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GoogleThe meeting at Saline County Ambulance District No. 3 headquarters, facilitated by state Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall, was attended by more than 35 people. It was the second meeting called to explore solutions to the problems, Aull said.
 Mary Fangmann, superintendent of the Marshall Habilitation Center, speaks Thursday, Oct. 22, to a group of Marshall residents who called a meeting to express concern about the concentration of group homes for developmentally disabled people. Residents said traffic and noise problems were caused by too many group homes located in too small an area, especially on Marshall's north side. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
The number of group homes for developmentally disabled people have increased in Marshall in recent years, part of a national trend toward housing people in the "least restrictive environment" possible, according to care providers.
Mary Fangmann, superintendent of the Marshall Habilitation Center, said MHC sponsors 15 homes. Another care provider said her organization sponsors five, but the total number in the city was not mentioned.
She took the opportunity, too, to clarify the nature of impending changes at MHC, which will be moving to a more group-home-type setting for many of its clients, noting that most clients will remain on campus.
She explained that only clients who want to live in an off-campus group home, whose families or guardians agree and who are deemed capable of handling the situation are allowed live in a group home in the community.
Most of the residents at the meeting said they had no quarrel with the existence of the homes in their neighborhoods but were concerned about two problems -- the concentration of homes in relatively small areas and the increased traffic and noise from some homes.
Connie and Bill Rieth, who started the process by calling the first meeting in September, said they became concerned after building a new home less than two years ago on North Brunswick Avenue and later finding five group homes had been established in their immediate area.
Connie Rieth noted that two homes on either side of theirs are vacant.
"If group homes come in, we'll be completely surrounded," she said.
Lynn Maggard, case manager for the Missouri Department of Mental Health Central Missouri Regional Office, said her office could help local care providers coordinate their efforts.
"We can make a conscientious effort not to put any more group homes in your neighborhood," she said.
Aull asked Maggard to look into the possibility of the regional office serving as a coordinating agency, possibly developing a map plotting group home locations, which would aid care providers' to spread homes out further.
A few residents mentioned they were worried about safety issues and asked for explanations about how group home residents and staff members are selected.
Care provider representatives at the meeting explained the hiring, training and oversight procedures they use for selecting staff and the criteria followed for selecting residents. They urged residents to contact them immediately whenever a problem occurs.
Maggard and Ellen Lance, director of operations for Rogers Community Services, passed out business cards to anyone who wanted one. Lance said she was available any time to work with residents to iron out problems at the homes she supervises.
Fangmann, too, emphasized MHC's efforts to be a good neighbor and work with the community.
"Don't underestimate us," she said. "We wouldn't be in this business if we didn't care."
Rieth said she was encouraged by the meeting and felt the care providers had taken seriously the residents' concerns.
Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net
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Seagar,
Um..... now that is a petty complaint!
I have a couple of comments... first I understand that the Duplex south of Yerby on Lincoln is now a group home...I have no problem with that if they would just close the garage doors on occasion!
I'm not certain why employees park in the garage and leave the door open all the time.
Jownby,
It is unfortunate that you believe that you saw individuals from the locked Forensics Unit at our local Wal-Mart... did you call local law enforcement? Please explain in detail what you saw that led you to believe that who you are referring to were from Forensics.
granny08,
I would suggest, other than wikipedia/yahoo, to utilize different references for terminology definitions. wordnetweb.princeton.edu is one example of a reputable website.
JOwnby,
Whatever. Karma is real. In the end you get back what you put out. So if people want to be that way towards "those people" so be it. The consumers at MHC are human and they deserve to have a nice home just as any one of us without having to have a town meeting about where they are living. Shame on all who have a problem with it.
Have a good day!!
granny08
The discussion of the forensics patients is relevant to the numerously posted, off-topic statements. Additionally, karma is a fairytale that aids in continuing concealment of the truth; chance/human intervention.
JOwmnby,
What about the so-called "normal" sex-offenders????? They LIVE in the community and you are not saying anything about that!?!? Regardless this is about people with disabilities living in the comfort of a real home! That is EVERYONE'S right last I checked. People need to know this can happen in the blick of an eye to a completely "normal" person AND their families.
And with that, I will pass!!
I really need to stop beating my head against the wall.
