Community Now! Press Conference Tommorrow

Tomorrow, Community Now! has a press conference at the Capitol regarding the recent atrocities at Corpus Christi.  See below for details.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 15, 2008

 

Community Now!, a statewide non-profit organization promoting long term care reform in Texas by downsizing state institutions and fully funding the waiting lists for community services; will hold a Press Conference in front of the Governor’s Office, Wednesday March 18^th beginning at 10:00am. 

Community Now! will present a copy of a Complaint Letter to the Office of Civil Rights in response to the horrific abuse perpetrated against residents at Corpus Christi State institution. 

 

A letter to Governor Perry with a series of formal requests will also be presented at the Press Conference.  These requests will include: 

1. Immediate termination of the Commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS).
2. Immediately begin a national search for new leadership for DADS from another state with skills and abilities to facilitate long term care reform in Texas.
3. Immediate Appointment of a Conservator over all state institutions with the authority to do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety and civil rights of the individuals residing at state institutions; including a moratorium on admissions to state institutions.
4. Immediately direct the Conservator to close Corpus Christi state institution, ensuring residents have every opportunity to choose an alternate setting.
5. Immediately collaborate with appropriate Federal authorities to ensure the perpetrators of the crimes at Corpus Christi state institution are charged with Hate Crimes.
6. Support currently filed legislation that will ensure residents are safe at state institutions.
7. Support currently filed legislation that will reform long term care services for Texans with disabilities by downsizing the number of state institutions in Texas and re-directing resources to fully fund the waiting lists for community services.

Contact Jeff Garrison-Tate for further information at 830-556-2827.