Posted: Friday, November 26, 2004 12:00 am
ROCK SPRINGS (AP) - The Southwest Wyoming Rehabilitation Center, which currently cannot accept new admissions because it is under state investigation, is proceeding with plans to expand and improve its programs.
SWRC President Randy Howdyshell said the nonprofit organization is being investigated by the Wyoming Department of Developmental Disabilities for alleged client care problems, but he said the investigation should not last much longer.
Howdyshell said the center has submitted a plan of correction to the state, and the department has been receptive to it. He is expecting the admissions freeze to be lifted by the second week in December.
"I feel we have more solid systems in place," Howdyshell said.
SWRC is serving 64 adults and 11 children who have developmental disabilities and six adults with brain injury. Howdyshell said the center has room for six to eight new clients, and about that many have expressed interest in joining the program once the freeze is lifted.
Part of the center's problems has been with staffing, but in September the employees of SWRC voted to unionize with the International Union of Operating Engineers. Howdyshell sees this as an opportunity to bring more stability in staffing the center.
"We feel that together we can make improvements," said Howdyshell, noting part of the negotiations has revolved around the union helping recruit and train employees.
"We are hoping the union will help retain people once they get here," he said.
Richard Spencer, representative for the union, said the negotiations are going well and the union is pleased with how the center has stopped being adversarial and adapted a "What can we do for you?" attitude.
In anticipation of lifting the admissions freeze, Howdyshell said, SWRC is looking for donations to help expand its programs. About 95 percent of SWRC's funding comes from the state, which distributes Medicaid money to SWRC clients.
Howdyshell said the center hopes to replace its fleet of 26 vehicles and get more clients jobs in the community.
"The days of sheltered workshops and people with disabilities having work come to them is going by the wayside," he said.
Howdyshell also said he would like to see SWRC serving more people who have suffered brain injuries and improve the program for those with brain injuries.