Arkansas Legislators hear from families and VOR on importance of family decision-making and choice

On January 8, 2014, the Arkansas Legislative Council's Joint Hospital and Medicaid Study Subcommittee considered the value of Arkansas' Human Development Centers (HDCs), publicly-operated Medicaid Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. 

In addition to receiving presentations from the Directors of Arkansas' HDCs, expressions of support for HDCs and concerns about their future were expressed by ten family/guardian advocates, along with invited testimony from Darrell Pickney, President of the Families & Friends of Care Facility Residents (FF/CFR) (Jonesboro HDC), Jan Fortney, FF/CFR's Secretary (Conway HDC), and John Morris, an FF/CFR Member (Arkadelphia HDC). In support of this testimony, FF/CFR distributed a very helpful “What Legislator’s Really Need to Know” about HDCs handout and a compelling statistical presentation. 

Darrell also serves as VOR's Arkansas State Coordinator and the Subcommittee welcomed testimony from Tamie Hopp, VOR's Director of Government Relations & Advocacy: 

    "Central to VOR’s advocacy is the highest respect and deference to the individual choice – true person-centered planning – and where necessary, the input of families and legal guardians.  Here, where the Subcommittee is considering the value of Arkansas’ five Human Development Centers, the proper place to start is with the view of the families.  

    "In the case of Human Development Center residents, the input of families and legal guardians is vital to ensuring good care decisions. Over 83% of the residents have severe (18%) or profound (65%) intellectual disabilities and require the informed help of their families and legal guardians who know them best."