An issue that has been taken less seriously is the mental health care for children with developmental disabilities. Among the top issues are the limited access to mental health services, complex government systems, and insufficient availability of daily caregiving.
Disability Voices United’s conference
It reached a point where a group of parents from Orange County flew to Sacramento for Disability Voices United’s conference. This advocacy organization champions the rights of individuals with disabilities and their families. The goal of these people was to bring attention to these pressing matters and urge state officials to address them promptly.
Most parents who attended the conference were in a similar situation as Christine LyBurtus, a single mother residing in Fullerton. In her case, after nearly a thousand calls to multiple hospitals, which would later not respond to her child’s urgent needs, she was forced to make the heart-wrenching decision of placing her autistic son, Noah, in a state-run facility for an entire year.
Speaking to state officials during that conference, LyBurtus implored them to listen to the plight of families like hers who are finding themselves with no other choice but to send their children away from home for treatment – sometimes up to 12 hours away and even out of state entirely.
Californians seeking assistance beyond state borders
Two years ago, 49 young individuals in California were receiving specialized services outside of the state. Then, 33 others were almost at the point of being referred to resources outside of California due to their complex needs. The Developmental Services Department reported this information.
As Judy Mark, president of Disability Voices United, points out, this separation of children from their families is very counterproductive and expensive. Judy recommends that instead of trying to stabilize a child in an institution, California should prioritize providing continuous support and resources for families to care for their children at home.
Hector Ramerez, an autistic member of the California Commission on Disability Access residing in the San Fernando Valley, echoes this sentiment. He emphasizes that without proper support for autistic teens and their families, there can be detrimental consequences leading to further decline instead of improvement in their condition.
Finding and securing qualified caregivers
Finding and securing qualified caregivers remains a pressing issue for disability service providers, as the rates set by the state are often insufficient compared to what these caregivers can earn elsewhere. While there have been gradual increases in provider rates over time, with another one scheduled for January, they still fall short of meeting the needs of both service providers and their clients.
We at Sacramento ABA Therapy understand that finding and securing qualified caregivers can be daunting for families. That’s why we also work with insurance providers to ensure that our services are covered under their plans, making it more affordable for families to access the care their children need. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
