Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Lucinda E. Jesson announced Wednesday the state intends to move forward with plans to move individuals into a Nokay Lake group home for people with disabilities.
Kathy Stevens, a Nokay Lake Township supervisor and adjoining neighbor of the group home, expressed disappointment at the decision.
“Obviously, they’re not taking the safety of the residents seriously,” she said. “I’m really disgusted.”
Stevens, who operates a day care at her home, said the location is not the best for the clients, either, because of its remote location. She said state officials told her the facility would employ 16 people and would be rented for $2,100 a month.
“How can you fight the state?” she asked. “They stuck it in here without telling a soul. They’ve done everything they can to deter a good relationship with the neighbors.”
In a letter addressed to Nokay Lake Township residents, Jesson said the DHS has put safeguards in place to address neighbors’ concerns.
“We agree with feedback from the community that this property is not well-suited for individuals who have past involvement with the criminal justice system, nor is it well-suited for individuals who are medically fragile,” she wrote. “To ensure this cannot occur we will ask Crow Wing County to add a condition to our license specifically preventing such placements.”
An evaluation of the program, with community input, will be conducted at the end of the second year of operation to determine how it is working, according to Jesson’s letter. The DHS commissioner also said that in response to community feedback, the department will review and update its procedures for the future selection of sites as well as its notification procedures when a new property is purchased.
Several Nokay Lake Township residents voiced objections to the location of the group home at a July 24 meeting at the Crow Wing County Historic Courthouse.
Roger A. Deneen, director of Minnesota State Operated Community Services, said at that meeting that had he known a day care was near the group home he would have moved on to another site. He said at that meeting he would ask Commissioner Jesson to rescind the decision. The move was put on hold a day after the meeting was conducted, until Wednesday’s decision.
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, who had expressed concerns to DHS about the group home, described the outcome as a compromise that was OK.
“I’m appreciative the Department of Human Services put some restrictions on who will be residing there,” he said. “It’s a trial run.”
He said he supported providing community-based services in an appropriate setting and noted that despite initial objections, Baxter’s community-based facility is seen as an asset for people with special needs. He also said he thinks that while everyone won’t be satisfied with the decision, the dialogue between the community and DHS was productive.
“They (DHS) are going to be more proactive in their search of homes,” he said. “They understand the need to be transparent. They understand the need to be accountable. They understand the need to work with the folks in the area.”
He urged everyone to be open-minded and evaluate the situation in the future.
MIKE O’ROURKE, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5860 or mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com. He may be followed at www.twitter.com/MikeORourkenews.
Comments (17)
Add commentGroup Home
What do these morons think are going to happen if a group home opens in the "neighborhood"? Do they not know that there is one on almost every block of Brainerd? And how many of the clients have caused problems? Good luck coming up with numbers.
group home
Maybe before call people morons, you should have attended the informational meeting and gotten the facts. You said there is one on every block. That is one of the arguments; the location. Take a look at the police record for the Pillager group home in Cass County; 36 police calls in one year. The rural location is not the same as in town. There are no services here and I really think that over $25,000 per year in rent for 4 people is a bit much for taxpayers to absorb for $200,000 house in rural Brainerd! The State is having conditions placed on their license because of the type of people they were placing in the home so far from law enforcement, medical assistance and community. We have a bar and a hardware store which are not even within walking distance. How does that help get them back into the community ? DHS has publically admitted their mistake in choosing this sight but have put so much money into the home that they won't back down. We have done our research, the State did not.
Nokay Lake
Since you have done your research can you tell exactly WHO they are moving into this group home? I've heard so many tales I dont know how to judge. Now I see that it says that there will be restrictions to limit who will live there (no criminal history or high medical risks). IF those are the two "groups" you were worried about, can I ask what your concerns are now?
There
There are other things that you can worry about instead of this group home. If they aren't criminals, there is no worry. If there is a medical situation, they will take care of it.
As for criminals, have you checked your neighbors as much as you have this group home? You never know who might be casing the joint. The group home is probably the safest neighbor you can get. They are supervised.
We have one in our
We have one in our neighborhood. They are quiet neighbors and the exterior of the house and lawn are nicely maintained.
If a single family had bought this home (instead of making it a group home) the people of Nokey Lake would have no say or ability to "screen" their new neighbors. They could have a raving nut case move in and not even know it. They should give this a chance before making a stink. It might just be fine.
I do agree that group homes
I do agree that group homes are expensive though. It's a lot of investment to keep a small number of people. But since they closed the state hospitals, what other options are there? These people can't live on their own and they have to live somewhere.
Yes to group homes
Our disabled daughter lives in a group home in E. Gull Lake. It has been great for her, and there are no problems with the neighbors.
Compromise we can live with.
Way to pull up those "Big Boy Pants" and fight the good fight for this issue. Limiting the type of residents soothes the concerned and in turn being able to hang your hat on creating good paying state jobs adds to the resume at just the right time. Just like killing two birds with one stone.
Open minded?
How many times has there been "public meetings" and
whatever the action to be taken changed due to the public
input?
It looks like the public meeting is held because it legally
has to and goes ahead anyway.
Nokaylake
Really 36 calls in one year at the pillager group home? I have that in my neighborhood. So that really means nothing. As far as being so far out of town, I worked at a group home that is 8 miles farther east than this one. Isnt that what First Responders are for or arent the disabled people allowed that service for medical emergencies. If you break down that $25,000 a year it works out to $525.00 a month per resisident, that is not expensive. As far as getting the residents in the community, it means getting them in neighborhoods and living the most normal life possible. Maybe you should get to know more about group homes before you open up and say something that you know nothing about. I being a tax payer out in Nokay Lake, I am glad the state decided to move forward with the group home.
Well, I'm not for or against the group home, but....
whenever I see this: " If you break down that $25,000 a year it works out to $525.00 a month per resisident, that is not expensive"
It's usually spoken by a person that pays no taxes or a politician running for office or a school board member or teacher promoting a referendum.
Well I am none of those. I
Well I am none of those. I would just rather my money be spent on the disabled than on the people who abuse the welfare system. I also say this because I have a sibling that is disabled. The disabled need people to stand up and watch out for their needs as they can't do it on their own. Also I pay my fair share of taxes.
Employ 16 people to take care of 4?
Does anyone know what the salaries plus benefits are?
Prolly a
union shop.
Is it 16 part time or full time jobs?
16 caregivers to 4 residents seems grossly excessive. Are these part time or full time?
Well, the 16 people have to
Well, the 16 people have to cover the place 24/7. Not sure if they have 1 staff there at a time or two. It depends on the needs of the residents. There are 168 hours in 7 days. If 16 people work 40 hours each, that's 640 hours. So I'm going to guess most of those are part time workers.
if
If you've ever worked with special needs, you wouldn't have to ask about the 16. Time consuming, emotional, physically taxing..