Wow. Thank you for clearing that up. Now we all know that you have a photographic memory, study the sex offender list for hours and really don't know what you are talking about. Thank you for your uneducated input!
kkmom,
They could not pay me enough to work for MHC. As stated before,(and for whatever reason you have problems comprehending this)in viewing the information on the Missouri Sex Offender Registry, it's fairly obvious who some of the forensic patients are. I found it rather informative, and disgustingly amusing, to filter by county rather than city/town.
Jownby
If you are aware of a situation that you are describing then you should have reported that to the superintendent. You must work at MHC or have in the past or you would not know which consumers are forensics. If you currently work there then you know the rules and know you should report it.
Except the sarcastically proposed one, there were no assumptions made on my part. However, and resulting from the argumentative statements provided, I'll assume the three forensics patients were not supposed to be in Wal-mart; eying little girls, giggling, and talking amongst themselves. Especially given that the only staff member present, was obviously inadequate in consideration for 1 on 1.
Other than yearning to explain the terms: self-fulfilling prophecy, lynch-mob mentality, and filtering; I do not have the patience to continue playing your, retort counter-retort, charade.
workwithdisabled,
thank you for helping to shed some light on a subject that this individual obviously does not understand.
Jownby,
You either work at the MHC and don't understand the forensic program, or you don't work at the MHC and are making assumptions about the forensic program and the careful steps that are taken WITH COURT INVOLVEMENT and APPROVAL to allow certain individuals to go into the community with 1:1 supervision. And either way, I would bet money that you are exagerating about a group of the individuals giggling over the girls. If this were to happen the 1:1 supervisor would take immediate action to remove the individual from the situation and that particular individual's right to be in the community would be severed until more training and another COURT INVOLVEMENT and APPROVAL for community involvement was approved. If people would just speak from facts rather than assumptions and misunderstandings everyone's life would be easier and more open mindedness would occur.
granny08,
It's not overly difficult, try putting your glasses on. Additionally, who is this "one" character that people constantly refer to?
Jwonby,
There are many males at MHC. I am just curious how one could tell the difference?
Being registered sex offenders due to having been found guilty of crimes against children, I assumed they were forensics patients.
That is the address of the entire facility. Maybe they were MHC consumers but not forensic consumers.
kkmom,
You need to check again. Maybe they were not supposed to be there, but I am aware of three individuals that reside at 700 E. Slater, that have frequented Wal-mart while under MHC's supervision.
JOwnby
I must say on that point you don't know what your talking about. It is not possible for you to have seen those consumers talking amongst themselves and giggling while looking at little girls because they don't go there!
Regarding the comments pertaining to the locked forensics unit, and although those individuals may not be allowed to come and go as they please, they are out in our community. I used to see the forensics from 700 E. Slater at Wal-mart; looking at little girls, giggling, and talking amongst themselves.
BDawk4Prez,
Well said!!!
It is true most of the individuals receive govt funding which is payed for by taxpayers. They are trully disabled! We taxpayers pay for lots of people who are "disabled". You should hang in the ER and see all of the visits the taxpayers pay for!
Mrs. Reith,
We just took a poll from many of the residence in your neighborhood and they are asking that you not live by them. They give no reasons of merit, much like you have done, but just feel you should go elsewhere.
How does that make you feel? What's the difference in the two?
I really hope that one day you can see the big picture. If not, I hope you quit trying to stop others from being able to.
Wow.....
Not really sure what else to say.
These people have the right to live with as little restriction as you and I, and should have their own informed choice on the matter.
To those who are complaining, did you have the right to chose where you wanted to live? Did you ask the neighbors permission before you did?
Traffic? In Marshall? I have seen Marshall streets at their busiest and if you think that is traffic then you are terribly mistaken. So you have to wait a few extra seconds to pull out of your driveway or something? Give me a break.
And the surrounded quote is what kills me. Surrounded by what exactly. Surrounded by individuals that are in one of the most vulnerable populations out there? Surrounded by individuals who have little to no say on the individuals who come into their homes and care for them on a daily basis. Individuals that have no choice but to put trust in their community to help their independence grow>
Reith should be ashamed, and many others on here as well.
Karma!!!!!!!!
