Facility for special-needs adults to close under gov's plan
BUCKLEY, Wash. -- Advocates of a state-run residential facility for the developmentally disabled say the governor is jeopardizing people's lives by putting the facility on the chopping block.
Supporters of the Rainier School gathered on Wednesday to fight Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal to shut down the school.
If the Legislature goes ahead with the governor's plan, the school will begin phasing out students next year and close its doors in five years. But parents and supporters of the school have vowed to fight that move.
Angie has been a resident at the Rainier School 32 years. She functions at the age of a 2 year old, and her father worries about the possible closure of the facility Angie has called home since she was 13.
"We don't just let our toddlers and our 2 year olds walk around the streets and get on buses and go to work; we take care of them. She requires a sheltered life," said father Bob Gee.
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, is leading a coalition to fight the governor's proposed closure of the school.
Parents of the adult residents say the trauma of a move could be too much for their children to take.
"I'm so happy with the Rainier School and the care she gets here," said parent Kathie Sprout. "I would be devastated and she would (be devastated) if this place closed."
The Rainier School once had 1,900 adults in its care. Now it has only 370, with 900 state employees. Supporters say the nearly 3-to-1 staff-to-resident ratio is what's seen in other community-based programs.
Rainier School Superintendent Neil Crowley said the the possible closure is a reflection of a national trend.
"Most states in the country for decades now have been slowly downsizing and, in many cases, closing institutions so that people can live in our neighborhoods. And that has been done successfully."
Trend or no trend, supporters of the school say there are no other public facilities in the area that can handle around-the-clock care needed by the school's residents.
Supporters of the Rainier School gathered on Wednesday to fight Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal to shut down the school.
If the Legislature goes ahead with the governor's plan, the school will begin phasing out students next year and close its doors in five years. But parents and supporters of the school have vowed to fight that move.
Angie has been a resident at the Rainier School 32 years. She functions at the age of a 2 year old, and her father worries about the possible closure of the facility Angie has called home since she was 13.
"We don't just let our toddlers and our 2 year olds walk around the streets and get on buses and go to work; we take care of them. She requires a sheltered life," said father Bob Gee.
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, is leading a coalition to fight the governor's proposed closure of the school.
Parents of the adult residents say the trauma of a move could be too much for their children to take.
"I'm so happy with the Rainier School and the care she gets here," said parent Kathie Sprout. "I would be devastated and she would (be devastated) if this place closed."
The Rainier School once had 1,900 adults in its care. Now it has only 370, with 900 state employees. Supporters say the nearly 3-to-1 staff-to-resident ratio is what's seen in other community-based programs.
Rainier School Superintendent Neil Crowley said the the possible closure is a reflection of a national trend.
"Most states in the country for decades now have been slowly downsizing and, in many cases, closing institutions so that people can live in our neighborhoods. And that has been done successfully."
Trend or no trend, supporters of the school say there are no other public facilities in the area that can handle around-the-clock care needed by the school's residents.