PARENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. SLSSH
BELLEFONTAINE HABILITATION CENTER
10695 BELLEFONTAINE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63137
PHONE 314-340-6002
WEBSITE www.ParentsAssociationBHC.com
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2011
PARENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 2:00 p.m.
GYM IN THEMULTIPURPOSE BUILDING, BHC
All Parent Association members, friends and staff are invited. Keep up with the latest news about Bellefontaine Habilitation Center. Bring your talents and expertise for our advocacy efforts. With everyone’s involvement, the lives of the residents at BHC will be the best possible. All are encouraged to stay informed and take some action. Attend a parents meeting, talk with other families, share your concerns and ideas, write a letter, or make a phone call to help provide a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for the residents of BHC and others. They have no voice but ours, so we must continually speak up for them. Refreshments served.
2011 PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING DATES
FEBRUARY 13 MAY 15 AUGUST 14 NOVEMBER 13
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Construction and renovation continues at a slower pace because of snowy weather conditions.
Many thanks to all the staff for their dedicated care and hard work for BHC residents.
The main focus of the Parents Association continues to be keeping habilitation centers open, and allowing new long-term admissions to habilitation centers.
Senator Scott Rupp has filed Senate Bill 56 to stop new construction at BHC, and to close all habilitation centers within the next few years.
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has changed his mind yet again, and has pulled his support for funding for renovation at BHC.
Everyone must speak up to oppose these proposals!!!!
The best evidence that habilitation centers are needed now and in the future is in the thriving lives of the residents. Families with loved ones now living in habilitation centers know the cost-effective, quality care and services provided in these facilities. Families that come to habilitation centers from the community for crisis services are thrilled with the care received, and comment that their loved one is doing better than they have done in several years because of all the specialized supports located on one campus! They want their family member to stay at a habilitation center, but are denied that choice!
Waitlist for services of as 12-2010: 426 residential 4,445 in home 4,871 TOTAL
Thriving current residents, new families desperately wanting and needing habilitation centers, a waiting list for services, and a renovated campus all adds up to:
OPEN UP LONG TERM ADMISSIONS TO HABILITATION CENTERS!!!!!!!!
As Senator Rob Mayer stated in the Daily American Republic, dated 11-6-09: “Who knows best about the needs of your loved ones?” Mayer asked. “Not me. Not Bernie Simons. Not someone on the (Mental Health) Commission.” He continued: “It is a sad state of affairs when society turns their backs on people who can’t care for themselves.”
Keep informed. Take action.
Mary A. Vitale, President, Bellefontaine Parents Association
FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 2
2011 BELLEFONTAINE HABILITATION CENTER
PARENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT Mary Vitale 1335 Redbird Drive Florissant MO 63031 314-831-5662
VICE PRESIDENT Betty Coll 1108 Nectar Drive St. Louis MO 63137 314-867-0509
TREASURER John Ahlquist 850 Woodside Trails Drive Ballwin MO 63021 636-227-2236
RECORDING SECRETARY Norma Lingle 1010 DuBerry Lane St. Louis MO 63138 314-869-1670
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Virgie Duncan 9513 Harold Drive St. Louis MO 63134 314-429-6261
DIRECTORS
Dee Baldetti 6435 Lindenwood St. Louis MO 63109 314-752-0925
Cathy Berkley 3622 McDonald St. Louis MO 63116 314-664-8731
Jeanette Craig 9628 Cinnabar Drive St. Louis MO 63126 314-842-0926
Floyd Cressey 174 N. McBride Road Ava IL 62907 1-618-763-4305
Marion Dotson 4544 Bessie Avenue St. Louis MO 63115 314-381-7185
Mary Jane Gamache 7536 York Drive Clayton MO 63105 314-726-0342
Jim Kemp 6435 Lindenwood St. Louis MO 63109 314-752-0925
Izella Moore 3024 Mediterranian Florissant MO 63031 314-837-0364
Richard Moore 3024 Mediterranian Florissant MO 63031 314-837-0364
Mickey Slawson 995 Dauphin Florissant MO 63033 314-838-4046 (Past President)
Ruth Vondras 630 Graham Road Florissant MO 63031 314-837-0199
Patrick Wells 2981 Springwater St. Louis MO 63129 314-846-3329 (Past President)
HONORARY MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry Duncan 9513 Harold Drive St. Louis MO 63134 314-429-6261
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Howard Lingle 1010 DuBerry Lane St. Louis MO 63138 314-869-1670
By-Laws Loretta Brophy 6026 Arthur St. Louis MO 63139 314-645-0898
Legislative Jim Mulvaney 11 Brookstone Court Florissant MO 63033 314-831-7301
Membership Cathy Berkley 3622 McDonald St. Louis MO 63116 314-664-8731
Newsletter Mary Vitale/Betty Coll
Public Information Mary Vitale 1335 Redbird Drive Florissant MO 63031 314-831-5662
Refreshments Ruth Vondras 630 Graham Road St. Louis MO 63031 314-837-0199
Telephone Mary Jane Gamache 7536 York Drive Clayton MO 63105 314-726-0342
Tribute Fund Roseanne Dickey #6 Hobbs Mills St. Charles MO 63303 636-441-7554
Thrift Shop Betty Coll 1108 Nectar Drive St. Louis MO 63137 314-867-0509
PARENTS ASSOCIATION, INC
10695 BELLEFONTAINE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63137
314-340-6002
www.ParentsAssociationBHC.com
We support keeping habilitation centers open and allowing new long-term admissions to these centers. These centers provide comprehensive, very cost effective care to Missouri citizens with the severest degree of mental retardation and the highest degree of medical, physical, and behavioral impairments.
FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 3
Stay informed. Take action. Make change happen.
Contact Information
BELLEFONTAINE HABILITATION CENTER
Rebecca Post, Superintendent
Marcy Hargis, Assistant Superintendent
10695 BELLEFONTAINE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63137
314-340-6000
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
Keith Schafer, Director of Department of Mental Health
Bernard Simons, Director-Division of Developmental Disabilities
Jeff Grosvenor, Adminstrative Services
Department of Mental Health
1706 E. Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4122
1-800-364-9687
www.dmh.mo.gov
GOVERNOR JAY NIXON
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-3222
MISSOURI STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Missouri Capitol Switchboard: 1-573-751-2000
www.mo.gov
U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
United States Capitol Switchboard: 1-202-224-3121
www.house.gov
www.senate.gov
U.S. PRESIDENT
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Switchboard: 1-202-256-1414
www.whitehouse.gov
AFSCME COUNCIL 72 (American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees)
St. Louis Office, AFSCME Council 72
625 N. Euclid, Suite 228
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-5656
www.afscmecouncil72.org
VOICE OF THE RETARDED (a national organization representing a full continuum of care for persons diagnosed with mental retardation, including ICFs/MR, habilitation centers in Missouri)
1-877-399-4VOR
www.vor.net
ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
900 North Tucker Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-340-8000 letters to the editor
FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 4
BOB KRAMER MARIONETTES
A Christmas puppet program was presented on December 7, 2010 by the very talented Bob Kramer Marionettes. Colorful puppetry, audience participation, and joyful Christmas songs gave much fun and joy to all residents and staff. Thanks to the Parents Association for these funds, and to Bob Kramer for his kindness and sensitivity towards his very appreciative audience. His website is www.kramersmarionnettes.com.
FUNDS APPROVED BY PARENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD
$2170 Personalized birthday cakes for each resident
$ 720 Birthday gifts Jan-Jun 2011
$ 300 Valentine candy
$ 300 Easter candy
$ 595 NAEIR membership (huge cost savings on many needed purchases for BHC)
TOTAL FUNDS 2010 FROM HIDDEN TREASURE THRIFT SHOP
The sales at the Hidden Treasure Thrift Shop brought in $29,933.04 for 2010. All of these proceeds bring much happiness to all BHC residents. The many hours spent by volunteers in the shop is much appreciated.
TRIBUTE FUND
Celebrate a birthday or anniversary, offer get well wishes or congratulations, remember a loved one by sending in a tribute - support the residents at Bellefontaine Habilitation Center. A few examples of the use of funds are: annual picnic, Christmas gifts and decorations, birthday cakes and presents, holiday decorations, treats and dances, household items, and special programs. The tribute form is on the last page of the newsletter.
DONOR RECIPIENT OCCASION
Meenakshi Laks donation
Rudolph & Pat Klimek donation
Henry Kahle & Marie Brinkman in memory of Glen Price
Joe & Merrietta Laminger in memory of Glen Price
Lisa & Ken Busch in memory of Glen Price
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Thanks for many generous donations to Hidden Treasure Thrift Shop to benefit BHC residents from:
Jim Mulvaney & family
Helen McGillen (Church Women United),
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Deming (Christ Memorial Baptist Church)
Celeste Ledwidge, Marie William, June Sievers
RAM DUES FOR 2010
The Mental Retardation Association of Missouri (RAM) requests your support for RAM’s efforts on behalf of all state habilitation centers in Missouri. Annual dues are $5.00. Please make checks payable to RAM and mail to: Norma Lingle
1010 DuBerry Lane
St. Louis, MO 63138
PARENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR YEAR 2011
Dues are $5.00 a year. Make checks payable to Parents Association, Inc.
