State’s Rights or National Leadership concerning individual rights?

Where are we headed with public policy concerning institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities in Washington State and throughout our nation? In a recent post to this blog I asked the question about when are we going to close our state institutions, but the whole country needs to consider public policy around the freedoms of individuals with significant disabilities.
I recently read a newsletter and the opening article addressed this issue here is an excerpt from APSE Connections newsletter lead article “Pushing for Policy to Promote Self-Determination: part II by. Serena Lowe, M.P.H.

“The United States has come a long way since the days when institutionalization was the dominant way of addressing the needs of adults with significant disabilities. However, additional public policy reform is required before these individuals have the same opportunities to determine their destinies with respect to working, generating an income, building savings, and pursuing goals that the general population enjoys. The key problem lies not in a lack of money — but in the significant inequities that exist in the distribution of financial support and services for this population. As a result, thousands of individuals with disabilities continue to live in institutions, nursing homes, and other residential facilities despite their ability and desire to live in partially- or fully-independent situations. Family support and integrated employment programs receive limited funding, and, individuals are often penalized for working or saving by having benefits reduced or eliminated when they earn an income.

This problem will only get worse if something isn’t done. Within the next decade, another 500,000 persons with disabilities are expected to transition from youth into adulthood. Clearly, steps must be taken to ensure that these individuals receive the services and supports necessary to attain fulfilling, productive lives.” The article goes on to discuss the major areas that policy should address including employment. We are fortunate that in this state the Governor and policy makers have prioritized community services for young people with disabilities. But I believe it’s time to make this a national priority as we look at fiscal policy around this issue. As long as the primary source of funding comes from the Federal government and continues to encourage institutions, states are not going to take the leap even if they wanted to. If you think of all the advances we as a society have made in the last 50 years it would make sense to take this one step. Aren’t institutions so 20th century – isn’t it time to abandon these and focus on people living and working in the community?

What ARRA you Buying? The boondoggle ends!

I have given you an account of the state’s use of ARRA funds in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation that chose to use the 8.8 million dollars funding a program called Project H.I.R.E (Hiring Individuals with disabilities who are Ready for Employment). I had pointed out how the project fell well short of the goals set and the individual placement costs were staggering – over 10 times the cost of a “regular” placement using existing Community Rehabilitation Providers.


They spent roughly half of the 8.8 million to place less than 100 people into jobs. The leadership of DVR has decided to end Project HIRE and to divert the money to other areas. The State Rehabilitation Council has suggested four areas to bolster service to improve services but to date we haven’t been told were the money will be spent.

I must applaud the executive leadership of DVR for recognizing the shortcomings of the program and high cost associated with it. According to one of the leadership members of VR they apparently learned important lessons and built new partnerships. Let’s hope the next foray into a project won’t cost 4 million tax dollars before the lesson is learned.

I still ask where would you place your ARRA money if given the choice?

Stay tuned.

A celebration that was worth attending

I attended a celebration of life for Gene Winther on September 19th and came away with a greater appreciation for life and for the simple pleasures that make life worth living. Gene was 84 years old and he loved his job and loved to work. As a matter of fact at his last staffing we talked to Gene about retiring and he got very upset making it quite clear that he wanted to work and indeed that is what he did. Excited about his forthcoming trip to the San Juan’s with his bud Jack, Gene worked on Thursday prior to heading up to Seattle for the boat trip to Friday Harbor where he became ill. To be honest I didn’t have a lot of contact with Gene at the work site these last few years. I basically saw him at our picnic or holiday celebration. I do remember him greeting me when I visited him at work with his huge smile, shaking my hand and continuing on with his job, having met his social responsibility as quickly as possible but anxious to get back to work. According to those who gave an account of his life prior to my knowing him he led an extraordinary life, quite simply summed up as a cheerful giver.

During this service attended by 65 of his friends from programs such as Kokua, South Sound Options and Morningside many spoke of their friendship and love for the man who “worked hard all his life” who was a “friend of Morningside” and loved by all. The stories about Gene often included his friend Jack and many commented on how content he was with seemingly nothing but remembering that Gene said “I have it all… my friends and my work”. I was moved by many of those who spoke. One woman spoke of having a particular bad day and rushed to work all harried and a bit on edge. Gene asked her why she was out of sorts and she said she was having a bad day and he asked her why was that and how did that feel because he didn’t’ know what that felt like because according to him he never had a bad day in his life. Gene was a client of ours since 1967! For his 43 years at Morningside Gene’s desire was to work and enjoy life. We will miss you Gene.

Morningside Ride – 2010 Road Challenge

The Morningside Ride event held on Sunday, Sept. 19th was a big success. We had 48 cars run the route a big increase over last year’s 33 teams. At the finish, held at Lucky Eagle, the event room was filled with about 150 persons this year so that was very exciting. The Ride has grown quite a bit from last year and a lot more than the first year.


