· Texas has more institutions than any other state.  Currently, Texas institutionalizes more people with disabilities than New York state and California combined.

· About 4500 adults and children are warehoused in 13 state institutions.

· Texas has more children in institutions than any other state.

· The Department of Justice has entered a settlement agreement with Texas and continues to monitor the institutions for numerous civil rights violations. 

· It costs more than twice as much tax-payer dollars to warehouse people in institutions compared to community-based services.

· In Texas, state institutions for people with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities are titled “State Supported Living Centers.”  This messaging is a misrepresentation.  These places congregate large numbers of people with disabilities, often against their wishes to live in the community.

· Institutions were created more than 50 years ago and families were often told by professionals to place their young child with an Intellectual Disability at an institution.  Many parents did just that and over the years, Texas developed 13 institutions, more than any other state, warehousing about 4500 people.  At least 10 states no longer have institutions.

 As the legislature is recommending cuts to services, state institutions continue to absorb triple the funds of community services.  There are 100,000 people waiting for community services.  Waiting for 8-10 years.  

    1. All individuals wishing to leave state   institutions should be able to leave and the public funds from the institution should follow that person into the community.

     2. The Texas Legislature must direct the Health and Human Services agency to develop a plan to close institutions as the population decreases.

     3. All public funds saved from closures of institutions must be re-directed to fund the huge waiting lists of individuals with disabilities who choose to live in the Community.

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