Press Releases

Contact: Dennis Rosebrough
Phone: (317) 232-1149
Email: dennis.rosebrough@fssa.in.gov
For Immediate Release: Oct 24, 2005

Fort Wayne State Developmental Center Residents to Transition to Community-Based Settings

Mitch Roob, Secretary of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), today announced the need to focus on the community-based care model for the residents of Fort Wayne Developmental Center (FWSDC), a state institution for people with developmental disabilities.

Secretary Roob noted, "Across the nation, a consumer-driven trend of community-based client care, as opposed to institutional-based care, has accelerated. Consumers, parents, guardians, advocates, and providers have promoted community-based services and support. Services in the community facilitate flexibility, individualization, and the inclusion of consumers in society."

He explained that in the 30-year period ending in 1990, 48 facilities serving people with developmental disabilities closed in the United States. Since 1990, 82 facilities have closed - nearly 6 closures per year. The demand for these institutions has also decreased across Indiana. Muscatatuck State Developmental Center closed earlier this year. FWSDC served 679 residents in 1987, but now serves only 210.

Roob continued, "Allegations of abuse and neglect have plagued this facility. Due to a consent decree, the U.S. Department of Justice routinely monitors the facility for a variety of issues, including abuse and neglect. Based on these concerns, we brought in new management and re-emphasized that the residents of the facility are our top priority."

John Dickerson, Executive Director of The Arc of Indiana, added "Our history in Indiana has shown that people thrive in community-based settings. We have a record of transitioning people from institutions to community-based settings in a thoughtful, careful manner and with the involvement of families. And we will continue to do so."

"This is the right thing to do. In terms of community capacity, we are ready to meet the challenges and are committed to working with the State of Indiana to find homes in safe and healthy environments in our communities," Jim Hammond, President/CEO of Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (INARF) said.

Serving consumers in the community is also less expensive than providing care in an institution. Indiana taxpayers pay $860 per day to serve people with developmental disabilities at FWSDC, whereas taxpayers pay $150-400 per day to serve these same people in the community.

FWSDC employs nearly 1,000 people and has been managed by Liberty Healthcare, a medical management company, since May 2005. State of Indiana employees will transition to Liberty Healthcare on January 1, 2006. Employees will be offered employment with Liberty Healthcare with comparable benefits and salary for at least 90 days through March 31, 2006. The majority of employees will continue in their positions until residents are transitioned.

"Meeting the care needs of these individuals does not stop, but shifts location from the institution to the community," said Peter Bisbecos, Director of Disabilities and Rehabilitative Service, the division of FSSA currently responsible for the operation of FWSDC. "We expect many of our employees will continue to work closely with these clients through employment with community-based providers."

The facility will close on June 30, 2007

Press Release Posting on the FSSA web site