Opening Doors Changing Lives

Opening Doors Changing Lives publication banner.

Volume 2 - Number 4

April 1998

Review Panel Cites Improvements at Clover Bottom DC/Jordan HC

A panel of experts and advocates, asked to look at conditions at Nashville's Clover Bottom Developmental Center and the Harold Jordan Habilitation Center, cited improvement in an exit interview held on January 23, 1998, after a week of review.
The Quality Review Panel, including advocates and professionals from many disciplines, visited the facility, January 19 through 23. Many areas were examined including medical care, record keeping, food management, staffing and quality assurance.
The group used staff interviews, record reviews, on-site observation and check-lists to measure quality and assure compliance with stipulations of a Settlement Agreement mandated by the court.

Superintendent Bernard Simons said the panel's overall focus was on institutional care and transitional planning. It was noted that the "amount of progress and positive change was impressive" in the 75-year old facility.
"There is evidence of well-organized data and information available which is helpful in the provision of services," Simons quoted the review. Medical Care was examined with impressive strides noted in behavior control: medication, including reducing the need for psychotropic drugs and development and implementation of individual support plans for each person.
More detailed information on the panel's findings will be included in a special report which will soon be submitted to Deputy Commissioner Tom Sullivan of the Division of Mental Retardation Services.

DMRS Reports At Second Status Conference

The second quarterly status conference required by the conditionally approved settlement agreement in the People First of Tennessee, et al. v. Clover Bottom Developmental Center, et al. was held on February 12, 1998.

The lawsuit requires that the state demonstrates to the court that it is fulfilling the terms of the lawsuit at quarterly meetings.

Counsel for all parties and the members of the Quality Review Panel were present. Oral presentation was made by the state defendants that demonstrated to the court that it is in substantial compliance with the settlement agreement.

Magistrate Judge's Report No. 2 states that, "Based on the information provided in the second quarterly status conference, the Court found that the settlement agreement is being implemented by the state defendants. At this stage, the state defendants are in substantial compliance with the settlement agreement."

Some recommendations were made and the defendants agreed to address areas of concern.

Fingerprinting Implemented

Recent legislation requires fingerprint checks on all direct care staff. Community Agencies are in the process of signing Provider Agreements with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The TBI has announced that after all Provider Agreements have been signed, training classes for taking fingerprints will be conducted in several locations.

These sessions will be held in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Johnson City. Agencies will be notified as soon as the training is arranged.

Newsletter Goes On Line

Effective with this issue, Opening Doors, Changing Lives goes on line. This means that you can find it on the Internet under Tennessee State Government, Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation home page, under publications or http://www.state.tn.us/mental.

Nat T. Winston Developmental Center Closes

The Nat T. Winston Developmental Center in Bolivar--which opened in 1979--officially closed on March 10, 1998.

"The state has worked diligently with providers in our communities for the last couple of years to provide successful placement for all people who lived there," said Thomas J. Sullivan, DMR deputy commissioner.

"All our plans have been approved by the Quality Review Panel. We will continue to closely monitor and support the individuals participating in these community programs," he added.