Mentally ill flood ER as states cut services

[xmas74]

53. I've worked in both state and private facilities. (Mentally challenged adults)

The bad part about the state facilities were that the patients were still living in a facility instead of community homes. Besides that, I felt the actual care was better in the facility. There was a physician, a dentist, a beautician, psychiatrists,on grounds, meaning that the individual received care immediately instead of waiting on a professional in the community to squeeze them in when they felt like it. (And sometimes, they just didn't feel like it. It was obvious that our individuals were not welcome in the community doctor offices, dental clinics, etc. And beauticians in the area don't want them anywhere near their businesses, for fear of chasing off other customers.)

The individuals had nice, new clothing in the state facility. In the private facility they usually wore clothing from the local Goodwill or Salvation Army. In the state facility, they had registered dietitians who carefully monitored their diets yet made available tasty recipes for state to cook. In the private facilities there has never been a RD and the individuals were usually given Hamburger Helper and a can of corn for meals. In the state facility we went out once a week to dine in the community, to watch a movie, attend a play, enjoy a college game, watch a race, etc. In the private facilities we rarely went anywhere that didn't involve visiting another group home, due to "finances". The living areas and bedrooms in the state facility were nicely furnished while in the private facilities they were cast-offs. And in the state facility we offered group sports activities and were regular participants in the Special Olympics. The same cannot be said about the private facilities.

As a staff member I made an average of $4.00 more an hour and had good benefits with the state. I knew people working in private facilities making minimum wage. Training took much longer in the state facility and the background was extensive. The private facilities had about two days (compared to six weeks) of training and backgrounds were back by the end of the day. The state facility treated their employees like humans while the private facilities treated us like scum.

I could go on about the difference for days. What I will say if that if it were my child and I couldn't take care of him/her I'd prefer the state facility compared to any of the private facilities I've worked in.