was banned from the apartments.
"The action was taken because of inappropriate behavior and remarks to other tenants," Patterson said.
----------------------------------------
The fact that his family moved here from the Marshall Islands may explain part of the problem. Beside the cultural differences, there may have been language differences as well. The population of the Marshalls is largely Micronesian. Over 50% of the people are Protestants and there other Christian groups. Marshallese, a Malayo-Polynesian tongue, and English are the official languages; Japanese is also spoken. Of course this fails to explain why 10 of the 20 Taser related deaths so far this year in the US have been black men..., nor does it answer the question of whether or not he had a developmental disability, which would further complicate things.
I asked the Chairwoman of the Salem Human Rights Commission if she felt the Salem police have had satisfatory training on dealing with people who have developmental disabilities yesterday, but she didn't answer that question.
Several residents of the Carriage Apartments criticized police Tuesday for using what they described as excessive force.
"He was a creep, but does that mean you get killed like a dog? They should have hogtied him, detained him and taken him away," Carita Mendez said.
Mendez lives in a first-floor unit at the Carriage Apartments, directly below the unit where Rold fought with police as his mother looked on. Neighbors said she screamed out the window, pleading for help and saying that police were killing her son.
Mendez said the violence left many residents traumatized.
"We've been crying, us girls have," she said. "It's too much for us. It's sad."
Liz Patterson, co-manager of the complex, described the altercation between Rold and police officers as a tragedy.
"It's a tragedy for the family. It's a tragedy for the police department. It's a tragedy for everybody involved," she said Tuesday.
Patterson said that Rold's mother, Felisa Rold, and his brother, Darius Ludwig, had been tenants at the Carriage Apartments since September. The family came to the United States from the Marshall Islands, she said.
Gregory Rold had served jail time for crimes ranging from assault to giving alcohol to juveniles, according to court records.
In 2004, he spent a week in jail when he was convicted of assaulting a public safety officer. In 2005, Rold was convicted of fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor, and sentenced to five days in jail.
Rold was convicted in 2006 on a trespassing charge. He served 25 days in jail. Rold's most recent conviction was in October 2008, when he was convicted of furnishing liquor to a minor.
About two weeks ago, he was banned from the apartments.
"The action was taken because of inappropriate behavior and remarks to other tenants," Patterson said.
----------------------------------------
The fact that his family moved here from the Marshall Islands may explain part of the problem. Beside the cultural differences, there may have been language differences as well. The population of the Marshalls is largely Micronesian. Over 50% of the people are Protestants and there other Christian groups. Marshallese, a Malayo-Polynesian tongue, and English are the official languages; Japanese is also spoken. Of course this fails to explain why 10 of the 20 Taser related deaths so far this year in the US have been black men..., nor does it answer the question of whether or not he had a developmental disability, which would further complicate things.
I asked the Chairwoman of the Salem Human Rights Commission if she felt the Salem police have had satisfatory training on dealing with people who have developmental disabilities yesterday, but she didn't answer that question.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Why Isn't The Media Reporting On Gregory Rold's Death?
On the KOIN6 website they have a story on Gregory Rold, a black man in Salem who was Tased and beaten to death by 4 Salem police officers Saturday night. In the article they mention he did, in fact, have a developmental disability "with the mind of a toddler". My question is, why is so little media attention being paid to this case?
Maybe it's because he was viewed as yet another "throw away" person who deserved to die. I've read that view several times in comments about the story on the internet. Main stream media is working overtime trying to keep a lid on this story, so I'm giving it as much attention as possible.
If he had a developmental disability, why was he not receiving support? He was reported to have been peeking in people's windows, and making lewd comments to adult women and children in the apartment complex. Tht's why he wasn't allowed on the grounds. Anyone who understands developmental disability knows issues like these can be dealt with through good psycho-sexual counseling. Was this offered to him?
Another disturbing aspect to what happened, is that one neighbor was quoted as saying; "I heard him yelling out at first" said Shelietha Edwards, who lives in a nearby unit. "After that I didn't hear him yelling out at all. But I heard the Tasers going off. I heard the sticks still being used." Edwards says she's had problems with Rold, but "nobody deserves to die like that."
There needs to be a thorough investigation into this matter, not attempts to keep the story quiet. I was told he is the 20th person to die in the U.S. while being Tasered this year.
Maybe it's because he was viewed as yet another "throw away" person who deserved to die. I've read that view several times in comments about the story on the internet. Main stream media is working overtime trying to keep a lid on this story, so I'm giving it as much attention as possible.
If he had a developmental disability, why was he not receiving support? He was reported to have been peeking in people's windows, and making lewd comments to adult women and children in the apartment complex. Tht's why he wasn't allowed on the grounds. Anyone who understands developmental disability knows issues like these can be dealt with through good psycho-sexual counseling. Was this offered to him?
Another disturbing aspect to what happened, is that one neighbor was quoted as saying; "I heard him yelling out at first" said Shelietha Edwards, who lives in a nearby unit. "After that I didn't hear him yelling out at all. But I heard the Tasers going off. I heard the sticks still being used." Edwards says she's had problems with Rold, but "nobody deserves to die like that."
There needs to be a thorough investigation into this matter, not attempts to keep the story quiet. I was told he is the 20th person to die in the U.S. while being Tasered this year.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Not A Lot Of Info.
The Oregonian reports that the man tasered and beaten to death was 37 years old, and KPTV says he was 30. Looks like their trying to make him look like a bad dude now. From KPTV.com...
SALEM, Ore. -- A 30-year-old man died after a fight with police officers Saturday night, according to the Salem Police Department.
Police said they were called to an apartment on Royvonne Avenue to investigate a man trespassing at the home. Officers said they encountered Gregory Rold, who they said violently resisted police.
The officers used their Tasers and batons to eventually take him into custody, police said. While they were restraining and handcuffing Rold, officers noticed he was unconscious and unresponsive.
Police called for paramedics and rendered emergency medical aid until they arrived. Rold was taken to Salem Hospital, where he died at about 9:27 p.m.
Officer Jacob Pratt was injured during the fight and was treated at Silverton Hospital. He and the other three officers -- Eric Brown, Adam Waite and Darron Mumey -- have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated by Oregon State Police, per the police department's policy.
SALEM, Ore. -- A 30-year-old man died after a fight with police officers Saturday night, according to the Salem Police Department.
Police said they were called to an apartment on Royvonne Avenue to investigate a man trespassing at the home. Officers said they encountered Gregory Rold, who they said violently resisted police.
The officers used their Tasers and batons to eventually take him into custody, police said. While they were restraining and handcuffing Rold, officers noticed he was unconscious and unresponsive.
Police called for paramedics and rendered emergency medical aid until they arrived. Rold was taken to Salem Hospital, where he died at about 9:27 p.m.
Officer Jacob Pratt was injured during the fight and was treated at Silverton Hospital. He and the other three officers -- Eric Brown, Adam Waite and Darron Mumey -- have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated by Oregon State Police, per the police department's policy.
Hello...? Media...?
Why is there such a failure of local media in reporting about the man who was tasered and beat TO DEATH in Salem last night? I've been googling, checking the Statesman Journal, and finding nothing new.
Is it because he was Black? Is it because he had a developmental disability? Is it because there were 4 policemen involved? What's going on here?
I really do believe what my lying eyes saw on the KPTV news this morning. A female witness who said she couldn't believe they beat and tasered the man the way they had. Give us the story, damn it!
Is it because he was Black? Is it because he had a developmental disability? Is it because there were 4 policemen involved? What's going on here?
I really do believe what my lying eyes saw on the KPTV news this morning. A female witness who said she couldn't believe they beat and tasered the man the way they had. Give us the story, damn it!
Salem Police Taser Man To Death
Yesterday, a man who was trespassing at an apartment complex in South Salem was beaten and tasered to death by 4 Salem police officers. According to a witness, he was beaten and tased repeatedly. It's also been reported that this man had a developmental disability. There's not a lot of information out there yet, but as soon as there is I will update this posting. It's looking like there are a whole lot of unanwered questions that need answering!
From the Oregonian...
Salem man dies after police shoot him with a Taser
by Stephen Beaven, The Oregonian
Sunday May 24, 2009, 7:25 AM
A purported trespasser died Saturday night after he was shot with a Taser as Salem police officers tried to arrest him.
Gregory Rold, 37, died at Salem Hospital shortly before 9:30 p.m., police said today.
Officers were called to an apartment on Royvonne Avenue SE in Salem about 7:38 p.m. following a report of a man who was trespassing. They encountered Rold, who resisted arrest, prompting officers to shoot him with a Taser and beat him with their batons. After he was handcuffed, officers said Rold was unconscious.
Four officers were placed on administrative leave while Rold's death is being investigated.
From the Oregonian...
Salem man dies after police shoot him with a Taser
by Stephen Beaven, The Oregonian
Sunday May 24, 2009, 7:25 AM
A purported trespasser died Saturday night after he was shot with a Taser as Salem police officers tried to arrest him.
Gregory Rold, 37, died at Salem Hospital shortly before 9:30 p.m., police said today.
Officers were called to an apartment on Royvonne Avenue SE in Salem about 7:38 p.m. following a report of a man who was trespassing. They encountered Rold, who resisted arrest, prompting officers to shoot him with a Taser and beat him with their batons. After he was handcuffed, officers said Rold was unconscious.
