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| For more information contact: Joe Thornton For immediate release Rates set to increase for adult residential care In an effort to better serve individuals placed in residential settings, Governor Bob Wise is announcing a rate increase for licensed personal care homes, residential board and care and adult family care homes. Beginning July 1 the residential care facilities will see their daily rate go to $24.99 for adult family care homes and to $30 daily for licensed personal care homes and residential board and care homes. "This rate increase is a significant effort on the part of the state to provide quality care for one of our most precious resources, our people," said Governor Wise. "Individuals placed in these facilities are typically the elderly and disabled adults unable to remain in their homes. Ensuring they receive quality care is of paramount importance and the rate increase should help secure additional placements for this vulnerable population." Since 1993, when the client population was over 1,100 residents, placement in these adult care facilities has dropped to under 700. The desire is, while ensuring quality care for all who need it, by raising the service provider rates the state can continue to place clients in the type of arrangement that is most appropriate and least restrictive to that individual. Population trends continue to be very clear in West Virginia, which currently has the third highest percentage in the country of adults over age 65. Projections indicate that by 2020, one of every three West Virginians will be 60 years of age or older. This, coupled with the highest percentage of handicapped residents in the nation, the importance of investing money for better service and placement care is critical. For more information contact Deb Dodrill at the Bureau for Children and Families at 304-558-7980. – 30 – |