The fifth quarterly status conference required by the conditionally approved settlement agreement was held on December 3, 1998. Counsel for all parties and members of the Quality Review Panel were present.

The state defendants made an oral presentation regarding the implementation of the settlement agreement and on the progress of the defendants in complying with each of the paragraphs of the settlement agreement scheduled to be discussed in the fifth quarterly status conference in the schedule of implementation.

The parties and members of the Quality Review Panel were given the opportunity to question the state defendants regarding implementation of the settlement agreement.

The Quality Review Panel gave a report regarding their activities which included the Panel's proposal regarding the independent professional review of persons not recommended for community placement,

a summary of the community reviews conducted in East and Middle Tennessee, and a report on independent support coordination and individual support plans.

There was also a discussion regarding a letter from the United States raising concerns regarding the number of abuse and neglect investigations.

The Court raised questions regarding the recently issued report of the Quality Review Panel's Annual Review of Greene Valley Developmental Center. Further, the Court noted concerns regarding the number of abuse and neglect investigations and recent deaths in the community.

The defendants agreed to address these issues and supply additional information to the Court and parties by January 12, 1998.

The next status conference will be held on Friday, January 22, 1999.

AAC Task Force Formed A group of interested professionals, led by Carol Greenwald of UT Boling Center in Memphis and Debbie Bryant of the Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services, have initiated the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Task Force.

The purpose of the AAC Task Force is to serve as a resource to Tennesseans who have augmentative and alternative communication needs as well as assistive technology (AT) needs, and their families, caregivers, and clinicians.

The AAC Task Force is considering producing a newsletter or Web Page. They are seeking individuals interested in being listed on the Web Page or newsletter as a resource for AAC and AT across the state of Tennessee.

If you have any interest in these areas, contact Debbie Bryant at the Division of Mental Retardation Services, Cordell Hull Building, 5th Floor North, 425 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243, (615) 741-0499.

Meece Named Interim Director of DMRS East Tennessee Region

Dr. Henry "Bud" Meece, superintendent of Greene Valley Developmental Center, has been named interim regional director of Mental Retardation's East Tennessee Region replacing Walter Rogers.

Rogers accepted a position in Colorado effective December 11. Meece will hold the post while MR Services searches for a new regional director.

In Memorium

We regret the passing of Ms. Willie Vernon, a longtime volunteer at Clover Bottom and DMHMR's 1996 Volunteer of the Year. She won this award for going to CBDC for four hours each day, five days a week.

Four Added to Title 33 Revision Commission

Governor Don Sundquist added four persons to the commission established to review the mental health and mental retardation law and make recommendations for its revision.

New members include Bonita Scott of Lexington, an active member of People First, a self advocacy organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for people with mental retardation.

Also added was Irene Russell of Surgoinsville, executive director of the TN Association of Mental Health Consumers; George Hattaway, commissioner of the Department of Children's Services; and Dr, Stephanie White-Perry, assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services of the Dept. of Health.