Four officers were placed on administrative leave while Rold's death is being investigated.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Could It Be Eugenics?
I believe that when a concerted effort is made to separate people with the same disability it may come from a desire to prevent them from getting married and having children with the possible same disability. Get it? I'm talking about Eugenics. The act of attempting to get rid (die off) of "undesirable" people, who may water down the race. It's been going on for a long time in America, and I have to wonder if it's not a part of the plan to close the School for the Blind, as well as suspend the Oregon Commission for the Blind.
"Let's get these folks away from each other so they won't make disabled babies". Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?
"Let's get these folks away from each other so they won't make disabled babies". Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?
"He's Always So Angry"!
Ok; I admit it... I'm well beyond disappointed that they are going to close the Oregon School for the Blind, suspend the Oregon Commission for the Blind, and remove Vision Services from the Oregon Health Plan. I am PISSED OFF! What is to come for the people with visual impairments in Oregon??
In all the newspaper articles I've read over the past few weeks, they keep on mentioning "the advocates" who are behind this whole thing, without naming them. Why?
I'll tell you why. It's because the "advocates" don't want their actual names connected to this BLATANT discrimination. Once again they are demonstrating their absolute fear of anything and everything.
One person who I PUT on record of being in support of this foolishness is Bob Joondeph, Executive Director of Disability Rights Oregon. I'm quite certain Bob would have preffered his name not be associated with closing the school, but as I've written before, the school's been around for over 100 years, and it took a legislative bill for him to weigh in on how the school violates the IDEA and the Olmstead Decision. Why was he so silent about it until April, '09? Either he's ignorant or incompetant. He gets to choose.
In all the newspaper articles I've read over the past few weeks, they keep on mentioning "the advocates" who are behind this whole thing, without naming them. Why?
I'll tell you why. It's because the "advocates" don't want their actual names connected to this BLATANT discrimination. Once again they are demonstrating their absolute fear of anything and everything.
One person who I PUT on record of being in support of this foolishness is Bob Joondeph, Executive Director of Disability Rights Oregon. I'm quite certain Bob would have preffered his name not be associated with closing the school, but as I've written before, the school's been around for over 100 years, and it took a legislative bill for him to weigh in on how the school violates the IDEA and the Olmstead Decision. Why was he so silent about it until April, '09? Either he's ignorant or incompetant. He gets to choose.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
May I Never Go Blind in Oregon
It's not enough to just close the School For The Blind in Oregon. Now the Governor wants to suspend the Oregon Commission for the Blind because of the economic crisis. They also want to remove vision services from the Oregon Health Plan. What the hell is going on here?
Is the secret plan to discriminate so badly that a class action will be filed? By who? Disability Rights of Oregon has already weighed in on the closure of the school. Have they also jumped on board to see the Commission suspended?
What kind of services WILL BE LEFT for blind people in Oregon? Do any of these decision makers really believe they will ever be re-elected, or that we won't remember what they've done to people with disabilities in our state? As capitalism and self importance come crashing down on us, the pain is being shouldered by those with the least. I'm not so sure God will go along with that.
Is the secret plan to discriminate so badly that a class action will be filed? By who? Disability Rights of Oregon has already weighed in on the closure of the school. Have they also jumped on board to see the Commission suspended?
What kind of services WILL BE LEFT for blind people in Oregon? Do any of these decision makers really believe they will ever be re-elected, or that we won't remember what they've done to people with disabilities in our state? As capitalism and self importance come crashing down on us, the pain is being shouldered by those with the least. I'm not so sure God will go along with that.
Hard Economic Times Hit My Home
Everyone is feeling the crunch of the economic crisis in our country. My wife and I are not immune from the sting of trying to stay afloat these days. Some of what we’ve been forced to sacrifice has made life seem unbearable.
Last week is a good example. The bill for my Blackberry came in, and I was unable to pay it. I’ll have to return it soon, being stuck without a cell phone, and having to resort to using a land line. To tell you the truth, we can’t even afford our daily trips to Starbucks any more. Times are hard!
We haven’t been out for a meal in over two weeks. If that’s not unfair, what is? Basic cable? It’s on the horizon. Selling off one of our cars? It’s a real possibility. We’ve even started using Walmart’s knock-off conditioner! I’m not sure what we’ll have to do to survive, but please, say a prayer for us.
Last week is a good example. The bill for my Blackberry came in, and I was unable to pay it. I’ll have to return it soon, being stuck without a cell phone, and having to resort to using a land line. To tell you the truth, we can’t even afford our daily trips to Starbucks any more. Times are hard!
We haven’t been out for a meal in over two weeks. If that’s not unfair, what is? Basic cable? It’s on the horizon. Selling off one of our cars? It’s a real possibility. We’ve even started using Walmart’s knock-off conditioner! I’m not sure what we’ll have to do to survive, but please, say a prayer for us.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A Long Read Worth Reading
You have to wonder if the closure of the Oregon School For The Blind is on the up and up. Back in early April I began to read stories from the web about how the parents of these students were not included in the discussion(s) leading to the decision. I found myself wondering if this was possible, as the idea was being pushed by Representative Sara Gelser, who has a child with a disability, and should certainly know better than to do things without lots of input from these parents. On April 14th I contacted Jim Wrigley from Disability Rights Oregon to see what he knew...
Hi Jim,
I've heard there was little parental input on the idea of closing the School For The Blind. Is there truth to that? Also, I'm wondering what position DRO is taking on this?
I've also heard there are plans to shut down the office for the Long Term Care Ombudsman. Have you heard anything about that?
I'll look forward to hearing from you.
Thanx!
David
He got back to me the next day with what he called an answer to my question, which is testimony given by their Executive Director to the House Education Committee...
April 7, 2009
TO: Representative Sara Gelser, Chair
House Education Committee
FR: Bob Joondeph, Executive Director
Disability Rights Oregon (formerly Oregon Advocacy Center)
RE: HB 2834
Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is the designated Protection and Advocacy System for Oregon. We provide legal advocacy services to adults and children with disabilities in order to assist them in obtaining needed services and in protecting their legal and human rights.
Among the most critical sources of rights for individuals with disabilities are the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both of these laws emphasize the importance of freedom from undue restriction and the opportunity to for full integration and participation in the community.
In considering the merits of HB 2834, I believe that it is upmost importance for this committee to keep these values in mind. For your assistance, I have set out below some key provisions of the IDEA and excerpts from the U.S. Supreme Court case of L.C. v. Olmstead, a case in which the court interprets provisions of the ADA which prohibit unnecessary segregation.
IDEA
SEC. 612 states: 1a) IN GENERAL.--A State is eligible for assistance under this part for a fiscal year if the State submits a plan that provides assurances to the Secretary that the State has in effect policies and procedures to ensure that the State meets each of the following conditions:
“1 LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
(A) IN GENERAL.--To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities,
including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”
L.C. v. Olmstead
“Ultimately, in the ADA, enacted in 1990, Congress not only required all public entities to refrain from discrimination, additionally, in findings applicable to the entire statute, Congress explicitly identified unjustified "segregation" of persons with disabilities as a "for[m] of discrimination." See § 12101(a)(2) ("historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive social problem"); § 12101(a)(5) ("individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including ... segregation").
Recognition that unjustified institutional isolation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination reflects two evident judgments. First, institutional placement of persons who can handle and benefit from community settings perpetuates unwarranted assumptions that persons so isolated are incapable or unworthy of participating in community life.
Second, confinement in an institution severely diminishes the everyday life activities of individuals, including family relations, social contacts, work options, economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment. Dissimilar treatment correspondingly exists in this key respect: In order to receive needed medical services, persons with mental disabilities must, because of those disabilities, relinquish participation in community life they could enjoy given reasonable accommodations, while persons without mental disabilities can receive the medical services they need without similar sacrifice.”
Every child with disabilities deserves the opportunity to succeed in their community and not need to leave home in order to receive the services that are essential to that success. This is not only desirable as matters of principle and ethics, it is a qualified legal right.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this information.
Now this is interesting. The school has been around a lot longer than Disability Rights Oregon. Why did it take them until April 7th of this year to begin thinking about the rights of these students with disabilities? This looks to me like some kind of “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” scenario to me. Bob returning some kind of favor?
Then you have the stories of the modified diplomas in 4 Portland high schools. Sara was livid when she heard schools were using a loophole to issue these second-tier diplomas to students who may be less than easy to educate. Does she really believe the blind students will do well in Oregon’s public school system?...
Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian
Saturday May 09, 2009, 8:08 PM
Four Portland high schools used a loophole in Oregon law to inflate their graduation rates by issuing second-tier "modified" diplomas to one of every eight graduates in 2008, an analysis by The Oregonian shows.
Modified diplomas are intended for students with severe disabilities who can't pass regular academic classes even with extra support.
Students who earn them take mainly nonacademic classes in high school, aren't eligible for federal financial aid in college and aren't normally accepted into the military.
Until this year, however, the state had no guidelines governing modified diplomas; schools could issue them to whichever students they chose and could set the standards for the diploma as low as they wished.
The state didn't regulate the diplomas partly because they are so rare, said Jackie Burr, education specialist at the Oregon Department of Education. Statewide, high schools gave modified diplomas to fewer than 3 percent of graduates in each of the past five years.