I stand corrected.......As very few in here own up to I do however admit when I am wrong..... My only concern is not with the clients, but the possibility of children being hurt..... I will just take care of mine and look out for others in a positive way!!!!
Thank you for correcting me!!!
The comments by cmasretire and sgates79 regarding the method by which these independent supported living homes are funded is correct in that the funds are provided in the name of the individual residents. However, to say that they pay their own bills is a bit disingenuous, simply because the concept of someone paying their own bills carries with it the implication that they have done something to earn their own money, which most, if not all, the residents of these homes have not. The funds that pay for these homes comes from the taxpayers.
hey IPOH 700 E Slater is a locked Forensic unit at the Hab center-- not a group home that allows their residents to come and go as they please-- the people that have been placed in the community are not the horrible people you portray them to be -- the sex offender list that shows every one at 700 E Slater is the LOCKED FORENSIC UNIT-- please educate yourself before you start bashing these wonderful people-----
WOW,
Just exactly the response I expected. 700 E. Slater........check it out!!!!
EXACTLY, MarshallMOgal!!!! A kind word, friendly smile and you have become their friend instantly. The consumers love to talk about going shopping, having a cake for their birthday or what they see when they go to a parade. They share and enjoy their lives. Their housemates and regular staff become like their "family" in nearly every way. And they have real pride in their homes.
No matter what is said here, there will be people who won't change their mind. They are the ones losing out. The consumers I don't feel sorry for, those people with closed hearts and minds I certainly do.
Sgates49 has provided accurate information regarding funding for room and board expenses--each person residing in the homes discussed pays for their own rent, utilities, food and other personal needs from their own assets. Funds for services/supports provided come from a combination of tax dollars and federal Medicaid dollars, and services provided are based on the individual needs of each person served. Persons interested in more specifics of how contracted provider agencies and their services are funded, monitored and certified through the State of Missouri could contact the Center for Human Services (case management provider) or Central Missouri Regional Office (state monitoring entity).
As far as I know the consumers who live in waiver homes (homes in the community) pay for them (rent, utilities, groceries, etc.) out of their own funds - just like anyone else who is disabled and lives on their own w/ one exception they have staff there at all times to assist them.
Wow, you don't have a clue. I used to work in one of these group homes. My guys were wonderful sweet and caring men. Our yard was always mowed and our windows clean. No junk or cars in the yard. One employee's car in the drive and one state van in the garage. Noise? Never. Perfect neighbors I took my kids trick or treating there on Halloween. These men wouldn't hurt anyone. Give them a hug or a pat on the back and watch a smile grow from ear to ear. Shame on you for not wanting them as neighbors. Or "too many of them in one place" Next time build in the country.
I hate to say iam from Marshall. shame on you let me cry you a river.
IPOH,
Thank you so much for the laugh! Your comment in regards to your "insight into the situation" was probably one of the funniest things I have read in a long time. Thank you Eric for providing the readers with the accurate information...I sure do hope that IPOH is not one of your reporters!
Shame on all of you who are against people who have disabilities! In a blink of an eye it could happen to you, a member of your family...etc. I would have no problem with group homes in my neighborhood!
Ask people in Higginsville this town employs many group home residents at local businesses and have no problems with people with disabilities living in their neighborhood......Shame on YOU!!!! These people are not criminals!!! This is Discrimination and I hope the American Civil Liberties gets wind of this!!!!!!
I have always been under the impression that the state built several facilities to be more like homes on the MHC campus. Are these being used, or are the clients being moved to residential homes in the community. I don't have any problems with the clients, however I do have a problem if the homes that were built on the campus are not being used and the clients being housed in homes owned by individuals with the state paying their housing expense!! Wish someone who knows the correct answer would clarify this for me and others--Thanks
As Eric reiterated it is not about the individuals who are developmentally disabled and those of you who want to accuse these neighborhoods of discrimination "shame, shame shame". These homes are a business located in a residential area and when you are surrounded there is definitely noise and increased traffic. Just think about change of shift in three houses in a small area. When a lady said she had to move her bedroom that she had used for 36 years to the other side of the house because of the noise (obviously staff members)there is a problem people. There is no way to know who comes and goes when you are not there. The providers at the meeting were not aware and assured the people attending that they wanted to know about issues and would address them. So, don't try to make this about something it's not. Golfer, you obviously have issues of your own!
