State employees, community leaders and family members of developmentally disabled adults living at the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center vow to vote for lawmakers who will put care before profit.
They are speaking out against Missouri Governor Matt Blunt’s plan to transition the care of residents into the private sector, where they say safeguards do not exist.
A rally held Dec. 17 at Greater St. Mark Family Church in Bellefontaine Neighbors was attended by 40 people who are opposed to the privatization of care for residents of the adult facility.
“It is unforgivable that many of the mentally retarded have been sent to psychiatric hospitals, where they do not belong,” said Betty Coll, vice president of the Parents Association of Bellefontaine Habilitation Center and president of the Retardation Association of Missouri.
“Most community providers are unable to provide care needed. They don’t have to meet the same state and federal guides.”
“These folks do not have the same training and the same protocol,” said the Rev. Audrey Hollis, an associate minister at the church and Bellefontaine Neighbors 4th ward alderwoman. She told those in attendance that she has a mentally retarded daughter.
“This administration ignored warnings from Nevada and Illinois against moving residents from state facilities – which resulted in a higher mortality rate,” said Kim Clark-Weaver, co-chair of the Jobs for Justice Health Care Committee.
She called on voters to elect responsible representatives: “Let’s get rid of the scarcity takers. Let’s find us some abundance makers.”
Speakers blasted the governor and his administration for being “all about profit.”
“We won’t stop supporting Bellefontaine until justice rolls down like waters,” said the Rev. Tommie Pierson, pastor at Greater St. Mark. “Today we rally, tomorrow we vote.”
The state considers the transition plan a prudent approach.
“We have transitioned a number of people into the community over the years had have done so successfully,” said Bob Bax, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
“The Division of Developmental Disabilities serves about 28,000 statewide – 960 live in state-operated habilitation centers. About 95 percent served currently are contracted out – in private homes, group homes, one or two in an apartment or those types of arrangements.”
According to Bax, greater oversight of community providers may appear during the next legislative session.
Bax said the state intends to build a new, 40-bed facility on the Bellefontaine campus, with an additional 12 acute-care beds. He said the state is reviewing proposals from community providers and selection is expected early next year.
Regardless, those who want Bellefontaine to remain home for its 160 residents are unhappy and unmoved.
“Blunt’s plan is not to be trusted,” Pierson said.
“If they do this, who will be the next group they target? Will it be our seniors? Will it be our children in state facilities?” Hollis asked.
The transition at Bellefontaine will take place over a two-year period. About 650 employees currently working at the facility will be out of jobs, unless they are picked up by private contractors.
“I am proud of the relationship we have with clients, and we are like family to them. Blunt is a home wrecker,” said Quincy Boyd, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local 2730.
“You can’t keep handing off this responsibility to the private sector. The Blunt administration needs to not only respect the residents at Bellefontaine, but all state mentally disabled.”