Mail to: JOHN AHLQUIST
7711 Bonhomme
Ste 850
Clayton Mo 63105
FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 5
PARENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. SLSSH
BELLEFONTAINE HABILITATION CENTER
10695 BELLEFONTAINE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63137
January 16, 2011
Senator Scott Rupp
201 W. Capitol Ave.
Room 418
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear Senator Rupp,
The Bellefontaine Habilitation Center Parents Association is extremely opposed to SB56 which proposes the closing of all habilitation centers. Habilitation centers are homes for persons diagnosed with mental retardation. These persons also have multiple physical impairments, extreme behavior challenges, and ongoing medical conditions.
It is unconscionable that SB56 ignores the 2006 statewide intense review of the care of Missouri citizens diagnosed with mental retardation! The results of this intense review are compiled in two major reports quoted below:
The Mental Health Commission Report of August 2006 states:
“The Department of Mental Health and the Governor must make a clear and unequivocal commitment to providing a continuum of facility and community-based services that afford real choices to all Missourians who require DMH services. The experiences of other state departments of mental health in the U.S. have demonstrated that there are clients with specific profiles of disability and or medical/psychiatric co-morbidity, who may be better served in dedicated centers than in community settings.”
The Mental Health Task Force Report of November 2006, chaired by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, states:
“The Department of Mental Health shall make a clear and unequivocal commitment to providing public and community based services that afford real choices for all Missourians who require DMH services. Because it is recognized that various types of care are needed for different individuals, the Department shall provide services on a person by person basis. To that end, no habilitation center shall be closed as long as there is a need for its continued operation. Conversely, any habilitation center for which there is no need shall be closed. This will require the collaboration of the Governor, legislators, the Department, consumers, and their families. Budget action for capital renovation and facility upgrades will be a necessity.”
The best evidence that habilitation centers are needed now and in the future is in the thriving lives of the residents. Families with loved ones now living in habilitation centers know the cost-effective, quality care and services provided in these facilities. Families that come to habilitation centers from the community for crisis services are thrilled with the care received, and comment that their loved one is doing better than they have done in several years because of all the specialized supports located on one campus! They want their family member to stay at a habilitation center, but are denied that choice!
Closing Missouri habilitation centers will take away the life saving support system of specialized care required by some Missouri citizens diagnosed with mental retardation, and will not save money.
Habilitation centers are cost effective. Investing in new buildings and renovation of Missouri habilitation centers is a fiscally responsible long term plan for our Missouri system of care for persons diagnosed with mental retardation. A recent cost comparison study published in Mental Retardation, April 2003 and a 2009 update state: “From the studies reviewed here, it is clear that large savings are not possible in the field of developmental disabilities by shifting residents from institutions to community placements.”
The real cost of ignoring the findings of these reports will be higher rates of death, abuse, and neglect of persons diagnosed with mental retardation. We hope to work with you in plans for keeping habilitation centers open, maintained, fully funded, and allowing new long term admissions.
Enclosed are documents in support of habilitation centers.
Respectfully,
Mary A.Vitale, President, Bellefontaine Parents Association
1335 Redbird Drive
Florissant MO 63031 314-831-5662 home
FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 6
PLEASE READ THE ABOVE LETTERS CAREFULLY AS THEY CONTAIN MUCH SUPPORTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VALUE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF KEEPING HABILITATION CENTERS OPEN AND ALLOWING NEW LONG TERM ADMISSIONS.
FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 7
HABILITATION CENTERS ARE VERY COST EFFECTIVE
The following is an excerpt of testimony given by Mary Vitale on January 26, 2010 to the House Appropriations Committee for Mental Health, Health, and Social Services:
Habilitation centers do offer cost-effective care for the most disabled population of persons with mental retardation. Their high level of disability will cost more than high functioning persons who can live in the community. A 2003 and 2009 updated peer-reviewed cost comparison study published in Mental Retardation, states: “From the studies reviewed here, it is clear that large savings are not possible in the field of developmental disabilities by shifting residents from institutions to community placements.”