Kulongoski wants reform of care for disabled

SALEM – Gov. Ted Kulongoski wants a quick fix in how Oregon cares for people with developmental disabilities. He and key lawmakers say it will be a priority in February’s legislative session.

The Oregonian reported earlier that at least one of every five adult clients in state-licensed foster or group homes has been seriously abused or neglected since 2000, the year the state closed the residential Fairview Training Center.

Advocacy groups have demanded meetings with state Department of Human Services officials to determine how to reduce frequency of abuse.

The state cares for about 4,200 adults with conditions such as autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy in 1,100 group and foster homes. About 16,000 developmentally disabled Oregonians receive various state services.

Oregon Department of Human Services Director Bruce Goldberg said Kulongoski asked him to fast-track a computerized registry to weed out abusive caregivers.

The state had planned to ask the 2009 Legislature for funding.

“We’re going to be working with the Legislature to do that in February,” Goldberg said.

Since Fairview closed more than 2,000 developmentally disabled adults were victims of abuses ranging from medical neglect to rape, beatings, thefts and improper restraints.

At least 14 died as a result.

In most cases state-paid care providers were found responsible. The newspaper identified more than 200 caregivers who were repeat violators.

Goldberg said the agency plans to increase fines and civil penalties for group and foster home operators who abuse or neglect clients.

Goldberg said his agency would like to require the state to notify clients, case managers and guardians of substantiated abuse.

Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, vice chairwoman of the House Human Services and Women’s Wellness Committee, said she will work to present proposals in the coming weeks. Gelser, who has a developmentally disabled child, said she supports a registry but also wants to improve recruiting and training.

Nearly seven in 10 group home workers quit within the first year, increasing costs for recruiting and training replacements.