The child advocate’s report outlines state agency concerns about a foster father’s alleged drinking habits — and a failure to act on them.
DDS
Posted inHealth
Hospital visitor bans fail disabled patients, complaint says
Relatives and advocates say support for disabled patients in hospitals shouldn’t count as ‘visitors’ when they serve a vital role.
Posted inJustice
CT files lawsuit after losing nearly $11M in ‘kickback pyramid scheme’
Connecticut is suing a Florida-based compounding pharmacy and several people, including former and current state employees, for their alleged involvement in a kickback pyramid scheme that cost the state nearly $11 million, Attorney General George Jepsen announced Tuesday.
Posted inHealth
To avert a strike, House boosts money for care of the disabled
The House Wednesday passed a bill aimed at heading off a strike scheduled for Monday by about 2,500 union members who take care of the disabled. The employees work for private agencies in group homes and day programs that receive state Medicaid funding. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Posted inHealth
Workers who care for disabled vote to strike May 7
The employees work for private agencies in group homes and day programs that receive state funding, with the majority of that coming from the state Department of Developmental Services. The strike vote is aimed at prodding the legislature to increase funding for these programs.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Union president: Workers have postponed strike — for now
David Pickus, president of SEIU 1199 New England, appreciates the value of the care provided to the disabled by thousands of Connecticut workers. But he’s not sure state legislators do. He’ll be finding out in a few days, he says, when he meets with state officials to determine whether they can come to wage and program funding terms that will avert a strike tentatively scheduled for next month.
Posted inHealth
Scheff to lead change at Department of Developmental Services
Acting Commissioner Jordan A. Scheff was named Friday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to lead a state Department of Developmental Services undergoing change as it looks to privatize group homes and continues to downsize the Southbury Training School.
Posted inMoney
Malloy says intellectually disabled winners in new budget
It’s a budget laden with cuts, but Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s first event after Wednesday’s rollout of his fiscal plan for the next two years was to highlight what he says are significant improvements in services to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Posted inHealth
State to close two centers for those with intellectual disabilities
State officials Thursday announced plans to close by June 30 two state-run facilities that provide residential care for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The move was pegged as a “change in strategic direction” as the state looks to outsource those services to private providers to save money.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Legislators, stop using the disabled as a fiscal punching bag!
There is no honor in how the state has disrespected persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD). Their plight is dire. With the last rescission, the IDD population since 2013 has lost nearly $100 million from its agency — the Department of Developmental Services(DDS).
Posted inCT Viewpoints
There is more to Connecticut life than business taxes
Since the state budget was finalized, all we have heard in the media is that major corporations and Connecticut citizens are threatening to leave the state because of the increasing taxes. But I would like to ask my fellow citizens and these large companies to consider that this budget offers a real lifeline to some Connecticut children and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Legislators need good input to make best decisions for DDS
Over the next two years the Gov. Dannel Malloy’s budget will impose Draconian cuts of $89 million on the Department of Developmental Disabilities Services specific to supported living, family supports, employment and new high school graduates’ support. Legislators need an open exchange of information from state commissioners — not a gag order — to make the best decisions possible for DDS client families and others.