We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

And I would love to hear some other opinions on this. A mother states her daughter is on a wait list for a residence from 2007 that was supposed to be built in 2006. It is being delayed bc the people in the area DO NOT want a group home. She states she believe it is bc of the workers. Stating they are low class and trouble (parking on the lawns, smoking outside, etc...). SHe truly believes that people DO NOT think that the individuals living in the house would bother any one. Any thoughts?

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

I am sorry but what is MR/DD?

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

DH and I had the sorry experience of attending our town civic association meeting where the plans to build a house for adults with Autism was discussed.

I have never seen a bigger group of ignorant, low-life trash than the people who started screaming about how now their kid can't walk to the candy store and now they have to lock their doors all the time because the big, bad autistic adults might go crazy and attack them...

I was embarrassed to live in my town.

So am I surprised that people are trying to block the building of a home for MR/DD people? Not at all.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Sadly, I can guarantee the people opposed don't want the workers OR the residents living in their neighborhood. A classic case of NIMBY.

I'm sure the arguments are: will "they" be walking around the neighborhood? Under what kind of supervision? Worries about violent/ erradic behavior.

Unfortunately, people hear "group home" and worry about their property values.

ETA: At the same time, I can understand the mentality. People fear the unknown/unfamiliar. Before working with children with some severe disabilities, I admit that being around people with mental disabilities made me uncomfortable.

Message edited 7/29/2009 11:42:34 AM.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

that is the problem with the mentality of group home = devalue of properties. I think that attitude needs to be adjusted. I still do not understand why older empty facilities such as Pilgrim/Grumman plants can not be developed into homes for people with special needs. You can make parks, therapy areas, etc. But instead let's put another senior housing complex!

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

When we bought our house, we had no idea that the house next to us was a group home. The sellers kept that information from us (and we later found out that they were moving partially because of the group home).

I went over to the house one day to introduce myself to all the 'kids' and they were so welcoming and happy to see their new neighbor. They all wave every morning, and say hello to our DS from across the lawns.

The workers do park their cars in front of our house sometimes, but usually it is only for an hour or two (could even be someone visiting).

I am happy to have the group home as a neighbor, they are so nice to us.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

I don't think people understand "group home" enough to know it's not a bad thing. I worked in a group home in Dix Hills for DD/MR.

It's not the workers, it's not the clients. It's the ignorance & fear of the unknown IMO.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Posted by MrsBumbleb

Posted by PrincessP

Posted by MrsBumbleb

Posted by nrthshgrl

I don't think people understand "group home" enough to know it's not a bad thing. I worked in a group home in Dix Hills for DD/MR.

It's not the workers, it's not the clients. It's the ignorance & fear of the unknown IMO.

I agree. I am a strong advocate for the disabled and always will be.

As someone who has worked in the field for many years (and still do) and has even been the director of these residences I agree. Do some staff play their radios too loud at varying times of the day, absolutely. Do they park their cars in front of other houses, absolutely. Are there fire drills in the dead of night, yep. It the responsibility of the management to ensure these things don't become a nuisance. I will tell you the houses I've worked with have ALWAYS been the nicest houses on the block. Neighbors who were hesitant to see the homes built then are the first ones now to attend any parties or events. It's all about having a sense of community and belonging. Isn't that what anybody would want? Individuals with disabilites are no different.

I also agree ...to an extent.
I am a strong advocate for MR/DD and I also would not be opposed to a group home in my neighborhood.
However, I DO think that the communities are nervous about the consumers. I do think they believe they "might" act out in their community, I do believe the think they may leave their home and enter theirs (eloping), I do think they believe their area will become loud. I Definitely do think it is about the consumers. I do think the staff may concern the homeowners but I definitely think ther consumers are the bigger concern. Just my feeling.
Like I said, I wouldnt be bothered, truthfully. The only thing that would annoy me is if they did those fire drills during the nites etc... Ive seen them done early AM and I cant imagine that occuring. I also disagree that most group homes are nicer then other houses. FOr the most part Ive seen very average houses and Ive worked for 3 agencies. Not saying average is bad but I dont think any "wowed" me...But its not really my point.

