ARC calls for Beatrice center to close

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By NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

A statewide advocacy group is calling for the closing of the Beatrice State Developmental Center and the resignation of all top state Health and Human Services System leaders.

The ARC of Nebraska’s call for action is a response to problems at the center discovered during a recent federal inspection, including the potential abuse of restraints and mishandling of abuse and neglect cases.

The state has until Oct. 26 to correct the deficiencies.

Gov. Dave Heineman said Monday he sees no reason to close the center, which has the support of relatives and the local community.

And he won’t consider calling for the resignation of Health and Human Services leadership, a suggestion he called an “overreaction.”

“The governor has shown his willingness to make changes where appropriate,” said Aaron Sanderford, a spokesman for Heineman. “And we will continue to evaluate the situation.”

Patty Smith, president of the ARC of Nebraska, said the state needs a plan to move people now from the center to local communities, and to close the institution in perhaps one or two years.

There are eight states — and the District of Columbia — without any institutions for people with mental retardation. And nine more are moving in that direction, she said.

The ARC,  a support and advocacy organization for people with developmental disabilities and their families, supports de-institutionalization — or the care of people in home communities and not in larger state institutions.

But the governor believes the center — serving about 370 people, mostly adults — provides an important service for  families.

“The facility has the overwhelming support of the families and the community. We see no reason to change on that point,” Sanderford said.

The ARC of Nebraska was part of a lawsuit in the 1970s that led to most people with mental retardation getting placed in community programs.

But another group of parents with adult children in the center opposed its closing.

A settlement allowed the state to maintain the Beatrice center.

Today, the center serves fewer than 400 people, while about 4,000 receive services through community programs. They generally live in apartments, group homes or their own homes.

The settlement gave parents and guardians a choice, said Health and Human Services spokeswoman Kathie Osterman.

“We believe that BSDC plays a valuable role and has the support of family and friends of people who receive those services,” she said.

The ARC of Nebraska also asked the governor to set up an advisory group  independent of the Health and Human Services System — to monitor all programs serving people with developmental disabilities. 

Its news release pointed to the recent closing of Transfiguration, a Lincoln company that provided care to about 130 people in Lincoln and Omaha.  

The company collapsed financially, even though state regulations require annual fiscal audits to ensure financial stability, the news release points out.

The state has a developmental disability advisory committee, and Health and Human Services leaders have asked that group to appoint an ad hoc subcommittee to work with the administration and staff on the Beatrice issues, Osterman said. 

“Changes are under way, and we are putting a plan in place so we can monitor the situation long term,” she said.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.

ARC of Nebraska recommends:

* Close Beatrice State Developmental Center and move clients to local community programs.

* Resignations from HHSS leaders, including members of policy cabinet — Christine Peterson, Dr. Joann Schaefer and Dick Nelson — and Rene Ferdinand, administrator of the Developmental Disabilities System.  

* Create independent oversight commission for needs of people with developmental disabilities.