PEOPLE FIRST FREEDOM FIGHTERS WIN HISTORIC VICTORY
People First of Tennessee, the State of Tennessee and the United Staes
of America filed an historic settlement agreement November 15th in
Nashville. The agreement will provide community services for the
residents of the Clover Bottom Developmental Center in Nashville, the
Green Valley Developmental Center in Greenville, and the Nat T Winston
Developmental Center in Bolivar, TN. The agreement requires a major
system change in the way Tennessee provides services for persons with
significant developmental disabilities. It requires the state to:
- Provide community services for all institutional residents whose
interdisiplinary teams or independent evaluators recommend community
placement.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, state-wide plan to create the
community services in local communities needed by former institutional
residents. Consumers, families, advocates and service providers will
help develop the plan.
- Assure that all school age residents receive an appropriate education
in their local school districts.
- Provide improved services for people as long as they reside at the
institutions.
Members of People First were deligghted that the settlement was filed.
State President Edward Sewell said "I think its great to see this go
through. I'm glad to see this settled and now we can help people move
out." Frances Hamblen, another board member, agreed "I'm all for
it. People will get better care and be able to do more in the
community."