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* Background is here if you need it. Press release…
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) today announced a critical transformation initiative that will reshape the way the State approaches care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the system.
The comprehensive plan includes:
• Repurposing the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (“Choate”) over three years, including investing significantly in building and ground improvements, and
• Implementing new safety enhancements at Choate and across all State-Operated Developmental Centers including appointing a Chief Resident Safety Officer, and
• Expanding support for families and individuals to pursue opportunities for community-based living while continuing to invest in provider capacity.“Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve respect, dignity, and the highest quality of care to assist them in living healthy, fulfilling lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This transformation initiative, spearheaded by IDHS, will standardize and improve conditions across the system and prioritize community-based solutions to ensure vulnerable Illinoisans receive care in the best possible setting.”
In coordination with their families and guardians, most current I/DD residents at the Choate Center in Anna, Illinois will have the opportunity to transition into community-based settings or other State centers where they will receive comprehensive, personalized care.
The transformation at Choate moves Illinois in closer alignment with nationwide, research-informed best practices, with increased respect for human dignity and equity. It also reflects the State’s legal duty to ensure residents with disabilities have a full opportunity to live in the least restrictive environment of their choosing.
During the next three years, portions of the Choate campus will be repurposed to meet patient capacity and other urgent State needs. The 229-acre Choate campus currently also includes a psychiatric hospital, an IDHS local public benefits office, and two case processing centers. Related improvements and upgrades will be made to put the buildings and grounds to the best possible public uses for many years to come. Safe, gradual, carefully planned resident transitions will take place in close coordination with residents themselves, and their families and/or guardians. Resident well-being and dignity will guide every step of the process.
“All people with I/DD deserve opportunities to live, work, and thrive in the least restrictive setting of their choosing. IDHS is grateful to all of our partners, including family and resident advocates, SIU School of Medicine, the Illinois Council for Developmental Disabilities, and the Arc of Illinois, for working with us in good faith to build a system that better supports person-first, community-focused care for all people with disabilities,” said Grace B. Hou, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
While this initiative will be carried out over several years, IDHS is taking additional, immediate action to protect resident safety, including hiring ten new staff for the Office of the Inspector General and appointing Ryan Thomas as IDHS’ first-ever Chief Resident Safety Officer. Ryan brings extensive patient safety and regulatory compliance experience to the role, most recently serving as the IDHS Operations Program Manager, where she has led critical operational functions directly related to quality, safety, and healthcare. Prior, she served as the Director of Compliance and Risk Management at Erie Family Health Center.
IDHS is also partnering with the Illinois Council for Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) and the Arc of Illinois to launch a Resident and Family/Guardian Liaison Team to support families, guardians, and residents with questions and concerns about the change to provide peer support, resources, and friendship for those experiencing fear and/or uncertainty. This team will be meeting regularly over the next several years to ensure that all resident transition needs, regardless of setting, are managed holistically.
“The safety and well-being of the residents we care for is the cornerstone of our work. In the months and years ahead, we will do even more to ensure safe, dependable, and equitable care for those residing in IDHS’ 24/7 facilities,” said Ryan Thomas, Chief Resident Safety Officer, Illinois Department of Human Services. The transformation of the system will best position our residents for comprehensive care moving forward. As Chief Resident Safety Officer, I am committed to developing and carrying out a comprehensive approach to high-quality and safe care through continuous improvement in safety policies, assessments, systems, and processes.”
Over the last two decades, Equip for Equality, the State’s Protection and Advocacy Agency, the IDHS Inspector General, and the Illinois State Police have all been instrumental in reviewing abuse and neglect allegations at the Choate Center and making constructive recommendations to the State about the Center’s future.
“The IDHS OIG commends IDHS for recognizing that the status quo at Choate is not acceptable and for taking tangible steps to reduce abuse and neglect at the facility. OIG will continue to be a dedicated watchdog at Choate and throughout the state to ensure that the vulnerable populations OIG serve receive the respectful care they deserve,” said Peter Neumer, Inspector General, IDHS Office of the Inspector General.
While resident transitions will initially focus on Choate, IDHS will work to expand its emphasis on community-based settings across the developmental health system. With the investments included in Governor Pritzker’s FY24 budget proposal, IDHS will have increased funding to the Home and Community-Based System by $800 million. This brings total funding to $1.7 billion, nearly double from when the Governor took office. In the years ahead, IDHS will work to further expand community-based capacity which will result in a lowered resident headcount and improved staffing ratios at State centers.
