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DISABILITY RIGHTS CENTER
The Protection & Advocacy Agency for People with Disabilities in Arkansas
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DRC to Governor: Close Booneville

In a press conference June 22, DRC called on Governor Beebe to close Booneville Human Development Center. Read the press release, the troubled history of Booneville HDC, biographies of the speakers at the press conference, syllabus of the Olmstead decision (1999), and the DRC position paper on developmental disabilities.

The prepared remarks for the press conference for speakers Dana McClain and Dee Blakley are available to download in PDF format.

Local Media Coverage:

Also of importance are the DRC Rights Poster (also en español), and the DRC brochure.

Institutions

Pursuant to federal law granting authority to protection and advocacy (P&A) systems, DRC monitors care and treatment provided to people with disabilities in a variety of institutional settings in Arkansas.  Some of those institutions are listed on this page, with links to complaints filed and/or investigated by DRC, state regulatory agencies and federal agencies such as the United States Department of Justice.

DRC believes that Arkansas still has considerable progress to make in ensuring the rights affirmed to individuals with disabilities in the Olmstead v. L.C. decision. Read the DRC position paper on developmental disabilities.

In March of 2010 the Arkansas Support Network published a position statement concerning the closure of one of the six Human Development Centers operated in Arkansas within one year. Read the ASN position statement.

DOJ vs Arkansas

The US Department of Justice has filed suit against the state of Arkansas claiming the State has failed to adhere to the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act by segregating individuals with developmental disabilities, and failing to provide community-based supports and services. To read a chronology of the on-going case, including events that led up to the filing, visit:
http://www.arkdisabilityrights.org/doj-arkansas.html

Conway Human Development Center

The Conway Human Development Center (CHDC) is located on a 409-acre site in the city of Conway. As of June 2005, of the 521 people receiving services, all have a primary disability of mental retardation (95% had profound or severe retardation). Also, of those persons receiving services, 116 are of fragile health. Residents at Conway range from 8 to 69 years of age, with 36 school-aged children receiving educational services. Estimated daily cost per client: $330 ‡.

The superintendent of the Conway Human Development Center is Calvin Price.

For more information, see the website: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Conway%20HDC%20Main%20Page.html

  • 4/21/2004: Findings of the CRIPA complaint against CHDC
  • 1/17/2008: Complaint Survey
  • 2/26/2008: Revisit survey
  • 4/30/2008: Complaint Survey
  • 1/16/2009: US DOJ Complaint, Case 409-cv-00033-WRW
  • 2/17/2009: US DOJ Complaint, Case 409-cv-00033-WRW, Answer and Affirmative Defenses
  • 5/7/2009: Recertification Survey
  • 3/9/2010: US DOJ Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Case 409-cv-00033-JLH
  • 3/9/2010: US DOJ Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Case 409-cv-00033-JLH
  • 4/7/2010: Denial of Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Case 409-cv-00033-JLH
  • 5/5/2010: US DOJ Motion to Dismiss preperatory to filing a comprehensive Statewide ADA complaint, Case 409-cv-00033-JLH
  • 5/5/2010: US DOJ Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Motion for Motion to Dismiss, Case 409-cv-00033-JLH
  • 5/6/2010: US DOJ Lawsuit vs State of Arkansas for systemic violations of ADA, Case 410-cv-00327-SWW
  • 5/28/2010: US DOJ request to consolidate part of Conway suit into a seperate state suit is denied, Case 409-cv-00033-JLH
  • 6/8/2010: State employee at Conway HDC accused of murdering girlfriend; arrested, fired after only four hours on the clock because his availability to work was in question.
  • 7/11/2010: Price tag in center fight seen growing, $1.59 million spent in Conway battle.
  • 7/14/2010: Recertification Survey (recommending termination)
  • 7/27/2010: Approval of action plan
  • 7/27/2010: Approval of variation request
  • 8/6/2010: Approval of remedy

Alexander Human Development Center

The Alexander Human Development Center is located on Highway 111 in Saline County. The facility serves 111 males with mental illness as well as developmental disabilities. Clients at the Alexander HDC range from 18 to 68 years of age. Estimated daily cost per client: $275 ‡.

The superintendent of the Alexander Human Development Center is Charlie Green.