We want to thank our sponsors - Presenting Sponsor, Lucky Eagle Casino; Media Sponsor, 94.5 ROXY and the many additional corporate sponsors: Heritage Bank, Olympia Federal Savings, Titus-Will Cars, Coffee News, Color Graphics, The Law Offices of Harold D. Carr, First Citizens Bank, Chicago Title, McDonald’s, Olympics West Retirement Inn, Twin Start Credit Union, Wayne’s Ground Maintenance, West Coast Bank and Starbucks. We really appreciate the support of these companies without them our event wouldn’t be a success. I would also like to thank the many persons and companies who provided raffle prizes – too numerous to mention here.

A special thanks goes to Mike Marohn who wore many hats as a sponsor, awards MC and committee member. Also a big shout-out to Peggy Rogers our event Chair who did an outstanding job this year. I know I can’t mention everyone by name here but I appreciate all the work done by our army of volunteers – thank you very much.

If you haven’t participated in this event please consider it next year. It’s easy, fun and you are helping a great cause.

What ARRA you Buying? The folly continues……

I thought I would give you an update on the state’s use of ARRA funds in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation that chose to use the 8.8 million dollars “to provide services to 1,000 new DVR customers with disabilities and assist them in finding jobs in high demand, high wage occupations and new green economy jobs”. The program is called Project H.I.R.E (Hiring Individuals with disabilities who are Ready for Employment). “The Goal: full-time jobs (35+ hours per week) with benefits earning mid-to-high wages ($15/per hour depending on the area) in demand occupations – such as health care, information technology, green jobs, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, international trade, other stimulus projects”.

In my May 20th blog, I pointed out the $15.00/hour has been lowered substantially as has the placement expectations and the target job areas and also reported out the abysmal results.

So where are we at? So let’s look at the current scorecard.

Goal                                                                                 Results

June-December 2009 – 200 persons placed in jobs          Outcome 6 people placed – 93 clients in plan

January – June 2010 – 200 persons placed in jobs            Total 93 persons placed

July-December 2010 – 300 persons placed in jobs

January – June 2011 – 300 persons placed in jobs

Let’s see they spent the first $2.0 million (on the initial 6 people placed) and then another $1.5 million or a total of $3.5 million for the 90 or so clients. That’s running about $38,000 per case. Oh the folly doesn’t stop there they want to add an additional $50,000 per contractor and keep the program running adding to the already bloated program costs.

Keep it going? Are you kidding me? 93 people placed out of the 400 expected at an average case cost of $38,000 what is going on there?

Who is keeping an eye on this? The State Rehabilitation Council asked for an independent review of the plan – not happening. I wonder why?

According to my records Morningside placed 88 individuals into jobs vs. the 93 these other contractors placed and these were individuals who happen to be substantially more disabled than the Project HIRE folks. Given adequate resources and the same level of clients targeted in this program we could have placed substantially more than 93 at far far less money.  Our reimbursement rate would have been approximatly 10% of what it costs the state and Federal government in Project HIRE.

Where would you place your money if given the choice?

Like I said this past spring I am certain that President Barack Obama isn’t a follower of my blog and has no idea that these funds are being squandered but I would bet that he would be disappointed in how “Obama bucks” as the press terms these funds are not being utilized to the maximum extent possible and that the dream of 1,000 jobs being secured in demand occupations such as health care, information technology, green jobs, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, international trade, other stimulus projects was just that a dream.

Sad News

We just learned that Mike Balcom passed away unexpectedly and while we don’t usually publish such news I felt that since Mike was the face of a Morningside client, we should let our community know of this news. Mike was on the cover of the Voice, the Thurston County Chamber’s monthly newsletter. When the Chamber wanted someone personifying working I thought of Mike with his great 100 watt smile and had to take his picture. Mike loved working at Red Robin (see picture), in part I believe, is the fact that he could get a hamburger, one of his basic food groups. Many of us remember Mike showing up at our old location off 14th avenue after his shift at Red Robin with a huge burger in hand and plunking in change or sliding dollars into the pop machine retrieving his favorite soda – his other basic food group, and smiling broadly showing off his gastronomical bounty. Mike will be missed but he will be long remembered.

Disability Fraud

At Morningside we work mostly with the 15% - that is the majority of those we serve were born with or their disability occurred before age 18 verses acquiring it through trauma, disease, etc. at a later age. So when I read or see reports that show someone “claiming” to be disabled to work the system it annoys me. No it does more than merely annoy me it totally ticks me off.


Twice in the past month, I have either read or viewed video of individuals taking advantage of the system, claiming they have a disability and can’t do anything to gain a higher pension or not work and live off whatever they fraudulently gained through insurance claims or suing the government. I actually read that in one municipality back east over 30 percent of employees getting ready to retire claim to be disabled to garner a bigger retirement check. Apparently the workgroup that is the biggest abuser are the fireman which leads me to the second story I saw.

I regularly peruse online newspapers and recently clicked on a video of a “disabled” fireman who had won a huge settlement with a municipality claiming to be severely injured on the job and was filmed doing some pretty amazing physical things unbeknownst to him by a hidden camera.

What’s with firemen and civil employees and claiming disability? What is in their subculture that permits this type of behavior is acceptable and is an appropriate thing to do? If we want to reform government why don’t we start here?