DMRS Reports at Ninth Status Conference

The ninth status conference required by the conditionally approved settlement agreement was held on August 12, 1999. Counsel for all parties were present. Members of the Quality Review Panel were also present. The topic for this status conference was educational services for school-age class members.

Gayle Feltner, Education Coordinator for the Division of Mental Retardation Services, gave a brief overview of the activities of the Division regarding the provision of educational services to school-age class members and the efforts of the Division to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs).

Joseph Fisher, Executive Director for the Division of Special Education, Tennessee Department of Education (DOE), also discussed efforts of the Department of Education to monitor the activities of LEAs and to assist LEAs in providing appropriate educational services to school-age class members.

Robert Tipps, Administrator for the DOE, also provided information about his efforts as liaison with the Division of Mental Retardation Services to assist LEAs in providing appropriate educational services.

Next, representatives from LEAs were given an opportunity to discuss the provision of services to school-age class members and any additional assistance they need.

The next status conference will be held Tuesday, October 19, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. The topic will be behavioral supports and mental health services.

Representatives from Cleveland City Schools, Hamilton County Schools, Knox County Schools and Metropolitan-Davidson County Schools were present.

In addition, the written reports of six other school districts were filed with the Court prior to the status conference.

The LEAs present discussed transition plans for class members who are turning 21, accessing TennCare funding through the MCOs, and summer workshops offering special courses on serving developmentally disabled children.

There were concerns and issues raised and the parties agreed to address them by working with other departments and divisions.

As required by the Settlement Agreement, the Division of Mental Retardation Services conducted a consumer satisfaction survey in the fall of 1998. Results will help the Division identify strengths and weaknesses of the service system based on the evaluation of the individuals and their parents in the community and in the Developmental Centers.

This month we are sharing the number of concerns received from the 1998 consumer satisfaction survey:

43 from Individuals in Developmental Centers
35 from Family/Guardian (Developmental Centers)
12 from Individuals in Community
80 from Family/Guardian (Community)

The concerns of individuals who live in the centers were followed up by qualified mental retardation professionals to solve any reported problems.

The concerns of individuals who live in the community and of Parent/Family/Guardian were addressed by sending letters and, in some cases, making phone calls from the Superintendent or the Regional Director or their designee to clarify concerns and explain how they would be solved.

The Division thanks everyone who participated in the survey. The results are informative and are being taken seriously in planning for systems improvements.

Washburn Appointed Interim Superintendent For
Clover Bottom DC

Ms. Frances Washburn has been appointed the Interim Superintendent for Clover Bottom Developmental Center effective September 1, 1999.

Her career with the Division of Mental Retardation Services began at Greene Valley Developmental Center 30 years ago, and most recently, she has served as the Deputy Superintendent for Clover Bottom.

Ms. Washburn holds a Masters Degree in Special Education from East Tennessee State University.