But Marshall, Roosevelt, Madison and Jefferson high schools -- the Portland high schools with the highest poverty rates and highest dropout rates -- gave modified diplomas to an average of 12 percent of their graduates last spring. That was nearly five times the rate in the rest of the state.
Modified diplomas: Which metro schools issued the most
Modified diplomas are intended for students whose disabilities impede their ability to pass regular academic courses. Percentage of total diplomas issued last spring that were modified:
• Marshall High, Portland: 16 percent
• Madison High, Portland: 12 percent
• Roosevelt High, Portland: 11 percent
• Jefferson High, Portland: 11 percent
• Reynolds High: 10 percent
• Parkrose High: 8 percent
• Molalla High: 7 percent
• Sherwood High: 7 percent
• State average: 2.6 percent
Source: Oregon Department of Education
Reynolds High in east Portland, one of the state's biggest high schools, also awarded a disproportionate share of nonstandard diplomas, 10 percent.
House Education Chairwoman Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, decried the practice.
Schools need to hold every student to high academic standards and not use the modified diploma "as a back door to get out of having to help kids meet diploma standards," she said.
An advocate for students with disabilities and the mother of a special education student, Gelser wrote a 2007 law that aims to prevent schools from misusing modified diplomas to lower standards for students capable of earning a standard diploma. The new rules didn't cover the class of 2008, however, and start with students who enter high school this fall.
The new rules, she said, "really put schools on the hook to provide academic classes to every student all the way through school. The worst thing you can give to any kid is low expectations."
Normally, students who finish four years of high school but don't pass enough classes for a standard diploma are counted as dropouts under school accountability rules.
For example, if Marshall had played by those rules, its 2008 graduation rate -- listed officially at 58 percent -- would have been worse.
State-issued report cards on high schools and federal school ratings under No Child Left Behind both hinge in part on a school lowering its dropout rate.
Portland officials who know the most about the decisions to grant so many modified diplomas did not return phone calls Friday.
Andrea Porter, special education administrator for Portland high schools, acknowledged the district has done too little to monitor how many students are getting modified diplomas. Some students were inappropriately steered toward modified diplomas merely because they speak English as a second language -- a practice the district has now ended, she said.
She said Marshall, Madison, Roosevelt and Jefferson have a higher share of special education students than other high schools -- as high as 25 percent of their students. But Porter said most special education students should be helped through accommodations and support to earn standard diplomas.
"I can't speak to those decisions that were made" to award so many modified diplomas, Porter said. "We haven't had a system of monitoring those recommendations. ... In the future, we will have such a system in place."
Portland and other school districts are changing their practices because of Gelser's law.
Under the new rules, districts will be able to issue modified diplomas only to students with documented learning barriers that kept them from mastering grade-level academics for many years. A parent would have to sign off on the student opting for a modified diploma at least two years before the student finishes high school. And the student would need to earn 24 credits, including three in English and two each in math and science.
Profoundly disabled students who cannot meet those standards would receive an alternative certificate when they finish high school, not a diploma.
"There will have to be a lot of thought going into it and a lot of documentation to say why the student can't get the (standard) Oregon diploma," said the state Education Department's Burr.
Finally I ran into this story from the Catholic Sentinal which pretty much sums things up in my eyes...
Families Worry School for Blind Closure Looms
By Ed Langlois
For Brianna Holden-Dean, the mainstream was a sinkhole.
The 18-year-old Portland student, blind and hearing impaired from birth, was enrolled in Southridge High for two years. There, she went from having hopes for medical school to being stuck in a class with youths who have behavior problems. The bright girl missed out on key math and science. In one of her courses, she spent two semesters mostly washing tables used by peers.
Seeing her life’s dream slip, Brianna became depressed and, for the first time, pondered hurting herself.
Her family fought to have her transferred to the Oregon School for the Blind in Salem. They met resistance from Southridge officials, but endured. It turns out to have been worthwhile. After only five months in Salem, Brianna is back up to speed in math and will be taking classes at Chemeketa Community College to re-ignite her hope of becoming a pediatrician.
“All of this stuff about mainstreaming is stupid,” says Taryn Seidel-Hart, Brianna’s mother and a nurse practitioner.
Seidel-Hart, who attended the University of Portland and taught there for seven years, tried working with Southridge officials to get an aide for her daughter, large print books and software. She even offered to purchase a laptop for Brianna to use. The efforts flopped and because of school policy, the administrators could not discuss the School for the Blind as an option. Southridge teachers were frustrated that they lacked training and time to teach the girl in an appropriate way.
Stories like Brianna’s are plentiful in Oregon.
But now a bill to close the School for the Blind is advancing through the Oregon Legislature. Sponsors want to develop plans for the 31 students who live at the school, sending them to public schools and programs in their districts.
The House Education Committee passed House Bill 2834 last month. It’s now being considered by a Ways and Means subcommittee. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis.
Gelser says the bill is not meant to save money, but to free up funds that now serve a small number of students. The money, she says, will not only follow the 31 residents, but could be reapplied to help the 840 blind and visually impaired students enrolled in home district schools.
The residents, she says, will get services equivalent to what they now receive.
The state pays $140,000 per student per year to keep the Oregon School for the Blind open.
Gelser says it has become difficult to support a school that lost its accreditation and that has a substandard building.
The bill seems likely to pass both chambers of the Legislature by the end of May, unless something big happens.
Kathy O’Malley, who attends St. Rose of Lima Parish in Portland, has two children, both of whom have a progressive disease of the retina.
Kegan, O’Malley’s 23-year-old son, was never given the option of attending the Oregon School for the Blind while attending North Clackamas Schools. Now that O’Malley’s 17-year-old daughter Kelsey has been in Salem for several years, she feels that what was done to her son is “criminal.”
“School districts don’t want to lose out on the funding they receive for special education, OSB can’t advocate for students attending another public school and employees from regional programs want to stay employed,” O’Malley says.
In contrast to the fights she waged on behalf of her son, O’Malley has been able to watch in delight as Kelsey has made “drastic progress,” with specialized services, equipment and trained staff.
“I speak from experience that the local schools do not equip these kids for the future,” O’Malley says. “Mainstreaming works for a lot of kids with disabilities but hearing-impaired or vision-impaired kids are better off being in their own environment.”
Rebecca Bergan, 20, was hit by a car 15 years ago. Her vision ebbs and flows and orientation is dicey.
The Bergans, members of St. Cecilia Parish in Beaverton, tried hard to find appropriate services for Rebecca in their town. That failed.
One day at Beaverton High, staff lost track of Rebecca for an hour as she tried to find her way back from a restroom.
Ernie Bergan, Rebecca’s father, says teachers in mainstream schools lack the time and training to care for students like his daughter. At the School for the Blind, Rebecca’s progress has been “phenomenal,” he says.
“It would be like trying to abolish hospitals and put patients into care in their homes,” Ernie Bergan says of the bill to close the School for the Blind. “Some needs cannot be met at the local level.”
Closing the School For The Blind is looking more political than practical. Sara, Bob, and the rest of the “advocates” in favor of this move seem to care more about themselves than these blind students or their families.
Hi Jim,
I've heard there was little parental input on the idea of closing the School For The Blind. Is there truth to that? Also, I'm wondering what position DRO is taking on this?
I've also heard there are plans to shut down the office for the Long Term Care Ombudsman. Have you heard anything about that?
I'll look forward to hearing from you.
Thanx!
David
He got back to me the next day with what he called an answer to my question, which is testimony given by their Executive Director to the House Education Committee...
April 7, 2009
TO: Representative Sara Gelser, Chair
House Education Committee
FR: Bob Joondeph, Executive Director
Disability Rights Oregon (formerly Oregon Advocacy Center)
RE: HB 2834
Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is the designated Protection and Advocacy System for Oregon. We provide legal advocacy services to adults and children with disabilities in order to assist them in obtaining needed services and in protecting their legal and human rights.
Among the most critical sources of rights for individuals with disabilities are the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both of these laws emphasize the importance of freedom from undue restriction and the opportunity to for full integration and participation in the community.
In considering the merits of HB 2834, I believe that it is upmost importance for this committee to keep these values in mind. For your assistance, I have set out below some key provisions of the IDEA and excerpts from the U.S. Supreme Court case of L.C. v. Olmstead, a case in which the court interprets provisions of the ADA which prohibit unnecessary segregation.
IDEA
SEC. 612 states: 1a) IN GENERAL.--A State is eligible for assistance under this part for a fiscal year if the State submits a plan that provides assurances to the Secretary that the State has in effect policies and procedures to ensure that the State meets each of the following conditions:
“1 LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
(A) IN GENERAL.--To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities,
including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”
L.C. v. Olmstead
“Ultimately, in the ADA, enacted in 1990, Congress not only required all public entities to refrain from discrimination, additionally, in findings applicable to the entire statute, Congress explicitly identified unjustified "segregation" of persons with disabilities as a "for[m] of discrimination." See § 12101(a)(2) ("historically, society has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive social problem"); § 12101(a)(5) ("individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including ... segregation").
Recognition that unjustified institutional isolation of persons with disabilities is a form of discrimination reflects two evident judgments. First, institutional placement of persons who can handle and benefit from community settings perpetuates unwarranted assumptions that persons so isolated are incapable or unworthy of participating in community life.