For more information, see the website: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Alexander%20HDC%20Main%20Page.html

  • 9/15/2008: Complaint Survey
  • 10/23/2008: Revisit survey
  • 1/21/2009: Recertification Survey
  • 5/14/2009: Revisit with Complaint Survey
  • 2/19/2010: Complaint Survey
  • 5/12/2010: CMS-2567 Statement of Deficiencies
  • 5/17/2010: Letter of Cancellation from DHS Office of Long Term Care
  • 5/18/2010: Governor Beebe seeks closure of Alexander Human Development Center.
  • 5/19/2010: Alexander Human Development Center to close
  • 6/3/2010: State asks care providers to step in, hopes to move everyone out of Alexander within a year.
  • 6/4/2010: Board approves Alexander closure.
  • 7/5/2010: First of 108 leave Alexander center.

Arkadelphia Human Development Center

The current capacity of the facility is 134 and serves adults with a primary diagnosis of mental retardation. The facility accepts admissions and respite placements of people eighteen years of age or over who have graduated from high school or have a certificate of completion from public school. Estimated daily cost per client: $260 ‡.

The superintendent of the Arkadelphia Human Development Center is Margo Green.

For more information, see the website: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Arkadelphia%20HDC%20Main%20Page.html

Booneville Human Development Center

The Booneville Human Development Center has a licensed capacity of 159 beds. As of October 2005, Booneville HDC serves 142 adults with developmental disabilities. Eighty-one percent of the residents are also diagnosed with mental illness. The residents at the HDC range from 18 - 68 years of age. Estimated daily cost per client: $265 ‡.

The interim superintendent of Booneville Human Development Center is Jeff Gonyea.

For more information, see the website: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Booneville%20HDC%20Main%20Page.html

  • 8/16/2007: Survey for Participation in the Medicaid (Title XIX) Program
  • 8/20/2008: Survey for Participation in the Medicaid (Title XIX) Program
  • 1/15/2009: DRC files complaints with Office of Long Term Care
  • 1/15/2009: DRC files complaints with Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator of Developmental Disabilities Services
  • 7/23/2009: DRC files CRIPA complaint with US Department of Justice alleging abuse and neglect in Arkansas Human Development Centers for individuals with Developmental Disabilities
  • 7/28/2009: Complaint Investigation Survey for Participation in the Medicaid (Title XIX) Program
  • 10/14/2009: Recertification Survey
  • 1/6/2010: Revisit survey
  • 3/18/2010: Complaint survey
  • 5/28/2010: Complaint survey (choking death on 5/23/10)
  • 6/17/2010: Former state tuberculosis sanitorium, which now houses the Booneville HDC, turns 100 this year.
  • 6/22/2010: In a press conference, DRC calls on Governor Beebe to close Booneville Human Development Center. Read the press release, the troubled history of Booneville HDC, biographies of the speakers at the press conference, syllabus of the Olmstead decision (1999), DRC Rights Poster (also en español), and the DRC brochure.

Jonesboro Human Development Center

The Jonesboro Human Development Center in Northeast Arkansas serves children and adults with developmental disabilities, ranging in age from 18 to 61 years of age with a large portion of its clientele having severe or profound developmental mental retardation. Estimated daily cost per client: $260 ‡.

The superintendent of the Jonesboro Human Development Center is Forrest Steele.

For more information, see the website: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Jonesboro%20HDC%20Main%20Page.html

Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center (Warren)

The Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center (SEAHDC) in Bradley County is the smallest of the six residential human development centers in the state. SEAHDC has the residential capacity to serve 72 persons. Estimated daily cost per client: $275 ‡.

The superintendent of the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center is Judy Adams.

For more information, see the website: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Southeast%20HDC%20Main%20Page.html

Arkansas State Hospital

  • 6/6/2005: DRC publishes the report "Dirty Laundry: Investigation Report of Alleged Patient Abuse at the Arkansas State Hospital".
  • 6/21/2005: DRC publishes the report "Investigative Report of the Premature Death of (an Arkansas State Hospital Patient)".
  • 5/30/2008: Dedication ceremony for the new Arkansas State Hospital.
  • 11/15/2008: 3 fired, 3 suspended in state hospital suicide case.
  • 2/4/2009: State hospital staff faulted over suicide-try response.
  • 7/2/2009: 3 nurses back on job after firings. State Hospital's dismissals voided.
  • 7/8/2009: Backing fired nurses, panel cites murky rule.
  • 10/20/2009: Former nurse amends lawsuit.

 

‡ For the period of July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
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Disability Rights Center (DRC) • 1100 N. University, Suite 201 • Little Rock, AR 72207
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