November 7, 2008 |
2008-R-0610 | |
SOUTHBURY TRAINING SCHOOL | ||
| ||
By: Saul Spigel, Chief Analyst | ||
You asked for (1) the number of clients living at Southbury Training School (STS) and their disability level, (2) the staff-to-resident ratio at STS for the past 10 years, and (3) summaries of recent bills to close STS and their outcome.
CLIENTS
Four hundred ninety one (491) people currently live at STS according to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Most residents, as Table 1 shows, have profound retardation.
Table 1: Mental Retardation Level of STS Residents, October 2008
MR Level |
Abilities* |
# STS Residents |
Mild |
Can usually achieve enough social and vocational skills for self-support; may need guidance and assistance during times of unusual social or economic stress |
36 |
Moderate |
May achieve self-support by performing unskilled or semiskilled work under sheltered conditions; needs supervision and guidance when under mild social or economic stress |
68 |
Severe |
May contribute partially to self-care under complete supervision; can develop some useful self-protection skills in controlled environment |
105 |
Profound |
May achieve very limited self-care; usually needs nursing care |
282 |
* Source: Merck Manual
STAFF:CLIENT RATIO
Table 2 shows the ratio of direct care staff to STS residents for the past 10 years.
Table 2: Direct Care Staff: STS Resident Ratios, 1998-2008
FY |
Ratio |
FY |
Ratio |
1998 |
1.54:1 |
2004 |
1.57:1 |
1999 |
1.75:1 |
2005 |
1.59:1 |
2000 |
1.78:1 |
2006 |
1.65:1 |
2001 |
1.81:1 |
2007 |
2.08:1 |
2002 |
1.80:1 |
2008 |
1.59:1 (est.) |
2003 |
1.80:1 |
Source: DDS Annual Reports to General Assembly
Committees of Cognizance
STS CLOSING LEGISLATION
We could find no legislation proposed since 2000 to close STS, but five bills were proposed during this period addressing the school's declining population, one of which dealt with any potential sale of the property. Table 3 lists these bills and their disposition.
Table 3: Selected Bills Concerning Southbury Training School, 1998-2008
Bill #/Year |
Summary |
Disposition |
SB 427/1999 |
Study best methods of transitioning from use of STS, including best use of unused facilities |
Died in Public Health Committee |
SB 713/2001 |
Reallocate unused intermediate care facility/mentally retarded (ICF/MR, a Medicaid designation) beds at STS as community beds for use throughout the state |
Died on House calendar |
HB 6601/2003 |
Establish limited moratorium on sale of state property, specifically including STS, used as residence for people with mental retardation or mental illness |
PA 01-154, but moratorium as finally enacted was applicable only to community-based residences, thus excluding STS |
SB 409/2003 |
Same as above |
Died in Public Health Committee |
SB 947/2003 |
Permit DMR commissioner to transfer STS staff to community residential facilities as STS staffing needs decline |
Same as above |
SS:dw