Why does MDS have to build these homes?

The State of Colorado decided to close the Skilled Nursing Unit portion of the Grand Junction Regional Center (GJRC), serving 32 individuals with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and complex medical needs requiring skilled nursing care. Parents and guardians selected their preferred service provider. MDS was selected as the preferred provider for 24 of the 32 individuals. Also, parents and guardians of most of the GJRC residents who will be transitioned into other services wanted them to stay in Mesa County. MDS already serves several people with similar care needs. Very few alternative service providers were willing to serve this population. Since we have the service experience, we were the most viable option. It made sense for us to expand our services to fill the void.

Why do they need to be built so quickly?

MDS learned about the closure at the same time as everyone else - when it was announced in the media in late August. We inherited the March deadline and we are trying our best to meet it. Originally it was thought the people could be served by several existing providers around the state with openings. This did not happen so another service option was needed quickly.

Why is the Grand Junction Regional Center closing?

The Grand Junction Regional Center is not closing, only this one program on campus. They will still serve many people on the campus and in their ten group homes throughout the city.

Why are they closing that program?

There are both financial and philosophical reasons. Service overhead and personnel expenses are higher in state operated facilities than private, nonprofit, community-based services like MDS. Many states have totally eliminated government run institutional services for people with developmental disabilities in favor of community-based services. The Grand Junction Regional Center has been gradually transitioning the people they serve into community-based services for many years.

How many people will be living in each home?

There will be eight in each home for a total of 24.

Why don’t you just build one big facility and house them all together?

Our number one priority is the people affected by this transition and their quality of life. They have rights, protections and choice just like anyone else. We strongly believe they should live in a “home” not a medical facility. Many of them have never lived in a typical home environment. We view these residences as homes that happen to have medical services, not unlike elderly people or other people with disabilities who receive home health care. With eight residents, we can still offer a home-like environment while providing the necessary services in a cost effective environment. Secondly, eight is the maximum number allowed to live in a group home according to our licensing.

So how much is this going to cost and why doesn’t the government pay for it?

There will be some government funding that will be available to assist with the construction costs of the project but less than 1/3 of the total needed. The individuals receiving services have their care paid for through their Medicare/Medicaid and SSI disability funding which provides for just a little over $500 per month for room and board, far short of the actual cost. The total project will be about $2.3 million for construction, furnishings and necessary equipment like ceiling lift systems, hydrotherapy tubs, roll-in showers, changing tables, etc. (See needs list under “How You Can Help” for equipment details.)

Why didn’t you just buy homes already on the market in Grand Junction and remodel them?

The cost of remodeling existing homes – eight bedrooms, no hallways, wheelchair accessible throughout and retrofitted equipment like commercial grade therapy tubs and ceiling lift systems – is more costly than building new homes. Further, we did look at existing homes for sale and found none that were located in the necessary areas and otherwise meeting all of the extensive health, fire, safety, zoning and construction standards.

You describe the people you will be serving as medically fragile. What does that mean?

Some of the residents are fed through tubes, have catheters, implanted medication pumps, or tracheostomies. The State Board of Nursing requires that these devices be monitored and assessed by licensed medical personnel. Many of these individuals can’t communicate or they use alternative communication, another reason for close and frequent monitoring. Other medical issues include significant seizure disorders, complex nutritional needs, medication administration, and high risk for infections. They are non-ambulatory, requiring special care and repositioning to prevent pressure sores.

Should neighbors be concerned about their safety?

The assumption that a cognitive disability means an individual is a sex offender or dangerous in other ways is incorrect. Safety for the neighborhood is not an issue. These individuals will not pose any risk to the neighborhood as some suggest because they can do very little for themselves without assistance.

What about all of the increased traffic from staff going in and out, commercial vehicles, etc.?

Group homes generate traffic levels of a typical household with three drivers, and probably much less than a household with teenage drivers and their friends.

What about noise and lights?

There will typically be much less noise and the same amount of lighting as any other neighbors. These homes will not generate deliveries, or other activity beyond what would be expected by any residential neighbor.

Will you have a fence?

Yes, similar to other homes in the neighborhoods and in accordance with covenants where applicable. We will also have maintained, landscaped yards.

Won't the homes "stick out" in the neighborhoods?

MDS and the respective builder's have gone to great lengths to design homes that will fit with neighboring homes and will be finished in ways similar to neighboring homes. We currently operate 12 group homes in neighborhoods throughout the valley and most neighbors would have no idea they are group homes.

Won't the projects negatively affect property values?

Their is absolutely NO data indicating that is the case. In fact recently a GJ Sentinel reporter did research indicating the property values increased over a many year timeframe in a neighborhood with one of MDS' current group homes.

Why did you not have meetings until after the project was started?

No public approval process is required. We conducted meetings to fulfill the requirements of a grant request (public notice in a newspaper) and as well to simply ensure neighbors had an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the various aspects of the projects. We voluntarily sent written invitations to all neighbors within a 750’ radius. to answer any questions and so we could meet our new neighbors! The very short overall timeline along with the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holidays were factors in the scheduling of the two community meetings.

Will the population served in the homes change?

It is highly unlikely the population will change because of the expensive, built-in equipment specific to people with high medical needs and significant physical disabilities. The needs of these individuals are similar to those of elderly people in nursing homes. The population we currently serve are aging and living longer, As time goes by we will be serving more people requiring this level of care and will therefore need more housing of this design.