We are saddened to share news of the death of Sally Bondy, long-time leader of the Home and School Association
Sally Bondy was the President of the Home and School Association of STS for over 20 years. Her dedication and commitment to the Southbury Training School - residents as well as their guardians and advocates set the stage for the Association as it is today.
Follow the link to her obituary.
Donations can be made in Sally’s memory to the:
Home and School Association of STS
P.O. Box 872
Southbury, CT 06488
Sally Bondy was the President of the Home and School Association of STS for over 20 years. Her dedication and commitment to the Southbury Training School - residents as well as their guardians and advocates set the stage for the Association as it is today.
Follow the link to her obituary.
Donations can be made in Sally’s memory to the:
Home and School Association of STS
P.O. Box 872
Southbury, CT 06488
Connecticut Office of Policy and Management announcing that the new Protection and Advocacy System will be run by Disability Rights CT.
Written comments are welcome regarding this matter and we will accept comments until Friday March 10, 2017.
By mail to:
P&A/CAP Redesignation
Office of Policy and Management
450 Capitol Ave., MS#52LTC
Hartford, CT 06106
or by email to:
[email protected]
In addition, a Public Hearing will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday March 10, 2017 at the Department of Transportation at 2800 Berlin Turnpike in Newington, CT. A notice with more information about the Public Hearing can be seen by following this link.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could pass the Notice along to any individual or entity you feel should be made aware of it. read the announcement
By mail to:
P&A/CAP Redesignation
Office of Policy and Management
450 Capitol Ave., MS#52LTC
Hartford, CT 06106
or by email to:
[email protected]
In addition, a Public Hearing will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday March 10, 2017 at the Department of Transportation at 2800 Berlin Turnpike in Newington, CT. A notice with more information about the Public Hearing can be seen by following this link.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could pass the Notice along to any individual or entity you feel should be made aware of it. read the announcement
Our Answer to the DDS
Call for Recommendations
on the Future of STS
In response to DDS Commissioner Murray’s request for public recommendations for the future of STS, (deadline December 31, 2015) the Home and School Association has made four recommendations to improve the I/DD waiting list crisis in Connecticut and the overall health of the DDS system in Connecticut:
DDS needs to make STS part of the solution to current DDS problems.
Please read our complete list of recommendations, backed by facts and statistics, to better understand why we believe closing STS and the five regional centers will cost Connecticut a significant amount of money over many years and will only worsen the waiting list crisis.
Click to read the complete report.
Call for Recommendations
on the Future of STS
In response to DDS Commissioner Murray’s request for public recommendations for the future of STS, (deadline December 31, 2015) the Home and School Association has made four recommendations to improve the I/DD waiting list crisis in Connecticut and the overall health of the DDS system in Connecticut:
- Conduct a fair and comprehensive community vs. STS cost comparison study that assess the true costs of care for a significant population of individuals with severe and profound I/DD, such as the population of STS. The study should encompass sources of funding, intensity of services, staffing, and other considerations that distinguish this cohort from other individuals with I/DD for better suited to services provided through HCBS waivers.
- Conduct a focused study that identifies costs and short-term issues associated with transitioning STS residents to community services.
- Review the quality of life, services and supports in all settings, including specific comparisons for varying levels of need.
- Keep STS and the five regional centers open as vital parts of the service system and do whatever is necessary to enhance and re-invigorate them for the benefit of all Connecticut citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Beds at these facilities should be made available to individuals on the waiting list. DDS should also consider expanding the services provided at STS, including by developing a nursing facility within STS, providing intensive behavioral programs for autistic individuals and providing emergency short-term support and respite. DDS could also use STS and the regional centers as bases for developing, possibly through public-private partnerships, medical, neurological, mental health and ancillary service centers that would provide services similar to those offered through ICF/IDs, but to those living in community settings.
DDS needs to make STS part of the solution to current DDS problems.
Please read our complete list of recommendations, backed by facts and statistics, to better understand why we believe closing STS and the five regional centers will cost Connecticut a significant amount of money over many years and will only worsen the waiting list crisis.
Click to read the complete report.
In the News
Malloy: Closure of Southbury Facility More Complicated
Susan Haigh, Associated Press | January 3, 2016
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says closing Southbury Training School for people with severe intellectual disabilities is a more complicated budget-savings proposition than he first thought…
Malloy, who previously voiced support for possibly closing Southbury, said he has visited the facility and since learned more about the unique care that's being provided, acknowledging he was "caught up in a one-size-fits-all" way of thinking earlier… read the full article here
Disability Housing: Institutional Avoidance
Huffington Post
Please read this eye-opening article in the Huffington Post that discusses the many positive aspects of Southbury Training School (STS) and how the advocacy push to “deinstitutionalize” facilities like STS “has failed to focus on what it means to create communities” and “build life-giving places” for people with disabilities to “live and thrive.” Read more…
Susan Haigh, Associated Press | January 3, 2016
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says closing Southbury Training School for people with severe intellectual disabilities is a more complicated budget-savings proposition than he first thought…
Malloy, who previously voiced support for possibly closing Southbury, said he has visited the facility and since learned more about the unique care that's being provided, acknowledging he was "caught up in a one-size-fits-all" way of thinking earlier… read the full article here
Disability Housing: Institutional Avoidance
Huffington Post
Please read this eye-opening article in the Huffington Post that discusses the many positive aspects of Southbury Training School (STS) and how the advocacy push to “deinstitutionalize” facilities like STS “has failed to focus on what it means to create communities” and “build life-giving places” for people with disabilities to “live and thrive.” Read more…
We Support VOR
Please Join VOR!
VOR is a national organization that advocates for high quality care and human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
VOR Supports a Full Spectrum of Services for Individuals with I/DD Learn More
VOR Legislative Action Alerts - take action!
Please Join VOR!
VOR is a national organization that advocates for high quality care and human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
VOR Supports a Full Spectrum of Services for Individuals with I/DD Learn More
VOR Legislative Action Alerts - take action!