The Community of People with Disabilities of Washington State
Invites You to Attend The 30th Annual
Legislative Reception
WHERE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT THEM
MEET WITH LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS ISSUES CRITICAL TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
5:30 – 7:30
in the Legislative Building’s Columbia Room
HOSTED BY
The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council,
The Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, The State Independent Living Council, Parkview Services &
The Washington State Rehabilitation Council
ACCOMMODATIONS
Contact Debbie Himes at dhimes@esd.wa.gov or
1-360-438-3246 by December 20th 2008
360 438 3167 TTY
CONTRIBUTIONS GO TO
Kellie Anabel at kellie@parkviewservices.org or
1-206-542-6644
OTHER QUESTIONS
David Maltman at davidm@cted.wa.gov
or 1-800-634-4473
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
DRAFT Report- Study of closure of state institutions
STATE OF WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Insurance Building, PO Box 43113 Olympia, Washington 98504-3113 (360) 902-0555
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 14, 2009
CONTACT: Kate Lykins Brown, 360-902-0619
Consultant draft report delivered on facilities recommendations
Public comment invited; final report due Nov. 1
OLYMPIA – Consultant Christopher Murray & Associates delivered its draft report to the Office of Financial Management today on which state facilities could be closed or consolidated. The Legislature directed OFM in the state operating budget (House Bill 1244) to hire a contractor to provide recommendations for closing or consolidating institutions in the Department of Corrections, and in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration and Division of Developmental Disabilities programs.
The legislation requires the report to recommend reducing 1,580 beds in DOC, 235 beds in JRA and 250 beds in DDD. These reductions were to consider capital costs, economic impacts on communities, impacts on facility staff, projected savings and availability of alternative services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Savings were assumed in the 2009–11 budget of $12 million for DOC and $12 million for JRA for closures. No savings were included in the budget for residential habilitation center beds in DDD.
The consultant’s draft report recommendations are as follows:
Department of Corrections
Close the old main institution (the original prison behind the concrete walls built in the late 1800s, but not any of the additions, including North Close, the intensive management unit, the minimum-security unit and administration buildings) at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,653, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima and half of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt. Three close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy.
OR
Downsize McNeil Island to a minimum-security facility. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,618, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima. All of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt and two close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy.
If $41 million in capital funding is appropriated to build a medium-security unit and a close-custody unit, and to expand the kitchen, all at the Penitentiary, then the consultant’s recommendation is to choose the option to close the old main institution at the Penitentiary.
The 100 elderly, medically fragile offenders at Ahtanum View would transfer to a minimum-security unit at the Monroe Corrections Complex.
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
Close Maple Lane School in Rochester, which would result in the proviso-mandated reduction of 235 beds.
Developmental Disabilities Division (residential rehabilitation centers)
Close all beds for intermediate-care facilities at all facilities over an eight-year period.
Close, in phases, Francis Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton by 2013.
Close, in phases, Rainier School in Buckley by 2017.
Keep open Fircrest, Lakeland Village and Yakima Valley with a small number of skilled nursing facility beds.
The budget proviso requiring the study did not identify a savings target for the 250-bed reduction in the residential habilitation centers, which would be achieved by 2013. The consultant’s recommendations would cost the state in the first year of implementation before savings begin.
Residents from the closed facilities would be moved into either smaller state-run facilities or private community-care settings. The aim of the recommendation, though not required in the budget proviso, is to close all residential habilitation centers within an eight-year period, except for the skilled nursing facility beds.
Fiscal analysis for the recommendations by the consultant has not been completed, but will be available by Nov. 1.
The initial report is posted in three parts, one for each subject area, on OFM’s Web site at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/ . Fiscal analysis will be posted as it becomes available. Comments on each part of the draft report may be made through the Web site through Oct. 21. The final report is due to the governor and Legislature Nov. 1.
Christopher Murray & Associates of Olympia was selected as the primary contractor following a competitive bidding process conducted in the spring. The contract totaled $463,000; OFM was appropriated $500,000 to contract for the study.
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Insurance Building, PO Box 43113 Olympia, Washington 98504-3113 (360) 902-0555
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 14, 2009
CONTACT: Kate Lykins Brown, 360-902-0619
Consultant draft report delivered on facilities recommendations
Public comment invited; final report due Nov. 1
OLYMPIA – Consultant Christopher Murray & Associates delivered its draft report to the Office of Financial Management today on which state facilities could be closed or consolidated. The Legislature directed OFM in the state operating budget (House Bill 1244) to hire a contractor to provide recommendations for closing or consolidating institutions in the Department of Corrections, and in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration and Division of Developmental Disabilities programs.
