PLATFORM : Keep Camarillo Open

For the 16% of the disabled at Camarillo who are autistic, it has an excellent program. Relocating, either to the community, where the quality of care is questionable, or to another developmental center, would be very traumatic to the patients, some of whom have resided at Camarillo for most of their lives. Uprooting autistic and other patients from their familiar surroundings and the professionals who work with them would be detrimental to their progress.

Also, residents of group homes have a higher mortality rate than those in institutions. Thirty years ago, many state-run institutions were indeed horrible places. In the intervening years, parents have become involved and governments have provided more funding and oversight.

This push toward more clients in group homes is occurring while the state supports lifting the already minimal quality assurance requirements for these residences. Monitoring has been reduced to a cursory once-a-year peek at these facilities.