IPOH, not sure of what your "insight" is but it is very narrow.
I know first hand that consumers are monitored very closely. Only EXTREMELY isolated incidents are they out of staff's eyesight. Law enforcement is used when they are off grounds for their protection as well as those of the facility, not necessarily because of danger. For their own safety, every resource is used to make sure they return safely. Is every lost child escorted home by law enforcement considered dangerous?
I would worry more about children being around other individuals than the consumers. Where else is a person monitored and mentored so closely than those with trained, caring staff? You have no real clue.
Except for the comment of one particular individual (ahem IPOH) who doesn't know what they are talking about, I must say I am very proud of the rest of the posts on this topic.
I am familiar with these homes and these residents. There are NO residents in the community homes that fit IPOH's vile description "the most horrid sex offenders, violent rapists, and other unclassified people live in these homes"
I must say without a doubt, I would MUCH rather live in a neighborhood with several of these homes than in a neighborhood with the likes of IPOH or many of the other residents of Marshall who leave their homes in disrepair, junk all over the place, unmowed lawns, not to mention drinking, drugs, rowdy kids, the list goes on. At least with these group homes there are 24 hour staff who are caring and devoted, keep the homes very nice and supervize these individuals.
It is a shame that there are still members of our community and our country that would rather institutionalize all the less-fortunate, keep them isolated and out-of-sight where they cannot grow, develop relationships, and experience the same privelidges that our U.S. Constitution guarantees to EACH and EVERY citizen. To those of you who object, move to a communist country where these basic freedoms do not exist. Then you don't have to be "completely surrounded".
Within the heart of each community, EVERYONE belongs.
Golfer,
I wonder if MHC, or anyone chose to follow the HOA and built a "dream home" in the Rasse sub-division? Would this be accepted the the community?
One more thing, go obtain a sex offender list and do some looking..........you will be suprised.
I must start by saying "YOU PEOPLE" have no clue!! Granted there are numerous group homes in the Marshall area, people have no idea of the history of some of these clients living in these homes. I have insight into this situation. Some of the most horrid sex offenders, violent rapists, and other unclassified people live in these homes and on the MHC campus. They can't be in prision because of some "evaluation" deeming them unacceptable for penal institutions. More than a half-dozen times in the last year "clients" walked away from the MHC campus or group homes. Some were extremely violent people. MHC staff would not approach these "clients" without law enforcement presence. Many times they were taken into custody and transported back to MHC by law enforcement.
No danger or problem to the community???? HA, stop looking through rose colored glasses and think about a "client" coming to your home and RAPING or BEATING one of your children as they are coming home from school. Just think about this before you praise the idea of "least restrictive environment".
"Those people"...this type of discrimination is shameful. Would we be having a public meeting if a concentration of parolees or drug users moved in the area. Let's just gate the north side, make it a cooperative. Governing boards to decide who can live there. Background checks before you can rent or buy there.
Maybe if they met and interacted with "those people", they would see things differently. Or maybe not... Many of the consumers have lived in group homes in the community for a very long time. They shop, eat out, attend movies and events just as an ordinary citizen would. But they are extraordinary. And more open-minded than the "normal" people.
One final thought... You picked this neighborhood to build your dream home... Congratulations so did these folks!
First off, i live close to some of the group homes, and they are some of the cleanest homes and yards around. Yes there are a few more cars on the street or in the driveway, that happens when there are employees around. These homes are not "hangouts" for the general public and if they are being used as that the employees need to be fired. There is normally not clutter, toys or dogs at a facility group home. As for traffic and noise caused by these group home...you have got to be kidding, the residents in these homes do not throw parties or have company coming to visit, nor do they ride up and down the street on motorcycles or rev up their cars, they don't play their stereos until wee hours of the morning. Brunswick street is a freeway from Eastwood to Slater street, how is a group home causing anymore traffic than is already on there.
I don't remember anyone denying that they were a business during this meeting. The question was around the people living in the homes. Ellen Lance shared what she could share as a provider without neglecting the privacy of those in the agency. There were other providers not present at the meeting that would tell you all to shove it. It was undeniably the most ridiculous act of discrimination I have ever seen. People don't choose to have a disability. Similar to you people not choosing to be ignorant. You can't help it because you don't get the facts before you start running your mouths and judging people that can't take care of themselves.
