CAPT comes out in support of amending budget language

The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians (CAPT) issued a statement today in support of the Parent Hospital Association and our efforts to amend language in the trailer bill regarding state developmental centers. (See previous post, Concerns over proposed Trailer Bill language affecting DC clients and services, for more information on the legislation in question.)

According to the statement, CAPT believes "clients and families' voices should come first and foremost in any discussion regarding the professional services provided at our federally accredited developmental centers, or anywhere else. As such, proposed budget language as written raises numerous concerns for ourselves as nursing professionals and patient advocates, as well as for the families whose loved ones we serve at our developmental centers."

The group went on to list the following concerns with respect to the proposed changes for developmental centers:

• Further strengthening Department of Developmental Services' "deflection" practices away from Northern California developmental centers presents added costs for the state and hardships for clients and their families. Proposed budget language states that Fairview Developmental Center shall be the only developmental center authorized to admit a consumer in ate crisis, ignoring the professional crisis services available at other developmental centers. […]
• Continuing to severely limit admissions to Porterville developmental Center's state-of-the-art secure treatment facility leaves Californians with developmental disabilities locked in jails and prisons. The state's proposed language says that PDC cannot admit anyone in need to the Secure Treatment Facility unless the population is fewer than 230 persons total. […]
• Limiting admissions to "962 homes" further limits quality care options and choices for Californians with developmental disabilities. the proposed budget language limits the habilitation of "962 homes:" group homes specifically designed and staffed for individuals with developmental disabilities and related medical issues. […]

The group went on to say, "A recent court ruling out of Virginia should serve as a reminder for California in terms of residents and families' rights and choices on where they can live and receive services, not where federally financed attorneys and profiting agencies say they should. In that ruling, a federal judge has decided that families 'have a signifiant, protectable interest in receiving the appropriate care of their choice and protecting their rights' on behalf of their loved ones receiving developmental services."

(See News from Virginia: Department of Justice defends Va. institutions settlement on this blog.)

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You can download a full copy of the CAPT statement here. (pdf)