State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs), formerly known as state schools, are outdated institutions that provide low quality but expensive care to Texans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Over the last decade, SSLCs have been the source of repeat offenses of abuse and neglect. Client numbers have declined while at the same time costs have skyrocketed.
Recently, the Austin American Statesman published a story of more low quality care, this time at the Austin SSLC. On October 28, the facility’s permit was put in “immediate jeopardy… [for] failure to monitor and identify serious medication side effects and adverse reactions.” Two of the administrators that authorized the use of the medications did not even remember doing so. One nurse who was on duty while the medication was being administered reported receiving no monitoring instructions.
This report adds to the mounting evidence that large state institutions are failing to offer the same attention and quality of care to their clients as the private community based settings. If a private care provider were to operate with such carelessness, they would undoubtedly be shut down and clients moved to facilities more conscientious in their care giving.
The state has tried multiple strategies for getting SSLCs back on track, including increased funding. Now it is time for legislators to follow the successful model provided by several other states and move its IDD population to the less expensive, higher quality, private community based settings.
– Spencer Harris