This transformation is anchored by a partnership with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Led by Dr. Kari M. Wolf, CEO of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center, partners from SIU will help shape the transformation, leading on crucial operational components, including whether specialized I/DD forensic, step-down, and dual diagnosis units should remain on the Choate campus or be located elsewhere. Leaders from SIU Carbondale and the Springfield-based School of Medicine will provide ongoing expertise on the broader transformation.
“SIU School of Medicine’s mission is to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois. We are confident that through the leadership of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center, our clinical excellence, and our focus on the most vulnerable, we can serve the patients, families, and staff connected to the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. We are committed to a mental health workforce transformation across the state. That work begins by objectively assessing the safety, patient care, and workforce needs of Choate,” said Kari M. Wolf, MD, CEO, Behavioral Health Workforce Center.
Many quality improvement and safety precautions have already been implemented and are ongoing. This transformation will enable current residents to identify other State-supported residential options, including in the community and at other developmental centers.
“The transformation of Choate Developmental Center is the right next step in the State’s process of improving how services are delivered to individuals with significant needs. As the Chair of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities I am committed to ensuring an Illinois where all people have access to equal opportunity and freedom. We look forward to partnering with IDHS to meet the needs of Choate’s residents, now, during transitions, and into the future through quality, person-centered services that prioritize community inclusion,” said Stephanie Brown, Chairperson of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.
“Big changes are never easy – but I appreciate how Governor Pritzker’s team has approached this transformation effort. Some of our earlier concerns have been addressed and we are grateful that our voices have been heard. I believe Southern Illinois will be stronger for the improvements that are being announced today,” said State Representative Dr. Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona.
“I commend Governor Pritzker for taking strong, thoughtful, decisive action to improve Illinois’ system of care for people with developmental disabilities and serious mental illness. Together with residents, patients, families, guardians, and hardworking State government staff and healthcare providers, I am confident IDHS is beginning a new and positive chapter in the history of the Choate Center,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria).
The Division of Developmental Disabilities at the Illinois Department of Human Services operates 7 State-operated developmental centers across Illinois. These centers provide residential support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a variety of treatment programs/services, including but not limited to: educational, vocational, physical, and behavioral healthcare needs, and recreational. The Division operates three Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers serving over 24,000 individuals via adult community integrated living arrangements, child group homes, and child and adult home-based programs in addition to day programming and other ancillary services.
The Division of Mental Health at the Illinois Department of Human Services operates State-Run psychiatric hospital facilities across Illinois, including a smaller facility on the campus of Choate Developmental Center. These hospitals provide civil and forensic psychiatric hospitalization for individuals experiencing severe mental illness.
…Adding… AFSCME says it’s “concerned” about the residents…
In response to the proposed “transformation initiative” for the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 issued this statement.
“We’re extremely concerned about the fate of Choate Developmental Center residents and the employees who make Choate home for them,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said. “We intend to make certain that the well-being of the more than 200 residents of the Choate home is given the foremost consideration, now and in the future. AFSCME will work to protect the jobs of Choate’s dedicated and compassionate employees, and our union will continue our close alliance with the Friends of Choate family group to ensure that no resident is forced out of their home without their consent.”
…Adding… Sen. Morrison…
State Senator Julie Morrison released the following statement after the Illinois Department of Human Services released a comprehensive plan to improve care at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna.
“The state must take an aggressive approach to unravel and fix the ongoing issues at Choate. The quality of life of people with developmental disabilities has been ignored. We can no longer sit back and allow cruelty, abuse and poor care to overrun the facility.
“The multi-faceted plan rebalances the population served by moving some residents into less restrictive settings, such as Community Integrative Living Arrangement facilities. Hiring at least 160 new and professionally-trained staff and renovating the site for those residents who cannot live in the community are positive steps I support.”
“The plan outlined by the Department of Human Services is a good start. It is vital immediate action is taken to double down on safety precautions to ensure no other person is mistreated.”
…Adding… ACLU…
In response to the announcement by Governor JB Pritzker regarding changes at Choate Mental Health and Development Center, Heidi Dalenberg, Managing Legal Director at the ACLU of Illinois offered the following reaction:
The Governor’s announcement today regarding changes at Choate is a good first step. We fully support the smooth transitioning of people out of Choate who are living with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These individuals need to reside in the community, in the least restrictive setting possible. While this transition moves forward, we will continue to monitor efforts to ensure the on-going safety of those who remain at the facility. We hope this is just a first step toward ultimate closure of all state operated development centers in Illinois.
