eramshaw@dallasnews.com
December 16, 2008
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-stateschools_16tex.ART.State.Edition1.4a849c8.html
AUSTIN – A House panel charged with reviewing Texas' care for the disabled has not recommended closing any of the state's 12 public institutions.
But it has called for the creation of a legislative committee to consider the future of these large "state schools," which juvenile justice advocates are working to close in favor of more community-based care.
And it is asking that the state schools be maintained only for the state's most medically fragile people – and that others be given more options to be served in the community or in smaller, more intimate care facilities.
The panel, made up of nine House members appointed by Speaker Tom Craddick, has also recommended that some money allocated to increase the number of state school employees instead be used to pay current employees higher salaries, and to better train them. State school employees have very high turnover rates, a result of their low wages and tough working conditions.
The work of such legislative panels serves as a starting point for drafting legislation when lawmakers meet next month. Not everyone on the panel seems to agree with all of the recommendations. Rep. Myra Crownover, a Republican whose district includes the Denton State School, attached her own statement to the final report, saying she saw an institutional bias against state schools, and wants to halt removal of residents from them without the approval of a parent or guardian.
"Some of them felt like it didn't go far enough, others felt like went too far," said Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, who chaired the panel. "We had differing views. ... You're going to see different members carry portions of this in the Legislature."
Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, D-Weslaco, argues that Texas should consider expanding state schools or starting new ones.
And Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, is sponsoring his own legislation to start the process of downsizing state schools in favor of more community-based options.
Mr. Rose's proposal follows a recent U.S. Department of Justice report that found pervasive abuse and neglect and widespread civil rights violations at Texas' state schools. State budget advisers have also recommended downsizing the state school system, calling the current structure overly expensive and inefficient.
AUSTIN – A House panel charged with reviewing Texas' care for the disabled has not recommended closing any of the state's 12 public institutions.
But it has called for the creation of a legislative committee to consider the future of these large "state schools," which juvenile justice advocates are working to close in favor of more community-based care.
And it is asking that the state schools be maintained only for the state's most medically fragile people – and that others be given more options to be served in the community or in smaller, more intimate care facilities.
The panel, made up of nine House members appointed by Speaker Tom Craddick, has also recommended that some money allocated to increase the number of state school employees instead be used to pay current employees higher salaries, and to better train them. State school employees have very high turnover rates, a result of their low wages and tough working conditions.
The work of such legislative panels serves as a starting point for drafting legislation when lawmakers meet next month. Not everyone on the panel seems to agree with all of the recommendations. Rep. Myra Crownover, a Republican whose district includes the Denton State School, attached her own statement to the final report, saying she saw an institutional bias against state schools, and wants to halt removal of residents from them without the approval of a parent or guardian.
"Some of them felt like it didn't go far enough, others felt like went too far," said Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, who chaired the panel. "We had differing views. ... You're going to see different members carry portions of this in the Legislature."
Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, D-Weslaco, argues that Texas should consider expanding state schools or starting new ones.
And Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, is sponsoring his own legislation to start the process of downsizing state schools in favor of more community-based options.
Mr. Rose's proposal follows a recent U.S. Department of Justice report that found pervasive abuse and neglect and widespread civil rights violations at Texas' state schools. State budget advisers have also recommended downsizing the state school system, calling the current structure overly expensive and inefficient.
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