Fire drills in the dead of night are no big deal. They are under 3 minutes long You know how often I hear people playing loud music and being annoying for longer than that in my neighborhood. A LOT longer than 3 minutes. By the nicest houses, I don't mean the most expensive or biggest. I mean nicely landscaped, if anything is broken it is fixed immediately or if any renovations or updating is needed it is done right away. As far as behavioral issues yes they are going to happen, just like with any individual in any area. Like previously stated it is up to the staff and clinical team to put the supports in place that each person would need to deal with any of their challenges. It is important for people to see and hear about the supports that are being put forth for individuals with disabilities so that they are able to be part of the same community.

Message edited 7/29/2009 4:03:22 PM.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Not for nothing, but if there is a child with autism at ANY age living in ANY home, that child will be receiving many therapies, which means people coming to the home and parking in front of other people's houses.

ETA - While I do not condone other's ignorance, I can understand why people would fear developmentally disabled adults living next door to them. People get uncomfortable seeing them briefly in the community, let alone next to them 24-7. My heart breaks for families whose children are nearing adulthood and residential homes need to be considered

Message edited 7/29/2009 6:27:36 PM.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

I think there is a group home for MR/DD somewhere on my street because I often see people walking down the block with someone who looks like a counselor.

To be honest, make all my neighbors group homes. It wouldn't bother me in the least.

I live on a street with main access to a park (didn't realize that when we bought since it was winter time) and the cars racing up and down the street blasting their radio are so much worse IMHO.

We also recently had college-aged kids move in a few houses down and they were much worse then anyone IMHO with their parties every night their first week they lived here, blocking traffic, smoking weed, drinking beer and throwing trash on my yard.

I also worked in a group home once for the MI/DD population and we ran a tight ship because we couldn't afford to have any bad publicity brought to us.

Any issues with staff and they were out too. FWIW, there wasn't a whole lot of staff turnover, because the clients were so lovable and wonderful.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Posted by neener1211

When we bought our house, we had no idea that the house next to us was a group home. The sellers kept that information from us (and we later found out that they were moving partially because of the group home).

I went over to the house one day to introduce myself to all the 'kids' and they were so welcoming and happy to see their new neighbor. They all wave every morning, and say hello to our DS from across the lawns.

The workers do park their cars in front of our house sometimes, but usually it is only for an hour or two (could even be someone visiting).

I am happy to have the group home as a neighbor, they are so nice to us.

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Not for nothing, but if there is a child with autism at ANY age living in ANY home, that child will be receiving many therapies, which means people coming to the home and parking in front of other people's houses.

ETA - While I do not condone other's ignorance, I can understand why people would fear developmentally disabled adults living next door to them. People get uncomfortable seeing them briefly in the community, let alone next to them 24-7. My heart breaks for families whose children are nearing adulthood and residential homes need to be considered

Re: We run a parent support group at my job for parents of children with MR/DD

There is a group home for adults who are developmentally delayed next door to my parents' house. It changed from a standard private home to a group home after I was already in college, and the transaction was kept quiet until the very end (according to my parents, no one on the block was notified or had any idea that it was going to be sold as a group home until very late in the game - they're friendly with the neighbors, so I believe them since people would've been talking about it if they'd known). When the sale became known, I can't imagine many people were happy about it, and I know some of the neighbors protested it at the town hall meeting. My parents worried that the value of their home might decrease. I'll be honest, I wasn't crazy about the idea at first either - I didn't know if it was a great idea to put ANY kind of business right next door to my parents' home... but since then, their experience has been good.

The residents are quiet and keep to themselves. Since it's a normal sized house, there are less than 6 residents living there any given time - not like an institutional feel at all. I'm not there all the time, but when I visit, I've never so much as seen one of the residents outside (they have a large backyard they spend time in), let alone heard any noise from the house or been disturbed in any way. My parents have seen the residents from time to time when they work in the yard, and said they're friendly and wave hello. Occasionally there is a mini bus or an ambulance outside the house, but not often. No problems, no conflicts... and the staff only park in front of the house they work at (it happens to be a corner lot, so there's enough parking for up to 6 cars if you include the double driveway). They work 8-12 hour shifts, so there are not people coming and going at all hours. They wear scrubs, so they look professional and you can tell who they are, and they don't hang around outside when their shifts are over, they go home. And they keep the yard maintained better than the old lady who used to live there did.

To the OP, I think it's possible that the mom could be right, but chances are people are worried about the potential residents just as much, if not more, than the staff members who would be there. JMO.

ETA: put "your mom" instead of THE mom. Oops!

Message edited 7/29/2009 10:04:28 PM.