Second, confinement in an institution severely diminishes the everyday life activities of individuals, including family relations, social contacts, work options, economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment. Dissimilar treatment correspondingly exists in this key respect: In order to receive needed medical services, persons with mental disabilities must, because of those disabilities, relinquish participation in community life they could enjoy given reasonable accommodations, while persons without mental disabilities can receive the medical services they need without similar sacrifice.”
Every child with disabilities deserves the opportunity to succeed in their community and not need to leave home in order to receive the services that are essential to that success. This is not only desirable as matters of principle and ethics, it is a qualified legal right.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this information.
Now this is interesting. The school has been around a lot longer than Disability Rights Oregon. Why did it take them until April 7th of this year to begin thinking about the rights of these students with disabilities? This looks to me like some kind of “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” scenario to me. Bob returning some kind of favor?
Then you have the stories of the modified diplomas in 4 Portland high schools. Sara was livid when she heard schools were using a loophole to issue these second-tier diplomas to students who may be less than easy to educate. Does she really believe the blind students will do well in Oregon’s public school system?...
Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian
Saturday May 09, 2009, 8:08 PM
Four Portland high schools used a loophole in Oregon law to inflate their graduation rates by issuing second-tier "modified" diplomas to one of every eight graduates in 2008, an analysis by The Oregonian shows.
Modified diplomas are intended for students with severe disabilities who can't pass regular academic classes even with extra support.
Students who earn them take mainly nonacademic classes in high school, aren't eligible for federal financial aid in college and aren't normally accepted into the military.
Until this year, however, the state had no guidelines governing modified diplomas; schools could issue them to whichever students they chose and could set the standards for the diploma as low as they wished.
The state didn't regulate the diplomas partly because they are so rare, said Jackie Burr, education specialist at the Oregon Department of Education. Statewide, high schools gave modified diplomas to fewer than 3 percent of graduates in each of the past five years.
But Marshall, Roosevelt, Madison and Jefferson high schools -- the Portland high schools with the highest poverty rates and highest dropout rates -- gave modified diplomas to an average of 12 percent of their graduates last spring. That was nearly five times the rate in the rest of the state.
Modified diplomas: Which metro schools issued the most
Modified diplomas are intended for students whose disabilities impede their ability to pass regular academic courses. Percentage of total diplomas issued last spring that were modified:
• Marshall High, Portland: 16 percent
• Madison High, Portland: 12 percent
• Roosevelt High, Portland: 11 percent
• Jefferson High, Portland: 11 percent
• Reynolds High: 10 percent
• Parkrose High: 8 percent
• Molalla High: 7 percent
• Sherwood High: 7 percent
• State average: 2.6 percent
Source: Oregon Department of Education
Reynolds High in east Portland, one of the state's biggest high schools, also awarded a disproportionate share of nonstandard diplomas, 10 percent.
House Education Chairwoman Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, decried the practice.
Schools need to hold every student to high academic standards and not use the modified diploma "as a back door to get out of having to help kids meet diploma standards," she said.
An advocate for students with disabilities and the mother of a special education student, Gelser wrote a 2007 law that aims to prevent schools from misusing modified diplomas to lower standards for students capable of earning a standard diploma. The new rules didn't cover the class of 2008, however, and start with students who enter high school this fall.
The new rules, she said, "really put schools on the hook to provide academic classes to every student all the way through school. The worst thing you can give to any kid is low expectations."
Normally, students who finish four years of high school but don't pass enough classes for a standard diploma are counted as dropouts under school accountability rules.
For example, if Marshall had played by those rules, its 2008 graduation rate -- listed officially at 58 percent -- would have been worse.
State-issued report cards on high schools and federal school ratings under No Child Left Behind both hinge in part on a school lowering its dropout rate.
Portland officials who know the most about the decisions to grant so many modified diplomas did not return phone calls Friday.
Andrea Porter, special education administrator for Portland high schools, acknowledged the district has done too little to monitor how many students are getting modified diplomas. Some students were inappropriately steered toward modified diplomas merely because they speak English as a second language -- a practice the district has now ended, she said.
She said Marshall, Madison, Roosevelt and Jefferson have a higher share of special education students than other high schools -- as high as 25 percent of their students. But Porter said most special education students should be helped through accommodations and support to earn standard diplomas.
"I can't speak to those decisions that were made" to award so many modified diplomas, Porter said. "We haven't had a system of monitoring those recommendations. ... In the future, we will have such a system in place."
Portland and other school districts are changing their practices because of Gelser's law.
Under the new rules, districts will be able to issue modified diplomas only to students with documented learning barriers that kept them from mastering grade-level academics for many years. A parent would have to sign off on the student opting for a modified diploma at least two years before the student finishes high school. And the student would need to earn 24 credits, including three in English and two each in math and science.
Profoundly disabled students who cannot meet those standards would receive an alternative certificate when they finish high school, not a diploma.
"There will have to be a lot of thought going into it and a lot of documentation to say why the student can't get the (standard) Oregon diploma," said the state Education Department's Burr.
Finally I ran into this story from the Catholic Sentinal which pretty much sums things up in my eyes...
Families Worry School for Blind Closure Looms
By Ed Langlois
For Brianna Holden-Dean, the mainstream was a sinkhole.
The 18-year-old Portland student, blind and hearing impaired from birth, was enrolled in Southridge High for two years. There, she went from having hopes for medical school to being stuck in a class with youths who have behavior problems. The bright girl missed out on key math and science. In one of her courses, she spent two semesters mostly washing tables used by peers.
Seeing her life’s dream slip, Brianna became depressed and, for the first time, pondered hurting herself.
Her family fought to have her transferred to the Oregon School for the Blind in Salem. They met resistance from Southridge officials, but endured. It turns out to have been worthwhile. After only five months in Salem, Brianna is back up to speed in math and will be taking classes at Chemeketa Community College to re-ignite her hope of becoming a pediatrician.
“All of this stuff about mainstreaming is stupid,” says Taryn Seidel-Hart, Brianna’s mother and a nurse practitioner.
Seidel-Hart, who attended the University of Portland and taught there for seven years, tried working with Southridge officials to get an aide for her daughter, large print books and software. She even offered to purchase a laptop for Brianna to use. The efforts flopped and because of school policy, the administrators could not discuss the School for the Blind as an option. Southridge teachers were frustrated that they lacked training and time to teach the girl in an appropriate way.
Stories like Brianna’s are plentiful in Oregon.
But now a bill to close the School for the Blind is advancing through the Oregon Legislature. Sponsors want to develop plans for the 31 students who live at the school, sending them to public schools and programs in their districts.
The House Education Committee passed House Bill 2834 last month. It’s now being considered by a Ways and Means subcommittee. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis.
Gelser says the bill is not meant to save money, but to free up funds that now serve a small number of students. The money, she says, will not only follow the 31 residents, but could be reapplied to help the 840 blind and visually impaired students enrolled in home district schools.
The residents, she says, will get services equivalent to what they now receive.
The state pays $140,000 per student per year to keep the Oregon School for the Blind open.
Gelser says it has become difficult to support a school that lost its accreditation and that has a substandard building.
The bill seems likely to pass both chambers of the Legislature by the end of May, unless something big happens.
Kathy O’Malley, who attends St. Rose of Lima Parish in Portland, has two children, both of whom have a progressive disease of the retina.
Kegan, O’Malley’s 23-year-old son, was never given the option of attending the Oregon School for the Blind while attending North Clackamas Schools. Now that O’Malley’s 17-year-old daughter Kelsey has been in Salem for several years, she feels that what was done to her son is “criminal.”
“School districts don’t want to lose out on the funding they receive for special education, OSB can’t advocate for students attending another public school and employees from regional programs want to stay employed,” O’Malley says.
In contrast to the fights she waged on behalf of her son, O’Malley has been able to watch in delight as Kelsey has made “drastic progress,” with specialized services, equipment and trained staff.
“I speak from experience that the local schools do not equip these kids for the future,” O’Malley says. “Mainstreaming works for a lot of kids with disabilities but hearing-impaired or vision-impaired kids are better off being in their own environment.”
Rebecca Bergan, 20, was hit by a car 15 years ago. Her vision ebbs and flows and orientation is dicey.
The Bergans, members of St. Cecilia Parish in Beaverton, tried hard to find appropriate services for Rebecca in their town. That failed.
One day at Beaverton High, staff lost track of Rebecca for an hour as she tried to find her way back from a restroom.
Ernie Bergan, Rebecca’s father, says teachers in mainstream schools lack the time and training to care for students like his daughter. At the School for the Blind, Rebecca’s progress has been “phenomenal,” he says.
“It would be like trying to abolish hospitals and put patients into care in their homes,” Ernie Bergan says of the bill to close the School for the Blind. “Some needs cannot be met at the local level.”
Closing the School For The Blind is looking more political than practical. Sara, Bob, and the rest of the “advocates” in favor of this move seem to care more about themselves than these blind students or their families.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
State of the Union May 2009
We are now involved in a serious revolution. This nation is still a place of cheap political leaders who build their careers on immoral compromises and ally themselves with open forms of political, economic and social exploitation. What political leader here can stand up and say, "My party is the party of principles?" The party of Kennedy is also the party of Eastland. The party of Javits is also the party of Goldwater. Where is our party?
