Opening Doors Changing Lives

Opening Doors Changing Lives publication banner.

Volume 3 - Number 8

August 1999

DMRS Reports at Eighth Quarterly Status Conference

The 8th quarterly status conference required by the conditionally approved settlement agreement was held on July 7, 1999. Counsel for all parties were present. Members of the Quality Review Panel were also present. Barbara Brent, Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS), gave a brief overview of the activities of the Division regarding recommendations of the Quality Review Panel in their report on Protection from Harm. Activities include the creation of a project team, advisory team and a work plan to address recommendations of the Quality Review Panel. The Division is working with Nancy Ray, Ed.D., to develop new policies and procedures regarding incident reporting, investigations and mortality review. Dr. Ray is an expert on abuse and neglect issues and is under contract with the Quality Review Panel. Dr. Ray has assisted the Quality Review Panel in their reviews of services in the community and in developmental centers. Next, Dr. Ray gave a presentation on the development of a comprehensive corrective action plan to address the variety of protection from harm issues which have surfaced related to services and programs operated by the DMRS. Dr. Ray discussed the plan for trend

Top of next column

analysis regarding untoward events including allegations of abuse and neglect. Dr. Ray also answered questions regarding the materials submitted by the defendants, including the proposed Protection from Harm plan. A follow-up status conference on the topic of protection from harm shall be held on January 6, 2000. The next status conference will be August 12, 1999 and will focus on education.

Bernard Simons Named Director of West TN Regional Office

Bernard A. Simons Jr., a 28-year veteran at providing management services to persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, has been named Regional Director of the DMRS West Tennessee Regional Office effective September 1, 1999. He fills the vacancy created by Max Jackson, who resigned. Simons previously served as Superintendent at Clover Bottom Developmental Center and before that as Assistant Superintendent at Arlington Developmental Center. He has a master's in education from the University of Rhode Island an Kingston and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in special education at Boston University.

Robert Named Hero of the Day

Robert works as a customer services sales associate at Winn Dixie supermarket in Chattanooga.

One day while working, he caught a customer as she fainted and carried her to a bench while calling for assistance. His quick thinking earned him accolades from his store manager and coworkers along with the title. "Hero of the Day."

"It has made such a positive change in him," says Robert's mother in talking about his job. She talks about his new found self confidence and ability to do things independently that he used to ask for help with.

Robert is one of 46 individuals who participate in Orange Grove Center's supported employment and community participation programs. The supported employment program places individuals on jobs in the community and provides the supports they need to succeed.