At
the Department of Human Services Commission meeting on June 12, Commissioner Peck
gave a report about the resource centers for the developmentally disabled, which
contained some misconceptions about the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in
Pauls Valley. The facility is the lifetime home of many of its 124 residents.
OPEA members serve these special citizens who are challenged with serious
disabilities.
"Contrary to the report, SORC does have a vocational
program that serves the residents of SORC and several clients who live in the
community," said OPEA Policy Director Trish Frazier. "SORC has created several
small businesses to employ clients including a floral shop, recycling, a thrift
store, and other services."
"The report mistakenly indicates that SORC clients
receive their medical care at the emergency room of Pauls Valley Hospital,"
continued Frazier. "In addition to the nursing staff, SORC has a doctor and
nurse practitioner on contract, who look after the medical needs of the clients,
both for preventative and acute care. These professionals have praised the care
that the residents of SORC are receiving on a daily basis."
"The most critical flaw in the report by Commissioner
Peck is that it forces almost 80 of Oklahoma's must vulnerable citizens from
their homes in a little over a year," said Frazier. "DHS does not have the
funding or time necessary to develop resources for these clients to move into
community settings. Responsible transition takes months and individual
planning. In 2011, only five clients were transitioned from both
facilities."
Commissioner Peck's plan recommends that OKDHS pursue
approval for Northern Oklahoma Resource Center of Enid (NORCE) to become a
Federally Qualified Health Center serving the northern part of the state,
offering 'therapy services to the rural populations.'
"Both NORCE and SORC are located in rural areas that
could benefit from this vision," concluded
Frazier. "We hope SORC is given the opportunity to
develop into a true resource center providing the residents in southern Oklahoma
with the excellent services that are now available to residents of the
facility."
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