…Adding… IARF…
The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF), representing community providers of services for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses, today issued the following statement after the Pritzker Administration announced the repurposing of Choate Mental Health Center in Southern Illinois:
“We welcome the leadership decision made by Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services to repurpose Choate in light of the terrible and tragic media reports of abuse and neglect there of those with intellectual/developmental disabilities. We believe everyone has a right to live a life of dignity and to be safe and free from harm. These troubling reports made clear that decisive action was needed and justified.
We appreciate the Choate plan considers our recommendations to take the time necessary to work with our provider community going forward and to ensure residents can transition to the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.
This is a first step, and now our work must focus on ensuring the transition is made smoothly and appropriately. We also hope the public conversation around needs for the I/DD community is continuing, not ending.
Governor Pritzker’s statement appropriately notes investments our state has made to-date in community-based services, but that work is long from finished. We will be advocating for a $4 per hour wage rate increase for the direct service professionals (DSPs) who serve and support persons with disabilities in community settings. We need to fully fund the remainder of the Guidehouse rate study to provide support for long-term, sustainable quality care by community providers. We have to ensure our state regulations and policies governing the I/DD services provided at every level can best meet those people who have high-support needs – in our state institutions, and in the community settings.
We look forward to getting to work with the Legislature and Pritzker Administration to take these issues head on and to put the tragic stories of Choate in our past.”
…Adding… Sen. Fowler…
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) has released the following statement in response to the announcement of a partial closure at the Choate Mental Health and Development Center in Anna, IL:
“My priority has always been and will continue to be the residents of Choate and their families. They deserve nothing short of total transparency about this process and their options. While my heart goes out to the families and residents of the Choate Mental Health and Development Center, who will be forced to relocate, I remain committed to working with the Administration to ensure that all future action taken is in their best interest and care. We owe our most vulnerable nothing less.
…Adding… Sen. Gillespie…
State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement in response to the Illinois Department of Human Services’ plan to improve care and conditions at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna:
“I am pleased to see the state taking action to fix the ongoing issues at Choate. The residents of Choate deserve to live in a dignified and supportive environment.
“The three-year plan outlined by IDHS is a start. Implementing new safety measures, expanding support for individuals and their families to pursue opportunities for community-based living, and hiring additional staff are steps I support.
“I am encouraged by this proposed plan that prioritizes resident well-being and dignity. While this initiative will not be a quick fix, a comprehensive and research-based approach is needed to deliver dependable and equitable care moving forward.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 8:09 am
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Very positive development. Good for local community. Change the focus of choate.
Comment by Former State Employee Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 8:17 am
Maybe if AFSCME is so concerned about the residents they could stop protecting their employees who abuse them?
Comment by Lol Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 8:40 am
== Expanding support for families and individuals to pursue opportunities for community-based living while continuing to invest in provider capacity. ==
How wonderful! This is the key, the long-term solution to the current situation. When “institutions” are aligned with the goal of displacing residents into assisted-living facilities, and when assisted-living facilities such as group homes are aligned with the goal of transitioning residents into supervised living apartments, we are then on the road to establishing the least restrictive environments for a diverse population with diverse needs.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1972 was designed solely for this purpose - to assist citizens with special needs to live successfully in mainstream society, while supporting the ongoing needs.
My MS thesis focuses on Group Homes for the Developmentally Disabled (DD). I found that those home which operated as appendages to state institutions were not very successful, because they treated their residents as clients. This model differed little from the institutions at the time. Clients do what clients are told, with little motivation.
However, those group homes that were successful in helping residents transition, approached residence life as a family setting, as a communal organization. The residents were loved and felt love. This simple observation seemed to lead to residents wanting to learn, and wanting to please the counselors. They tended to try harder, learn more, and successfully transition into supervised living apartments.
I pray this new approach for Choate will be guided by the principle of helping people transition through these services, rather than keeping them dependent upon the services. Empathy and sympathy and love really do matter.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:16 am
AFSCME can’t get out of their own way.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:21 am
===We intend to make certain that the well-being…===
Yeah, I’m gonna stop ya right there, thanks.
A union that fought against Covid 19 vaccinations…
… there’s zero that this union can hang a hat on when it comes to any concern to any well-being, and further unions were created for the safety, well-being, and health of its members in the workplace.
It’s a disingenuous blurb. Sorry.
