ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Ray of Hope for Troubled Lives

Things got to be quite a mess last year at Casa Grande, a 91-person facility in Anaheim for the developmentally disabled. Now, with the cooperation of state licensing administrators and a solid performance so far by a nonprofit group now operating the home, it looks as if Casa Grande finally is pulling out of its earlier difficulties. But the situation is still precarious, and all concerned need to work together to ensure that the much-needed facility survives.

Casa Grande is one of only a handful of facilities in the state that provide resident care for disabled people, many of whom are elderly and severely handicapped. But last year the previous operators, Bryant and Marie Salvidar, were warned that their Medi-Cal funding was in jeopardy after inspections revealed alleged deficiencies in their management, including lax record-keeping and a failure to provide appropriate daytime activities. Daytime activities are important because an intermediate-care facility for people with severe handicaps must do more than just board them; it must also help those who are able to become more independent.

The nonprofit group that took over the operation, Casa Grande Community Care Inc., has been demonstrating that it takes the job seriously. Now that the previous operators are out of the picture, however, the facility’s owner, Barbara Weiner, still has a lingering concern about the viability of Casa Grande. Her concern is understandable, but the group is poised to take over the operation for the long term, if Weiner gives it that opportunity.

Confidence in the new management would appear warranted. A well-regarded new administrator, Shelly Andresen, has been hired. Meanwhile, George M. Fisher, who heads up the nonprofit group, is working hard to demonstrate overall financial viability both to the state and to Weiner. The state has helped by extending by 45 days the licensing deadline, which expired March 7. The extension gives the group a chance to show that it has adequate backing to survive over the long term.

So far, all those involved, including the families of clients, seem pleased with recent improvements at Casa Grande. That is a hopeful sign.

Working through the difficulties is important so that disabled clients can remain at Casa Grande. Losing the facility would leave Orange County without a vital resource for people with few places to go.