And to question the staff, Many of those people have worked in health care all of their lives. Many of them have been working home health in your community for the elderly or for people with needs following serious injuries. You know thank goodness they are willing to do this kind of work.
The lady from the State spoke very well and knows her stuff. She appeared to be annoyed by some of you. It is too bad that she couldn't educate you all of some of the things I am sure she has seen people go through.
Typical Marshall.. Known for discrimination of our teachers and our developmentally disabled people... what is next?
I wish I could have been at the meeting. I've no problems with the patients who are living across the street from us but with the people taking care of them.I was watching tv one afternoon when a vehicle pulled in the drive the man got out went in came out with a tv put it in the back of his vehicle and left. On average 8 to 10 vehicles come and go during the day and thier not employees.Now the police go by on a daily basis. Its alittle frightning. Another house around the corner from us belonged to a friend of mine and it was a very beautiful home. In the last 2 years I've watched the house slowly deteriorate.Toys, old mattress,garbage cans always out in the yard
and a huge dog tied outside year round .It seems these places are being used as hangouts .
You know that feeling of embarrassment you have for someone that you see or hear do something completely and totally ignorant? That is the feeling that I had when I listened to what Mrs. Rieth had to say. I am ashamed to think that other individuals outside of our community will listen to her remarks, and think that her foolish and petty behavior reflects the thoughts and opinions of ALL citizens of this community. Regardless of her intentions, her attempt(s) to categorize other individuals within our community (disabled or not) is pathetic and very sad.
another thing to who ever it concerns I know the location of certain homes to be unnamed and undisclosed but really the traffic on Brunswick near the locations of these homes has not really increased. I can speak for one place in particular and what a few more cars parked there? wow big deal. However most of the homes are really quiet and there is not any neighborhood disruption. Heck most neighborhoods have more disruption from the children that live in them as well as the speeding vehicles down the street all hours of the night. Being a night time staff you see this kind of thing out the window. Never once do you see any thing going wrong. So let these people live the lives they choose to live. You get to live the life you want to live.
I sure hope she never has anyone in her family have any disabilities or that she would require any assistance with her own care as she ages! Then we can refer to her as someone we don;t want in our neighborhood... no that would be wrong and we all know right from wrong.. too bad she doesn't!! She could probably learn a thing or two from her new neighbors... social skills would be a good place to start!
How unfortunate that people feel as if persons with disabilities should be looked down upon so much that a meeting should be called to keep them out of neighborhoods. The people in these group homes need all the support that they can get and deserve better than that. Having a disability does not mean a person is not capable of becoming a valued member of our community. Shame, Shame, Shame!
What if the president was developmentally disabled? Oh wait wasn't it JKF's sister who was and started the movement for better standards of care for those with developmental disabilities... yep it sure was! I think that maybe we should find a nicer set of neighbors for "those people" with developmental disabilities. Maybe there should be a better screening process for the neighbors of the group homes to have to go through to make sure they are not self centered and more suitable... it would be horrible for "those people" living in the group homes to be exposed to such vile behavior.
I think I want to take a poll of how many people really don't mind that "those people... from.. the State School" live near by... then I want to take a poll of how many people really don't like those racist, hate mongering, discriminating, seem to believe that they are so much better than anyone else types of people living next door to them... I wonder which would have the most votes... hmmmm
Your right workingmom,
Not at all impressed by Ellen Lance - may have been well spoken, but her responses were deliberately carefully worded, and she was not straight forward until confronted on a couple of issues(i.e stating that the office was not located in the home and when it was pointed out that it was recently moved out of the home, then confirmed that was true. Also, denied that being a provider was a business until she was confronted that LLC was a business). Like I said, I was not impressed.
Wow-- way to take a group of people and try to segregate them-- gives flash-backs to a different era when people did not want certain colors moving into their neighborhoods-- "we'll be completely surrounded" how callous is that--
how about if you don't like your neighborhood than move-- obviously the group homes like it.
blah blah blah you act like these aren't people that are moving into these homes-- don't they have a right to live where they want to?