TEXAS STOP NEGLECTING MY DISABLED DAUGHTER

My 26 year old daughter has Autism, is IDD (which means she cognitively and emotionally functions at a 4-5 yr old level), seizures which have caused enough damage over the yrs that she has been diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder and Psychois NOS and these are just a few of her disabilities. In Aug 2012 she wanted to try and be independent. After many tears and soul searching, I kept coming to the same conclusion that my friend was nice enough to point out. I won't always be able to care for her. So off she went...she moved into a group home in Wichita Falls, Texas. I was able to support her becoming independent while still remaining actively involved. She came home for all the holidays and every other weekend. In Jan 2015 she had her FIRST arrest. I know I was shocked also...managed to get that nightmare squared away and thought I would not have to worry about that again....in Aug 2015 she was arrested for the SECOND time, this time facing felony charges for continuous family violence. She walked by a male consumer in her home and punched him one time in the arm. First aid was not even needed. It was the same police officer and apparently the same consumer as the incident in Jan 2015. My disabled daughter had to spend over 24 hours locked up in an adult jail. An individual who cannot read nor write, doesn't know my phone number, could not possible understand her Miranda Rights...imagine picking up your 4-5 yr old from an adult jail. Just because her body physically grew doesn't mean that her mind developed with her body...I immediately moved her back home. Later on Helen Farabee, my counties mental health authority and LIDDA, put in for her to get a HCS diversion slot. That means $84,000 a year set aside through Medicare and Medicaid, federal and state funding. It has been down hill since. Dayhabs are not regulated in the state of Texas.. That means the majority are warehoused while the provider for your loved ones HCS funding collects a paycheck. My daughters psychiatrist since 2012 felt it was in my daughters best interest for her safety, health, welfare and the safety and welfare of those around her for her to have a one on one staff while at dayhab. The CEO of the company that contracts with Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADS) told me if those are my daughters behaviors maybe she should be arrested and the company doesn't get enough money from my daughters funding to hire a one to one staff. When DADS auditors came in to audit this provider they informed me that my daughter needs to realize being part of the community means she can and will be arrested if she "chooses" to be aggressive...My daughter didn't "choose"to be disabled. She has complex partial seizures and tonic clonic seizures which again has caused enough damage to her brain that she has intermittent explosive disorder and psychosis on top of all her other diagnoses. Her neurologist stated that her seizures could cause bipolar like rages...I don't think she "chooses" to be this way. At every turn, every organization I speak with referrals me somewhere else. No one actually does anything. TWO disabled individuals have died in MY community due to neglect by one of the providers in my city. I realize some of you are thinking why send her or why not find a different provider. The sad fact is they are all the same I don't have an option of another provider. My daughter has the RIGHT to be a part of this community, my daughter has the RIGHT to socialize with other people besides her family, my daughter has the RIGHT to be treated like a human being. We as a country have the obligations to ensure these individuals safety health and welfare. What does it say about our country when you can garner more outrage, support and advocates marching in the streets over the poor treatment of animals than you can human beings...our countries truly defenseless...Laws need to change.. I would like to see the following...
1) As it stands now DADS notifies the providers and foster homes when they are coming to inspect. We all know how that works. The provider ensures everything is completed and ready for inspection. DADS should NOT be doing the audit process. This should be outsourced to a third party to complete that isn't affiliated with DADS. These audits should be randomly done with no rhym or reason and more than once a year.
2) Each county should have a committee they can access with issues and complaints that can go in to investigate these providers. Again separate entity from DADS and they should have the authority to sanction these providers if they are not providing the services these individuals need and is ordered by a doctor. The providers should NOT be notified in advance if the complaint is against them, trust me documentation has a way of magically appearing.
3) These providers and Dayhabs need to be regulate so that there is a minimum set of standards they are required to follow
4) The providers and staff should be required to attend training on the different diagnosis, functioning levels and behaviors. They should receive training in preventing and managing aggressive behaviors. Looking for early warning signs, triggers and to properly intervene to diffuse the crisis rather than escalate it. They should be given the tools they need to help these consumers be successful in the community. This should be done when hired and yearly there after.
5) Dayhab staff should be paid more than minimum wage. They are taking care of our countries most vulnerable. Remember you get what you pay for.
6) The culture and mind set needs to shift. A change needs to happen if DADS auditors have the mind set I encountered why should the providers be any different.
7) There should be a Crisis Team in place 24/7 that can be called in each city instead of the police. We are in effect arresting 4 to 5 yr olds and penalizing them for their disabilities
8) There should be a strict policy that is actually enforced against retaliation. I have experienced it on several occasions as well as other families