The revolution is at hand, and we must free ourselves of the chains of political and economic slavery. The nonviolent revolution is saying, "We will not wait for the courts to act, for we have been waiting for hundreds of years. We will not wait for the President, the Justice Department, nor Congress, but we will take matters into our own hands and create a source of power, outside of any national structure, that could and would assure us a victory."
To those who have said, "Be patient and wait," we must say that "patience" is a dirty and nasty word. We cannot be patient, we do not want to be free gradually. We want our freedom, and we want it now. We cannot depend on any political party, for both the Democrats and the Republicans have betrayed the basic principles of the Declaration of Independence.
We all recognize the fact that if any radical social, political and economic changes are to take place in our society, the people, the masses, must bring them about. In the struggle, we must seek more than civil rights; we must work for the community of love, peace and true brotherhood. Our minds, souls and hearts cannot rest until freedom and justice exist for all people.
We must say, "Wake up, America. Wake up!!! For we cannot stop, and we will not be patient."
A Young John Lewis...1963
The revolution is at hand, and we must free ourselves of the chains of political and economic slavery. The nonviolent revolution is saying, "We will not wait for the courts to act, for we have been waiting for hundreds of years. We will not wait for the President, the Justice Department, nor Congress, but we will take matters into our own hands and create a source of power, outside of any national structure, that could and would assure us a victory."
To those who have said, "Be patient and wait," we must say that "patience" is a dirty and nasty word. We cannot be patient, we do not want to be free gradually. We want our freedom, and we want it now. We cannot depend on any political party, for both the Democrats and the Republicans have betrayed the basic principles of the Declaration of Independence.
We all recognize the fact that if any radical social, political and economic changes are to take place in our society, the people, the masses, must bring them about. In the struggle, we must seek more than civil rights; we must work for the community of love, peace and true brotherhood. Our minds, souls and hearts cannot rest until freedom and justice exist for all people.
We must say, "Wake up, America. Wake up!!! For we cannot stop, and we will not be patient."
A Young John Lewis...1963
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Productivity, Integration, and Independence
I've been combing through the new rules around services to developmentally disabled adults living in the community. Beside the fact that these rules often contradict each other, making unterpretation almost impossible, there is a subtle message that the desired outcome is these folks should no longer act like they have a developmental disability. I find this disturbing.
DHS wants these folks to be productive, integrated, and independent citizens. That's what they seem to be saying. However; if that were truly the case, Vocational Rehabilitation would be taking on new customers to help them find employment. There's your productivity. Section 8 would also be taking on new customers to assist in finding them housing in the community. There's your integration and independence.
I don't think DHS cares about much beyond "image" (see yesterday's posts). Neither of these programs are doing anything to help people with developmental disabilities in Oregon. Instead, they write rules requiring Independent Contractors (such as myself), and Provider Organizations to assist in meeting these goals. They've even combined Community Living Support with Community Inclusion Support, which is like saying apples and oranges are now known as apanges. I guess we'll have to see how this all plays out (or fight it).
DHS wants these folks to be productive, integrated, and independent citizens. That's what they seem to be saying. However; if that were truly the case, Vocational Rehabilitation would be taking on new customers to help them find employment. There's your productivity. Section 8 would also be taking on new customers to assist in finding them housing in the community. There's your integration and independence.
I don't think DHS cares about much beyond "image" (see yesterday's posts). Neither of these programs are doing anything to help people with developmental disabilities in Oregon. Instead, they write rules requiring Independent Contractors (such as myself), and Provider Organizations to assist in meeting these goals. They've even combined Community Living Support with Community Inclusion Support, which is like saying apples and oranges are now known as apanges. I guess we'll have to see how this all plays out (or fight it).
Monday, May 11, 2009
Conflicting Reports
I just finished writing a post about the need for system reform in the world of developmental disabilities, when I came across Bruce Goldberg's boastful message to DHS employees from Friday. So... which is it? Is the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin just making this stuff up? Or is Bruce Goldberg living in a fantasy land where one simply closes their eyes and whispers; "It's only a movie" as the real world crumbles around them? Here's his message...
May 8, 2009 DHS Director's messages on the web
To: All DHS employees
From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director
A week to be proud of
"I'm glad that I'm here in order to help the people of Oregon and keep people safe."
~Laura Tsaknaridis, a microbiologist for the Oregon Public Health Division, on KATU news.
We have a lot to be proud of at the Department of Human Services this week. Our Public Health Division responded well to the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak and I want to again commend the staff there for their great work. They worked closely with local health departments, school districts and universities on how to respond to cases in their communities and also get the word out to the public about how to protect themselves and others. They also laid the ground work for how we prepare if there is a more serious outbreak of this new strain of influenza next fall. For updated information now and through next flu season, you can go to www.flu.oregon.gov. And to see the TV news story about how the Public Health Division rose to the challenge, click here. Also this week we presented our regularly scheduled rebalance to the Joint Ways and Means Human Services Sub-committee. In spite of record-breaking caseload increases driven by the economic downturn, DHS has been able to manage within our budget and we will not need additional revenue beyond our budget to get through our 2007-2009 budget. This is an impressive accomplishment and one that was praised by lawmakers.
"I'd like to say congratulations for getting us here," said Sen. Alan Bates. "This could have been a real disaster. In December and January we were worried where we'd be in the last two months here. The fact you've basically zeroed out is a real plus for us. I appreciate the hard work you've done ..."
One key reason we were able to meet our budget is that last fall we planned for the anticipated caseload increases, which have grown more than 27 percent over last year for cash assistance and nearly 24 percent for food stamps. Our strategies on meeting the needs and reducing costs have been successful.
"It is absolutely a pleasure now to get forecast information you can really depend on," said Sen. Jackie Winters.
Of course, the biggest factor has been all of your hard work. Your efforts in meeting the dramatic increase in need without additional resourses has been critical.
"I'd just like to thank the leadership of the department at all levels and also the line staff, who have been really carrying the brunt of providing some very important services to all Oregonians," said Rep. Tina Kotek.
Lawmakers also recognized that we will need additional help in the coming biennium. With Oregon's unemployment rate at more than 12 percent, our forecasts show a continued need for safety net services. We predict a 24 percent increase in cash assistance need, a 30 percent increase in food stamp need and a 23 percent increased demand in the Oregon Health Plan.
One message that came through loudly and clearly from constituents during lawmakers' recent statewide budget tour is that Oregonians understand how critical human services are to their families and communities.
A Portland man testified in front of the panel last week about how addictions treatment taught him how to control his anger and take better care of his children.
"Most of all, it showed me I had a soul, I was human, and I was worth saving," he said.
Now as the budget writers sit down to allocate the scarce resources for the 2009-2011 budget, one thing I know lawmakers understand better than ever before is how important our work is to his family and to all Oregonians...and that we are doing that work well.
May 8, 2009 DHS Director's messages on the web
To: All DHS employees
From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director
A week to be proud of
"I'm glad that I'm here in order to help the people of Oregon and keep people safe."
~Laura Tsaknaridis, a microbiologist for the Oregon Public Health Division, on KATU news.
We have a lot to be proud of at the Department of Human Services this week. Our Public Health Division responded well to the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak and I want to again commend the staff there for their great work. They worked closely with local health departments, school districts and universities on how to respond to cases in their communities and also get the word out to the public about how to protect themselves and others. They also laid the ground work for how we prepare if there is a more serious outbreak of this new strain of influenza next fall. For updated information now and through next flu season, you can go to www.flu.oregon.gov. And to see the TV news story about how the Public Health Division rose to the challenge, click here. Also this week we presented our regularly scheduled rebalance to the Joint Ways and Means Human Services Sub-committee. In spite of record-breaking caseload increases driven by the economic downturn, DHS has been able to manage within our budget and we will not need additional revenue beyond our budget to get through our 2007-2009 budget. This is an impressive accomplishment and one that was praised by lawmakers.
"I'd like to say congratulations for getting us here," said Sen. Alan Bates. "This could have been a real disaster. In December and January we were worried where we'd be in the last two months here. The fact you've basically zeroed out is a real plus for us. I appreciate the hard work you've done ..."
One key reason we were able to meet our budget is that last fall we planned for the anticipated caseload increases, which have grown more than 27 percent over last year for cash assistance and nearly 24 percent for food stamps. Our strategies on meeting the needs and reducing costs have been successful.
"It is absolutely a pleasure now to get forecast information you can really depend on," said Sen. Jackie Winters.
Of course, the biggest factor has been all of your hard work. Your efforts in meeting the dramatic increase in need without additional resourses has been critical.
"I'd just like to thank the leadership of the department at all levels and also the line staff, who have been really carrying the brunt of providing some very important services to all Oregonians," said Rep. Tina Kotek.
Lawmakers also recognized that we will need additional help in the coming biennium. With Oregon's unemployment rate at more than 12 percent, our forecasts show a continued need for safety net services. We predict a 24 percent increase in cash assistance need, a 30 percent increase in food stamp need and a 23 percent increased demand in the Oregon Health Plan.
One message that came through loudly and clearly from constituents during lawmakers' recent statewide budget tour is that Oregonians understand how critical human services are to their families and communities.
A Portland man testified in front of the panel last week about how addictions treatment taught him how to control his anger and take better care of his children.
"Most of all, it showed me I had a soul, I was human, and I was worth saving," he said.
Now as the budget writers sit down to allocate the scarce resources for the 2009-2011 budget, one thing I know lawmakers understand better than ever before is how important our work is to his family and to all Oregonians...and that we are doing that work well.