To the post,
I am very concerned for ALL attached to the facility, but the culture that needs to change may only come from this repurposing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:25 am
If AFSCME represented the staff in group homes they would be helping pack Choate residents up. Instead, they will once again show they care only about making sure their members continue to cash their paychecks.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:30 am
It’s a laudible goal to try and transition persons from Choate into community settings, but when the community system can barely sustain itself, is under staffed, under resourced, and is NOT taking in any new referrals, what will the Governor do?
Comment by PoliticIL Scientist Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:33 am
If AFSCME members right now run true to their past history during SODC closures/reductions, the DHS and Governor’s office staff are about to face a tsunami of verbal abuse, threats to their lives, and social media doxing. Moving forward on this transformation initiative is an incredibly brave move by DHS staff, many of whom are survivors of that past abuse. They really are stepping forward to do the right thing. Everyone at AFSCME is honestly tarred with that legacy of vile behavior. DHS is on the side of the angels on this. The main players that will make this work however, are Illinois’ legislators—-only if they fully fund state developmental disabilities services, will this work. It’s on you, electeds.
Comment by Quill Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:59 am
I don’t think the state pays enough for me to be willing to publicly pretend that the patients who entered the facility voluntarily have better options for care. Pretending like the decision to close the facility won’t have negative impacts on those patients in the long run is a special kind of dishonesty and is more about gaslighting people into the idea that there are no negative outcomes to this decision for the patients.
I would certainly appreciate if the Pritzker Administration could list what they believe the problems are at Choate and explain why they believe they are unable to fix or adequately address them.
Families seek placement for patients at Choate because the facility is the best available option. The Pritzker administration is cutting a vital service and trying to whitewash the impact. The Governor’s failed. They should acknowledge the failure.
None of those PSA salaries are enough to buy my moral conscious off enough to take that position publicly.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 10:22 am
- I would certainly appreciate if the Pritzker Administration could list what they believe the problems are at Choate -
Are you unable to read the extensive content about this that has been posted right here on the blog you’re commenting on? Apparently not if you’re defending the revolting behavior of the Choate staff to take a shot at Pritzker.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 11:06 am
Color me skeptical. Until abusers lose jobs, benefits, and/or end up in cuffs I see regression to the mean. The Governors good intentions will temporarily help but without improved legal protections, I expect to hear of more abuse in the near future.
Comment by Stormsw7706 Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 11:15 am
I think this is a good plan, except that, in the case of Choate and the youth housing story also mentioned today - there isn’t enough “there” to send the people to. Not enough group homes, certainly not enough youth housing, which is why they are stuck in mental hospitals for a year instead of being released. If you’re going to move them, they had better first have enough places to be moved *to*.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 11:54 am
It gets buried in the more important issues of this situation, but I think it’s also important to call attention to the governors response to the reporting which was relentlessly letting the public know there was a problem.
The governor more or less thanked the press for the coverage, and stated it was an important job they had done. He didn’t try to shoot the messenger.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 1:30 pm
Since the union is more of an outlander at that section of the State, why not privatize Choate (if necessary). A private employer wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) tolerate the abuse of the residents.
Comment by Appears Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 3:38 pm
@Appears—privatization is not better. Have you met the nursing home industry?
Comment by Quill Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 4:51 pm
Change at Choate is much needed. But please remember employee performance & behavior is the product of training, investment & supervision. IDHS indicates that they strongly support the current administration. For those following this saga, three of those Administrators were charged with felonies for obstructing the investigation of the same abuse detailed by the media. Will this IDHS endorsement of the status quo result in change? My vote is “Not Likely”. AFSCME is culpable as well.
Comment by Eyes Wide Open Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 8:32 pm
I run a community based agency supporting people with developmental disabilities. We will gladly have residents of Choate into our small group homes within a community. The extra money the administration is talking about has already been pledged in the FY 24 budget to increase direct care wages for existing staff in our homes. The rate increases are effective January 1 so the FY23 appropriation is 6 months that must be annualized in FY 24 plus an additional wage increase agreed to for 1/1/24 to be annualized going forward. The new money pledged is like a shell game.
It costs well over $275,000 a year to house someone in a state institution while we can provide individualized and humane care for less
Comment by Suburban Service Provider DS Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 9:22 pm
Very strong set of announcements today from Governor JB. Not simple lip service. Some bipartisan support. Credible academic partners. Good for Illinois - time to lead on these vexing healthcare issues. Hopefully it brings lasting improvements to mental health treatment for the least and last.
Comment by Garland Merryl Wednesday, Mar 8, 23 @ 11:33 pm