She is right that not everyone can make it in the community. However, of the many people I have seen who have left institutions, only a small minority had to return. Success in any setting is determined by the resources made available to support the individual.
The average annual cost per resident of a state institution is over $162,000 while the cost of supporting similar individuals in smaller community settings averages just under $53,000.
Community providers who have the same obligations as state institutions do not receive the same level of funding as do the entitled 2,100 people living in those institutions.
Living in a state institution is no guarantee of success or a safe environment. The closures of Howe and Lincoln Developmental Centers were the result of numerous neglectful and abusive situations, including a number of deaths, because of the actions of well-paid state employees. Both of those institutions were investigated by the Department of Justice and Equip for Equality, and they noted numerous findings of abuse and neglect.
Millions of state dollars were spent trying to fix the problems at Howe to no avail.
While Ms. Cozzone Achino may feel her right to choose where her sons live is in jeopardy, there are thousands of people who successfully live in small community settings with far less funding for the same services.
Why are they not entitled to the same level of funding as her sons? Why are there tens of thousands of people with disabilities waiting for any type of support?
While money is an issue, the bigger issue is that the state has long neglected the many for the entitled few. Other states have successfully closed their institutions — it is time for Illinois to follow suit.
# as posted by Rockford Register Star Aug 12 2011
* Matthew Toohey is executive director of Access Services of Northern Illinois in Loves Park.
# For Access Services of Northern Illinois in Loves Park, visit: http://www.accessni.com/
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