System Reform 101
The state of Oregon's developmental disabilities system is crying out for reform. 36 counties doing things 36 different ways. 5 county programs being taken over by the state. In Umatilla County they recently found the county’s program suffered from a backlog of protective-service investigations, sporadic file documentation and a shaky handle on crisis intervention.
Who's suffering because of this dysfunction? It's not the administrators, politicians, or DHS. It's people with developmental disabilities. And if this mess isn't straightened out soon, those with silent voices will be to blame. From the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin...
Developmental-disabilities program control shifts
Umatilla County commissioners recently relinquished control of the program
By SHEILA HAGAR of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Umatilla County residents with developmental disabilities are seeing services delivered differently than in the past, officials say.
Last month, county commissioners voluntarily relinquished control of the Umatilla County Community Developmental Disabilities Program, said Connie Caplinger, director of Umatilla’s Department of Human Services.
An in-depth, on-the-ground visit by state officials brought to light numerous problems for developmentally-disabled clients and their families, she said.
Statewide standardization of developmental-disability programs has never been established, Caplinger said. “Each county interpreted Oregon’s administrative rules differently. This year Oregon did site reviews and they discovered 36 counties doing it 36 different ways.”
In October, 11 state reviewers arrived to look over documents, talk to clients, family members and case managers in a site review.
“We didn’t come out very well,” Caplinger noted.
The county’s program suffered from a backlog of protective-service investigations, sporadic file documentation and a shaky handle on crisis intervention. Investigators also talked to parents of service consumers and “some of them had issues with how we did things,” she said.
“All of those things were taken into consideration. The state felt we had real communication problems and (they) were worried about the health and safety of clients,” which number about 300, ranging from those requiring 24-hour supervision to others using just a little help from the program.
Given all that and adding in tighter federal funding, county officials decided against trying to retool the program. “When the state starts using terms like ‘loss of confidence,’ the commissioners decided to relinquish,” Caplinger said.
The loss of control of the program does not affect the county’s budget, she added. As well, county staff working in the program became state employees in what was renamed the Community Developmental Disabilities Program for Umatilla County.
The goal was to make a seamless transition, said Mary Lee Fay, state administrator of Seniors and People with Disabilities Division.
In looking at the most serious issues Umatilla County had and possible solutions, “it made the most sense the state should manage these programs,” Fay said. “We had been discussing problems for over a year and half ... we had been trying to work through those.”
Umatilla County is the fifth county for which state officials took over, “all for different reasons,” she said. “And in those other situations we contracted with a contractor, but for Umatilla we really had to some work to improve services. We knew this would happen to us some day with some county.”
Lawmakers in Oregon recently passed a bill allowing the state to run a county developmental-disability program for the long term, Fay said, adding that Oregon has 18,000 people enrolled in case management for developmental disabilities services.
Part of the new work will be creating an environment of openness to the community and to help the public know how to apply for services, she said. In addition, training in case management and family support has been brought into the Pendleton office.
The former county employees have “embraced” the measures, Fay said. “I think they have a lot to contribute, I think they feel it is a fresh start for everyone.”
In conversations with Umatilla County commissioners, commitments from the state were made, she added. “We promised that just because this is a state staff, we really feel it is a local program. And we asked to have a standing quarterly meeting with the commissioners to give updates so they can give answers to people in the county.”
Who's suffering because of this dysfunction? It's not the administrators, politicians, or DHS. It's people with developmental disabilities. And if this mess isn't straightened out soon, those with silent voices will be to blame. From the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin...
Developmental-disabilities program control shifts
Umatilla County commissioners recently relinquished control of the program
By SHEILA HAGAR of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Umatilla County residents with developmental disabilities are seeing services delivered differently than in the past, officials say.
Last month, county commissioners voluntarily relinquished control of the Umatilla County Community Developmental Disabilities Program, said Connie Caplinger, director of Umatilla’s Department of Human Services.
An in-depth, on-the-ground visit by state officials brought to light numerous problems for developmentally-disabled clients and their families, she said.
Statewide standardization of developmental-disability programs has never been established, Caplinger said. “Each county interpreted Oregon’s administrative rules differently. This year Oregon did site reviews and they discovered 36 counties doing it 36 different ways.”
In October, 11 state reviewers arrived to look over documents, talk to clients, family members and case managers in a site review.
“We didn’t come out very well,” Caplinger noted.
The county’s program suffered from a backlog of protective-service investigations, sporadic file documentation and a shaky handle on crisis intervention. Investigators also talked to parents of service consumers and “some of them had issues with how we did things,” she said.
“All of those things were taken into consideration. The state felt we had real communication problems and (they) were worried about the health and safety of clients,” which number about 300, ranging from those requiring 24-hour supervision to others using just a little help from the program.
Given all that and adding in tighter federal funding, county officials decided against trying to retool the program. “When the state starts using terms like ‘loss of confidence,’ the commissioners decided to relinquish,” Caplinger said.
The loss of control of the program does not affect the county’s budget, she added. As well, county staff working in the program became state employees in what was renamed the Community Developmental Disabilities Program for Umatilla County.
The goal was to make a seamless transition, said Mary Lee Fay, state administrator of Seniors and People with Disabilities Division.
In looking at the most serious issues Umatilla County had and possible solutions, “it made the most sense the state should manage these programs,” Fay said. “We had been discussing problems for over a year and half ... we had been trying to work through those.”
Umatilla County is the fifth county for which state officials took over, “all for different reasons,” she said. “And in those other situations we contracted with a contractor, but for Umatilla we really had to some work to improve services. We knew this would happen to us some day with some county.”
Lawmakers in Oregon recently passed a bill allowing the state to run a county developmental-disability program for the long term, Fay said, adding that Oregon has 18,000 people enrolled in case management for developmental disabilities services.
Part of the new work will be creating an environment of openness to the community and to help the public know how to apply for services, she said. In addition, training in case management and family support has been brought into the Pendleton office.
The former county employees have “embraced” the measures, Fay said. “I think they have a lot to contribute, I think they feel it is a fresh start for everyone.”
In conversations with Umatilla County commissioners, commitments from the state were made, she added. “We promised that just because this is a state staff, we really feel it is a local program. And we asked to have a standing quarterly meeting with the commissioners to give updates so they can give answers to people in the county.”
Friday, May 08, 2009
Here We Go Again...
Yesterday I received the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities 2008 Annual Report. Suzanne and I went over it together in the evening. She pointed out that if you look carefully at the photo on page 3, you can see me in the background at the community forum in Salem from back in December of 07 dealing with abuse and neglect. I'm the only one with my hand raised; probably asking about accountability.
I decided this morning that I want to do a DAWG Oregon 2008 Annual Report, updating my readers of what DAWG has been up to. Here it is...
* Placed my disability related blog on Leftyblogs Oregon in an attempt to educate the public on disability issues.
* Set up a working group of citizens to figure out what to do around abuse and neglect issues in the lives of developmentally disabled adults.
* Participated in a legislative abuse/neglect group in Salem; putting together legislation around prosecuting abusers and a registry to identify them.
* Suggested to anyone who would listen that Healthcare Representatives should be put in place for non verbal people BEFORE they have a medical crisis. So far that's gone no where.
* Suggested to any one who would listen that protocals should be in place for people who ride Trimet Lift in the summer around heat. So far that's gone no where.
* Became an Independent Contractor for people receiving Medicaid dollars relating to their developmental disability.
* Set up a focus group to deal with abuse and neglect issues.
* Participated in the Portland Police Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee until one of the people responsible for my friend's death began showing up.
* Testified before the Multnomah County Board twice around corruption in their developmental disabilities office.
* Participated in the Coalition Against Hate Crimes in Portland until I realized their leadership doesn't care about people with developmental disabilities.
2008 was indeed a mixed bag of successes and failures for DAWG Oregon, But at least I'm honest about it.
I decided this morning that I want to do a DAWG Oregon 2008 Annual Report, updating my readers of what DAWG has been up to. Here it is...
* Placed my disability related blog on Leftyblogs Oregon in an attempt to educate the public on disability issues.
* Set up a working group of citizens to figure out what to do around abuse and neglect issues in the lives of developmentally disabled adults.
* Participated in a legislative abuse/neglect group in Salem; putting together legislation around prosecuting abusers and a registry to identify them.
* Suggested to anyone who would listen that Healthcare Representatives should be put in place for non verbal people BEFORE they have a medical crisis. So far that's gone no where.
* Suggested to any one who would listen that protocals should be in place for people who ride Trimet Lift in the summer around heat. So far that's gone no where.
* Became an Independent Contractor for people receiving Medicaid dollars relating to their developmental disability.
* Set up a focus group to deal with abuse and neglect issues.
* Participated in the Portland Police Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee until one of the people responsible for my friend's death began showing up.
* Testified before the Multnomah County Board twice around corruption in their developmental disabilities office.
* Participated in the Coalition Against Hate Crimes in Portland until I realized their leadership doesn't care about people with developmental disabilities.
2008 was indeed a mixed bag of successes and failures for DAWG Oregon, But at least I'm honest about it.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
"Watch (photograph), Listen (record), Report"
It’s time to reopen the can of worms around the vulnerability of people with profound developmental disabilities. Readers of this blog have probably noticed the story from a 2007 Oregonian article regarding the abuse and neglect of such folks as a link on the blog’s home page. If you haven’t clicked on it, may I suggest you do so.
