3870
JOINT RESOLUTIONS
established to study the development of community
residences as an alternative to
institutionalization.
WHEREAS, It is now generally accepted that small
community facilities are vastly superior to large
institutional settings for care, treatment and
rehabilitation of the mentally ill, mentally retarded,
the offender and the juvenile in need of supervision; and
WHEREAS, Each of these individuals is a human being
and thus entitled to dignified and humane consideration;
and
WHEREAS, Primarily because of the lack of
understanding, insufficient funds and limited resources
there has been no continuing or concerted effort to
develop necessary community facilities; and
WHEREAS, Without a continuing and concerted effort
to develop and coordinate adequate services, no
significant and lasting positive correction of existing
institutional models can be obtained; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
this Body requests that the Governor, President of the
Senate and Speaker of the House of Delegates establish a
commission for the purpose of investigating current
programs, studying the development of community
residences, and seeking solutions to common problems.
The Commission should consist of at least three members
appointed by the Governor representative of voluntary
citizens groups which shall include a minimum of one
concerned with the mentally retarded, and one concerned
with the mentally ill; three representatives of State
administrative agencies including the Departments of
Health and Rental Hygiene, Employment and Social
Services, and Public Safety and Correctional Services,
and three representatives of the legislature; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Commission shall investigate and
analyze the common problems of community—based treatment
and residential facilities, such as the following;
site—finding: local zoning ordinances and the building
codes; staff recruitment, training, and supervision;
personnel policies; transportation, logistics,
maintenance, and hygiene; community relations;
counselling, other special services, diet, entertainment,
and activities: exchange of information on vacancies;
standardized legal documents: measurement of progress,
auditing, and oversight; maximizing participation in
Federal, State, and local programs: coordination of
|