Wilson Orders Probe of Care for Disabled

Gov. Pete Wilson, responding to allegations that many of California’s most severely retarded and disabled citizens are receiving substandard care in community homes, is ordering an independent examination of the placement of the developmentally disabled in such programs.

Sean Walsh, Wilson’s press secretary, confirmed Friday that the governor had directed state Health and Welfare Secretary Sandra Smoley to hire an outside firm to analyze how the Department of Developmental Services shifts the developmentally disabled from state institutions into community programs.

The review comes after a storm of criticism leveled by advocates for the developmentally disabled, who charge that state officials funnel retarded patients from institutions into community facilities with little regard for their health or well-being.

Walsh called complaints against the department “gross exaggerations,” and noted that an internal review conducted by Smoley had determined that most allegations were unfounded.

But with an abundance of caution, Walsh said, the governor wanted to proceed with an independent analysis to provide an accurate picture of the situation.

“The bottom line is we want to get a clear view of what’s happening and to make sure the state is doing the best job it can under the law,” Walsh said.

Critics of community placements said they hope the governor’s review will be more than a rubber stamp of the administration’s policies.

Those critics, who include U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), have called for a stop to such transfers until more is known about how to prevent deaths and health problems associated with such moves.

“This is precisely what the senator hoped would occur,” said Bill Chandler, a Feinstein spokesman. “The key to all this, however, is that this truly be an independent review and not a whitewash.”

Smoley said the consultants would be expected to investigate whether state officials are using sound judgment when they decide who is to be moved into community facilities.