What has me perplexed is the obvious absence of any interview done with the state’s Office of Investigations and Training staff. These are the people responsible for stepping in when abuse occurs, to investigate the facts. Was Michelle Roberts unaware of this as she wrote the piece? Did none of the other people she interviewed point her in that direction for information? If not, the question is; “why not”? Though the article became a good starting point for looking at what happens to these folks, it fails to ask the “hard” questions, and only deals with the surface of the problem.
There is a lot of corruption coupled with conflicts of interest in the developmental disabilities system here in Oregon. Until these underlying problems are addressed properly, it will continue to be the same old same old. Genuine reform cannot take place without thorough investigation.
Last year the “advocates” came up with an idea which they turned into a poster, which was to be placed in “all” settings where people with developmental disabilities are served in their community. The poster says “Watch, Listen, Report”, as a reminder that people working with profoundly disabled folks are mandatory reporters; required to report suspicious or blatant abuse. I found out back in December through a phone call to Eva Kutas (director of the Office of Investigations and Training) that there should be a camera in such places to photograph occurrences. There’s no rule about it, no mandate about it, it’s simply best practice. Is that strange, or what? I also believe it should be REQUIRED that a tape recorder be available as well. Then the poster could say; “Watch (photograph), Listen (record), Report”. This would keep folks MUCH safer.
More to come on this subject...
What has me perplexed is the obvious absence of any interview done with the state’s Office of Investigations and Training staff. These are the people responsible for stepping in when abuse occurs, to investigate the facts. Was Michelle Roberts unaware of this as she wrote the piece? Did none of the other people she interviewed point her in that direction for information? If not, the question is; “why not”? Though the article became a good starting point for looking at what happens to these folks, it fails to ask the “hard” questions, and only deals with the surface of the problem.
There is a lot of corruption coupled with conflicts of interest in the developmental disabilities system here in Oregon. Until these underlying problems are addressed properly, it will continue to be the same old same old. Genuine reform cannot take place without thorough investigation.
Last year the “advocates” came up with an idea which they turned into a poster, which was to be placed in “all” settings where people with developmental disabilities are served in their community. The poster says “Watch, Listen, Report”, as a reminder that people working with profoundly disabled folks are mandatory reporters; required to report suspicious or blatant abuse. I found out back in December through a phone call to Eva Kutas (director of the Office of Investigations and Training) that there should be a camera in such places to photograph occurrences. There’s no rule about it, no mandate about it, it’s simply best practice. Is that strange, or what? I also believe it should be REQUIRED that a tape recorder be available as well. Then the poster could say; “Watch (photograph), Listen (record), Report”. This would keep folks MUCH safer.
More to come on this subject...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Publicity Stunt
Yesterday I went to PCC Cascade to catch up with what the Oregon Legislature is saying they might have to cut from various Human Services budgets. The local DD Coalition (I hate the acronym DD... are people too lazy to write or say developmental disabilities?) sent out info. on possible cuts on the 19th, and I wanted to see for myself how this might pan out.
When I arrived, an hour early, there were about 50 or 60 people in line ahead of me. That pretty much killed the idea I had about testifying from my own prospective, so I left. I figured someone else would share my ideas any way. Here's what I planned to say...
Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts on what it is I believe we need in our state.
1.) The re-creation of a civil rights enforcement unit in our Department of Justice office. If this is in place, what the legislature says we need to do would very possibly be illegal.
2.) Eliminate the Corporate minimum income tax. Instead of cutting programs that affect the neediest Oregonians, the corporations that operate in our state should pay their fair share.
3.) Get the Oregon Channel back on the air. We deserve REAL transparency within our legislature. Without this resource, a majority of Oregonians have no clue as to what is happening in Salem.
4.) Finally, I want to talk about cuts. Do I believe we should cut programs for developmentally disabled citizens in lieu of cutting services to senior citizens? Of course not. Do I think that cutting Head Start is more tasteful than cutting addiction services? Of course not. There is only one logical conclusion I can come to. NO MORE CUTS. NO MORE CUTS. NO MORE CUTS. And if you follow my 3 previous suggestions, there will be no need for more cuts.
Thank You
As I was walking back to my truck, I came to a realization... this whole thing was a big publicity stunt! The legislature has no intention of carrying out these ridiculous cuts! According to the DD (yuck!) Coalition, here's what's been proposed as possibility...
1) Infrastructure Reductions
• Eliminate Cost of Living increases to all programs and services
• Eliminate Protective Services and Quality Assurance Compliance staff (Investigates more than 2,000 allegations per year)
• Reductions in SPD, County and Brokerages staff
• Reduce training
2) Service Reductions to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Eliminate all employment and community inclusion services for people in residential programs (5,000 people)
• Freeze enrollments in Brokerages (1,400 people /2 brokerages)
• Eliminate Transportation (3,000 people)
• Eliminate access to non crisis comprehensive services (130 people)
• Reduce eligibility to 100 percent of SSI, eliminating all services to individuals over 100 percent (over 1000 people)
• Reduce comprehensive program funding by 10 percent
3) Services to Children with Developmental Disabilities and Families
• Eliminate Personal Care Program
• Eliminate Family Support Program
4) Health Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Eliminate adult dental services
• Eliminate adult vision services
• Eliminate Medicaid optional services like private duty nursing
• 100 percent of SSI would eliminate access to all health care (more than 1000 people)
5) Housing supports for People with Developmental Disabilities
• Eliminate the Fairview Trust (Served more than 800 people so far)
If the legislature were to make any of these cuts, there would be such a backlash that they could never possibly get re-elected in our state. And, they know it.
When I arrived, an hour early, there were about 50 or 60 people in line ahead of me. That pretty much killed the idea I had about testifying from my own prospective, so I left. I figured someone else would share my ideas any way. Here's what I planned to say...
Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts on what it is I believe we need in our state.
1.) The re-creation of a civil rights enforcement unit in our Department of Justice office. If this is in place, what the legislature says we need to do would very possibly be illegal.
2.) Eliminate the Corporate minimum income tax. Instead of cutting programs that affect the neediest Oregonians, the corporations that operate in our state should pay their fair share.
3.) Get the Oregon Channel back on the air. We deserve REAL transparency within our legislature. Without this resource, a majority of Oregonians have no clue as to what is happening in Salem.
4.) Finally, I want to talk about cuts. Do I believe we should cut programs for developmentally disabled citizens in lieu of cutting services to senior citizens? Of course not. Do I think that cutting Head Start is more tasteful than cutting addiction services? Of course not. There is only one logical conclusion I can come to. NO MORE CUTS. NO MORE CUTS. NO MORE CUTS. And if you follow my 3 previous suggestions, there will be no need for more cuts.
Thank You
As I was walking back to my truck, I came to a realization... this whole thing was a big publicity stunt! The legislature has no intention of carrying out these ridiculous cuts! According to the DD (yuck!) Coalition, here's what's been proposed as possibility...
1) Infrastructure Reductions
• Eliminate Cost of Living increases to all programs and services
• Eliminate Protective Services and Quality Assurance Compliance staff (Investigates more than 2,000 allegations per year)
• Reductions in SPD, County and Brokerages staff
• Reduce training
2) Service Reductions to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Eliminate all employment and community inclusion services for people in residential programs (5,000 people)
• Freeze enrollments in Brokerages (1,400 people /2 brokerages)
• Eliminate Transportation (3,000 people)
• Eliminate access to non crisis comprehensive services (130 people)
• Reduce eligibility to 100 percent of SSI, eliminating all services to individuals over 100 percent (over 1000 people)
• Reduce comprehensive program funding by 10 percent
3) Services to Children with Developmental Disabilities and Families
• Eliminate Personal Care Program
• Eliminate Family Support Program
4) Health Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Eliminate adult dental services
• Eliminate adult vision services
• Eliminate Medicaid optional services like private duty nursing
• 100 percent of SSI would eliminate access to all health care (more than 1000 people)
5) Housing supports for People with Developmental Disabilities
• Eliminate the Fairview Trust (Served more than 800 people so far)
If the legislature were to make any of these cuts, there would be such a backlash that they could never possibly get re-elected in our state. And, they know it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
M-I-N-I-M-U-M C-O-R-P-O-R-A-T-E I-N-C-O-M-E T-A-X
With all the grousing, manipulation, and out and out STEALING that's going on in our country and in our state, you rarely hear anything about corporations paying their fair share. It seems like politicians have their hands tied when they should be screaming about this. I thought that by making as large a statement about it on my blog as possible, it might draw some attention.
Why is it so important to some people to preserve the riches of others at any cost? Begging for crumbs while other people are dying? This "financial crisis" we're in was brought about by weaklings doing the bidding for the rich. We are now seeing the real cost of Capitalism in its' purest form.
In Oregon, the year before the rules were changed on taxing corporations, INTEL payed 20 million dollars in taxes. The following year they paid ten dollars. If you can't see the utter ridiculousness in that, you are not seeing anything clearly.
Now, apparently, the Oregon Legislature plans 2 bold moves to pump a few dollars back into the state budget. Close the School For The Blind in Salem, and close the office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman. These moves were set in motion without any real input from stakeholders. It's a continued shell game, where they will take the savings from these services and use it somewhere else in the budget.
