LAWRENCE COUNTY Services for retarded lacking, parents say

Lawrence County has about 300 people on waiting lists for services.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Every morning Gearhard Klann gets up and tries to pack a lunch, but his mother, Margaret, has to tell him it's not needed.
Klann, 36, has autism, mental retardation and epilepsy, and until a year ago he attended a daily workshop for developmentally disabled people.
Then his family moved from Anaheim, Calif., to New Castle.
"I was told there would be a place for him at Lark [a Lawrence County work facility for the disabled] before we moved, but when we got here I was told there was no money," his mother said. He is on a waiting list for funding, she said.
Concerned parents: Margaret Klann was one of about 50 parents who met with Lawrence County and state mental health-mental retardation officials Wednesday night at The Center Banquet Hall to talk about gaps in services for the developmentally disabled in Lawrence County.
Mental retardation officials say they know the system isn't perfect, but they are working to make it better.
The key, they say, is parental involvement.
"Lawrence County is dependent on funding we receive from the commonwealth. There needs to be a strong advocacy from the parents. I suggest you organize your efforts and collectively try to advocate," said John Klenotic, director of Lawrence County Mental Health/Mental Retardation.
But parents say they are already advocating for their children and there are still gaps.
All the work: "I'm very disappointed in the system. I feel like I'm doing all the work and I have no backup. I feel like I'm going your job," said Louise Pallerino, who is president of the Midwest Chapter Autism Society of Pennsylvania.
Pallerino, who has an 8-year-old autistic son, said most younger children are getting the services they need, but the gaps in services seem to be for adults and older teens.
Some parents have hired attorneys and went to elected state officials to get services they believe the local MH/MR office should be advocating for, she said.
Many are on waiting lists for funding to pay for programs or devices they need, she said.
Lawrence County's waiting lists include about 300 people, said Kathy Shevetz of Lawrence County MH/MR. Most are receiving some services, but are waiting for enhanced services, she said.
Funding basis: Mary Puskarich, regional program manager for the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Retardation, said state funding for programs is based on yearly plans submitted by each county.
"Those counties that take the time to put together detailed plans will get the funds. If the plans are consistent and clear each year, that's how counties get the money," she said.
State officials are working on initiatives to provide better services, including a complete overhauling of the state offices for MH/MR, which should be complete in the next few years, she said.
There is also a bill in the state legislature and an initiative started by Gov. Tom Ridge to allocate enough funding for the state's mental retardation services to eliminate waiting lists over a five-year period.
This year's proposed state budget also has more money allocated for community mental retardation services and early intervention programs, Klenotic said.
Has hope: "I'm very excited about it. It should have a favorable impact on waiting list initiatives," he said.
But until then, the mental retardation officials say they must work with the funding they get and try to identify the needs within the county.
Klenotic said they hope to have more meetings with parents to identify those needs.