What ever happened to Bellwether/Advoserv/Carlton Palms? I've heard that question often over the last year. From advocacy groups to parent groups, they wonder why the Gingerbread House closed up overnight and went up for sale. Bought by a builder in Delaware, the house will likely stay, but the grounds are in growing residential area where McMansions don't dot the countryside, they are the countryside.
While Bellwether left Delaware and Florida in a quiet rush, it had already set down roots in New Jersey.
Things didn't go well.
New Jersey was a state with a vast deficit in community based living options. It had been a mandate of the federal government to start moving institutional-based of individuals with developmental disabilities into their communities. Community-based living was a concept that eventually was determined to be a best practice. This required a wide range of homes to meet the needs of varying disabilities. Families who had been over-burdened by the depth of their child's disabilities where also hopeful that a community based setting would help relieve the pressure they bore while improving the quality of life of their loved one.
In all Bellwether would accumulate 62 homes. However, in New Jersey Bellwether found it harder to play ball. It may have accumulated more homes than any other service provided; however, the company didn't have Ken Mazik's political savvy. Whereas he had deftly handled politicians and moved legislation along to support for-profit homes and to hide deficiencies, Bellwether was simply unable to court policy makers. And I suppose you can only hide so many deaths and accusations of abuse for so long...
Things didn't go well.
New Jersey was a state with a vast deficit in community based living options. It had been a mandate of the federal government to start moving institutional-based of individuals with developmental disabilities into their communities. Community-based living was a concept that eventually was determined to be a best practice. This required a wide range of homes to meet the needs of varying disabilities. Families who had been over-burdened by the depth of their child's disabilities where also hopeful that a community based setting would help relieve the pressure they bore while improving the quality of life of their loved one.
In all Bellwether would accumulate 62 homes. However, in New Jersey Bellwether found it harder to play ball. It may have accumulated more homes than any other service provided; however, the company didn't have Ken Mazik's political savvy. Whereas he had deftly handled politicians and moved legislation along to support for-profit homes and to hide deficiencies, Bellwether was simply unable to court policy makers. And I suppose you can only hide so many deaths and accusations of abuse for so long...
On May 28, 2019, Tom Hester, a spokesperson for the State Department of Human Services announced that 9 different operators would assume Bellwether's facilities, residential, and day programs. While residents would not have to re-locate, Bellwether was going into receivership after being unable to sell itself. It was crashing...hard.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that all of these 9 providers will provide better care. That's due to the enormous staffing shortage. Who wants to work with developmental and intellectually disabled adults when their salary is $11/hour? It's rewarding but exhausting and that pay doesn't always attract the best candidates for the job. It's a national crisis.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that all of these 9 providers will provide better care. That's due to the enormous staffing shortage. Who wants to work with developmental and intellectually disabled adults when their salary is $11/hour? It's rewarding but exhausting and that pay doesn't always attract the best candidates for the job. It's a national crisis.
NJ Doors Closed Tue, May 28, 2019 – A2 · Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey) · Newspapers.comStaff Shortage in New Jersey Tue, May 28, 2019 – A2 · Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey) · Newspapers.com
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