The legislation requires the report to recommend reducing 1,580 beds in DOC, 235 beds in JRA and 250 beds in DDD. These reductions were to consider capital costs, economic impacts on communities, impacts on facility staff, projected savings and availability of alternative services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Savings were assumed in the 2009–11 budget of $12 million for DOC and $12 million for JRA for closures. No savings were included in the budget for residential habilitation center beds in DDD.
The consultant’s draft report recommendations are as follows:
Department of Corrections
Close the old main institution (the original prison behind the concrete walls built in the late 1800s, but not any of the additions, including North Close, the intensive management unit, the minimum-security unit and administration buildings) at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,653, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima and half of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt. Three close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy.
OR
Downsize McNeil Island to a minimum-security facility. Total beds reduced in this option is 1,618, which includes the closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center in Yakima. All of Larch Corrections Center in Yacolt and two close/medium custody units at the Penitentiary could be closed if changes are made to state sentencing policy.
If $41 million in capital funding is appropriated to build a medium-security unit and a close-custody unit, and to expand the kitchen, all at the Penitentiary, then the consultant’s recommendation is to choose the option to close the old main institution at the Penitentiary.
The 100 elderly, medically fragile offenders at Ahtanum View would transfer to a minimum-security unit at the Monroe Corrections Complex.
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
Close Maple Lane School in Rochester, which would result in the proviso-mandated reduction of 235 beds.
Developmental Disabilities Division (residential rehabilitation centers)
Close all beds for intermediate-care facilities at all facilities over an eight-year period.
Close, in phases, Francis Haddon Morgan Center in Bremerton by 2013.
Close, in phases, Rainier School in Buckley by 2017.
Keep open Fircrest, Lakeland Village and Yakima Valley with a small number of skilled nursing facility beds.
The budget proviso requiring the study did not identify a savings target for the 250-bed reduction in the residential habilitation centers, which would be achieved by 2013. The consultant’s recommendations would cost the state in the first year of implementation before savings begin.
Residents from the closed facilities would be moved into either smaller state-run facilities or private community-care settings. The aim of the recommendation, though not required in the budget proviso, is to close all residential habilitation centers within an eight-year period, except for the skilled nursing facility beds.
Fiscal analysis for the recommendations by the consultant has not been completed, but will be available by Nov. 1.
The initial report is posted in three parts, one for each subject area, on OFM’s Web site at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/ . Fiscal analysis will be posted as it becomes available. Comments on each part of the draft report may be made through the Web site through Oct. 21. The final report is due to the governor and Legislature Nov. 1.
Christopher Murray & Associates of Olympia was selected as the primary contractor following a competitive bidding process conducted in the spring. The contract totaled $463,000; OFM was appropriated $500,000 to contract for the study.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
AUTISM AWARENESS RALLY
AUTISM AWARENESS RALLY
Sponsored by the Autism Society of Washington
Wednesday, Jan 20, ‘10
11:30 a.m.
Capitol Rotunda
Autism is the fastest growing disability in children in the world. It is now known that 1 in 150 will be diagnosed with autism. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best hope for those affected by autism. However, particularly in Washington State, professionals who provide diagnosis have waiting lists months long, and once diagnosed, services and intervention support are hard to find. Come to the Awareness Rally in Olympia… Bring your children affected by autism or Asperger and share your story with your Legislator…..
To find out more information about the Autism Rally in Olympia, call Patty Gee, ASW Executive Director, at 888-ASW 4 YOU, or email info@autismsocietyofwa.org
www.autismsocietyofwa.org
Mailing Address:
Autism Society of Washington
1101 Eastside St SE Suite B
Olympia WA 98501
Sponsored by the Autism Society of Washington
Wednesday, Jan 20, ‘10
11:30 a.m.
Capitol Rotunda
Autism is the fastest growing disability in children in the world. It is now known that 1 in 150 will be diagnosed with autism. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best hope for those affected by autism. However, particularly in Washington State, professionals who provide diagnosis have waiting lists months long, and once diagnosed, services and intervention support are hard to find. Come to the Awareness Rally in Olympia… Bring your children affected by autism or Asperger and share your story with your Legislator…..
To find out more information about the Autism Rally in Olympia, call Patty Gee, ASW Executive Director, at 888-ASW 4 YOU, or email info@autismsocietyofwa.org
www.autismsocietyofwa.org
Mailing Address:
Autism Society of Washington
1101 Eastside St SE Suite B
Olympia WA 98501
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