DD population needs help getting help

by Sen. Adam Kline and Rep. Mary Helen Roberts

Today, people with developmental disabilities are living in local communities, holding jobs and participating in full social lives. Although this is a wonderful change from the past, when they were hidden away in institutions, failures in their support systems can have tragic consequences. Many people with developmental disabilities also rely on 24-hour caregivers in community and institutional settings. When something goes wrong in those environments, it is often because of a failure in the system.

People with developmental disabilities, like others who rely on critical support for their daily living, often have no options when things go wrong. Too often, the systems set up to protect vulnerable populations don't work the way they should.

When the media report on stories of abuse and neglect, we collectively shudder and ask ourselves, how can anyone allow this to happen? Yet it threatens to become more common as tax-cutting initiatives cause personnel cuts and consequent caseload increases.

It's not only the shocking high-profile stories that demand our attention. Less shocking stories cause varying degrees of harm. When problems arise for people with developmental disabilities, they or their advocates need to be able to voice their complaints or concerns with an independent, impartial and confidential authority.

This year, we have introduced legislation to establish a DD ombudsman. We have strong lists of co-sponsors and are working hard to make it a reality. An ombudsman is a government official who hears and investigates complaints by private citizens against government agencies or service providers who receive funding from the state.

A DD ombudsman would be able to respond to complaints by or on behalf of the thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities who have no other recourse to resolve their concerns. He or she would ensure a process that leads to credible monitoring and review of complaints that could include health and safety concerns, unresolved disputes between individuals and service providers, policy and procedural concerns that compromise an individual's rights or quality of life, and any other issues not covered by investigative authorities who handle immediate safety concerns.

Many other programs that work with vulnerable populations already have an ombudsman, such as long-term care, children and family services, mental health and special education. Each program is unique, but all serve the essential purpose of providing oversight and review of complaints ranging from minor to severe.

The time to create an ombudsman for developmental disabilities is now. An ombudsman would almost certainly reduce the likelihood of abuse or neglect by identifying and acting on problems before they become serious.

The DD system is complex and multifaceted. It requires an ombudsman who understands the unique nature of DD concerns and can address the complaints related to policy issues and rules that currently go unaddressed. Because failures in the system often result in greater costs to individuals and the state, an ombudsman can also save tax dollars.

Before another tragic case of abuse or neglect makes headlines, it's time to take steps to ensure the safety of our vulnerable DD population and provide them with an outlet for seeking help.

Sen. Adam Kline, D-37th District, and Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, D-21st District, are prime sponsors of legislation to create a developmental disability ombudsman.

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