California: CASHPCR (statewide family association) testimony (2006)

2006

Testimony of Theresa DeBell, President, CASHPCR
Re: California Protection and Advocacy Incorporated (PAI) and State Council

Good Evening.  My name is Theresa DeBell, and I am the president of CASHPCR, which represents the families and friends of the 3, 000 residents of the California Developmental Centers.  Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Protection and Advocacy and the State Council.

Last week a PAI representative testified against replacing a kitchen at a developmental center that was inadequate to deliver meals to the residents, with numerous health code violations, including the presence of vermin.  She testified that the money would be better spent providing a less restrictive environment for the residents.  This would be rather difficult to manage for those residents with forensic placements, and does not address the fact that the residents are entitled to receive proper and safe nutrition services.

Last year, PAI gave testimony in opposition to a bill that would have required mandatory and low cost fire sprinkler systems to be installed in board and care homes.  PAI’s issue was that passage of the bill might decrease community beds and therefore might cause some persons to remain in an institution.  Their message was:  It is better to burn to death than to be in a congregate setting.

Where is the Protection and Advocacy part of PAI?   PAI in California seems very selective about when and where they fulfill that mandate, at least in regard to residents of congregate settings.

Specifically:

1. PAI often attempts to disrupt services by attacking congregate care, but not, as seen in the examples above, to provide support for even the basics of safe food and shelter.

2. PAI is not open to Board representation from groups with differing care perspectives

4.  PAI uses open-ended litigation tactics supported by federal funding to bully and intimidate those whose opinions diverge from that of PAI philosophy.

It is very difficult to have respect for such an organization.