The parents of the students who have visual impairments are wondering (as they should be) how their kids will fare in their public schools, who failed them the first time around. By all reports these kids have come a long way since they came to the School For The Blind. The families of people living in long term care are concerned (as they should be)about possible abuse/neglect/ and exploitation their loved ones may run into without the Ombudsman program keeping an eye on things.
It's all coming back at us now. We are as much to blame as those I'm bitching about. We allowed it all to go down. Is it too late to fix it, or are we simply going to crash and burn?
Why is it so important to some people to preserve the riches of others at any cost? Begging for crumbs while other people are dying? This "financial crisis" we're in was brought about by weaklings doing the bidding for the rich. We are now seeing the real cost of Capitalism in its' purest form.
In Oregon, the year before the rules were changed on taxing corporations, INTEL payed 20 million dollars in taxes. The following year they paid ten dollars. If you can't see the utter ridiculousness in that, you are not seeing anything clearly.
Now, apparently, the Oregon Legislature plans 2 bold moves to pump a few dollars back into the state budget. Close the School For The Blind in Salem, and close the office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman. These moves were set in motion without any real input from stakeholders. It's a continued shell game, where they will take the savings from these services and use it somewhere else in the budget.
The parents of the students who have visual impairments are wondering (as they should be) how their kids will fare in their public schools, who failed them the first time around. By all reports these kids have come a long way since they came to the School For The Blind. The families of people living in long term care are concerned (as they should be)about possible abuse/neglect/ and exploitation their loved ones may run into without the Ombudsman program keeping an eye on things.
It's all coming back at us now. We are as much to blame as those I'm bitching about. We allowed it all to go down. Is it too late to fix it, or are we simply going to crash and burn?
Friday, April 10, 2009
Truth Be Told
Throughout the US, people with developmental disabilities are overlooked and under served. It’s an undeniable fact. Until we, as community, pull our heads out of our collective ass, I’ll be demonstrating how bad things are for these folks. Hope you don’t mind. This editorial comes from the Southtown Star in Indiana...
April 10, 2009
BY PHIL KADNER
When I was in high school, I used to watch Bob getting picked on by bullies.
Bob had a developmental disability. We called him mentally retarded back then.
I did nothing to help him.
That's bothered me my entire life. Only cowards walk away when the "Bobs" of the world are being threatened.
There was a public uproar when President Barack Obama compared his bowling skills to those of a Special Olympics athlete. But when it comes to actually helping mentally disabled adults, there is nothing but silence.
I recently wrote a column about two Southland mothers so alarmed by the lack of state support for the developmentally disabled that they have launched their own fundraising organization, Bridge2Hope.
They realize the amount of money they raise won't come close to meeting the statewide demand, but they figured it was better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
Anne O'Sullivan, of Oak Lawn, and Stephanie DeWitt-Kotheimer, of Tinley Park, have adult children of their own in need of assistance, but there are roughly 16,000 other people on the same waiting list for help.
After I wrote about Bridge2Hope, an effort to raise awareness as well as money, I received an e-mail from Linda Hayes, program director for LARC in Lansing, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing developmentally disabled adults with "an opportunity to work, live and participate in their community."
Originally formed as a school for mentally retarded children in 1956, LARC currently provides day training and work activity to approximately 90 adults from the Southland and Northwest Indiana.
Hayes wrote because she wanted me to know that the challenges faced by the children of those two Moms - Meggin Kotheimer, 20, and Harry O'Sullivan, 18 - are indicative of a much larger problem.
"We are the place that young people like Harry and Meggin would be able to attend upon graduation (from high school)," Hayes wrote. "Up until about two years ago, when graduation was approaching, Harry and Meggin's families would have contacted the appropriate organizations and inquired about availability.
"Our agency would have been contacted, and we would have placed them on our waiting list. When they graduated, we would have reviewed their status and, more than likely, accepted them into our program.
"Our program provides work and many other necessary programs for adults with disabilities. But now, there is no funding, so we no longer can accept special education graduates. We understand that there is a five-year wait from the time of graduation.
"The fact that Mrs. O'Sullivan and Mrs. DeWitt-Kotheimer are forced to raise money for programs for people with developmental disabilities, when other states manage just fine, is very bad. All they want for their children is a place to go each day ... to be productive, to make friends, to continue to learn.
"There are many places that would fulfill these needs right in the South Suburbs. But no funding means no place to go. No funding means no transportation. No funding means no services. And these two caring, loving parents must do the state's job.
"I was not outraged by President Obama's comments about the Special Olympics. In fact, I welcomed the opportunity to at least have that organization mentioned and get some publicity. No one usually even hears about Special Olympics, let alone people with disabilities.
"There should be absolute outrage that in the year 2009, adults with disabilities are once again being treated as second-class, maybe even third-class, citizens. They are ignored and left unserved. These facts rarely make the news."
I thanked Hayes for her e-mail because I think it gets to the heart of the problem.
Parents such as O'Sullivan and Dewitt-Kotheimer just want to care for their children at home, while giving them the opportunity to live as normal a life as possible.
In doing so, they actually save the government hundreds of thousands of dollars, the cost of housing the developmentally disabled in a group home or institution.
When Obama compared his bowling skills to those of a Special Olympian, millions of Americans spoke up as if they cared. But if they did, this state wouldn't be among the worst, if not the worst, in the nation when it comes to offering programs for developmentally disabled adults.
O'Sullivan told me she was faced with the choice of leaving the state or staying here and launching a fight to improve funding for individuals in the same situation as her own child.
There are bullies who pick on those who are weak.
And there are cowards who walk away when they see that happening.
These two Moms have told you what's going on. If you turn away, pretend you don't see it, well, that's what I did with Bob.
I know what that is. So do you.
April 10, 2009
BY PHIL KADNER
When I was in high school, I used to watch Bob getting picked on by bullies.
Bob had a developmental disability. We called him mentally retarded back then.
I did nothing to help him.
That's bothered me my entire life. Only cowards walk away when the "Bobs" of the world are being threatened.
There was a public uproar when President Barack Obama compared his bowling skills to those of a Special Olympics athlete. But when it comes to actually helping mentally disabled adults, there is nothing but silence.
I recently wrote a column about two Southland mothers so alarmed by the lack of state support for the developmentally disabled that they have launched their own fundraising organization, Bridge2Hope.
They realize the amount of money they raise won't come close to meeting the statewide demand, but they figured it was better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
Anne O'Sullivan, of Oak Lawn, and Stephanie DeWitt-Kotheimer, of Tinley Park, have adult children of their own in need of assistance, but there are roughly 16,000 other people on the same waiting list for help.
After I wrote about Bridge2Hope, an effort to raise awareness as well as money, I received an e-mail from Linda Hayes, program director for LARC in Lansing, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing developmentally disabled adults with "an opportunity to work, live and participate in their community."
Originally formed as a school for mentally retarded children in 1956, LARC currently provides day training and work activity to approximately 90 adults from the Southland and Northwest Indiana.
Hayes wrote because she wanted me to know that the challenges faced by the children of those two Moms - Meggin Kotheimer, 20, and Harry O'Sullivan, 18 - are indicative of a much larger problem.
"We are the place that young people like Harry and Meggin would be able to attend upon graduation (from high school)," Hayes wrote. "Up until about two years ago, when graduation was approaching, Harry and Meggin's families would have contacted the appropriate organizations and inquired about availability.
"Our agency would have been contacted, and we would have placed them on our waiting list. When they graduated, we would have reviewed their status and, more than likely, accepted them into our program.
"Our program provides work and many other necessary programs for adults with disabilities. But now, there is no funding, so we no longer can accept special education graduates. We understand that there is a five-year wait from the time of graduation.
"The fact that Mrs. O'Sullivan and Mrs. DeWitt-Kotheimer are forced to raise money for programs for people with developmental disabilities, when other states manage just fine, is very bad. All they want for their children is a place to go each day ... to be productive, to make friends, to continue to learn.
"There are many places that would fulfill these needs right in the South Suburbs. But no funding means no place to go. No funding means no transportation. No funding means no services. And these two caring, loving parents must do the state's job.
"I was not outraged by President Obama's comments about the Special Olympics. In fact, I welcomed the opportunity to at least have that organization mentioned and get some publicity. No one usually even hears about Special Olympics, let alone people with disabilities.
"There should be absolute outrage that in the year 2009, adults with disabilities are once again being treated as second-class, maybe even third-class, citizens. They are ignored and left unserved. These facts rarely make the news."
I thanked Hayes for her e-mail because I think it gets to the heart of the problem.
Parents such as O'Sullivan and Dewitt-Kotheimer just want to care for their children at home, while giving them the opportunity to live as normal a life as possible.
In doing so, they actually save the government hundreds of thousands of dollars, the cost of housing the developmentally disabled in a group home or institution.
When Obama compared his bowling skills to those of a Special Olympian, millions of Americans spoke up as if they cared. But if they did, this state wouldn't be among the worst, if not the worst, in the nation when it comes to offering programs for developmentally disabled adults.
O'Sullivan told me she was faced with the choice of leaving the state or staying here and launching a fight to improve funding for individuals in the same situation as her own child.
There are bullies who pick on those who are weak.
And there are cowards who walk away when they see that happening.
These two Moms have told you what's going on. If you turn away, pretend you don't see it, well, that's what I did with Bob.
I know what that is. So do you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
