I started working with people with Mental Health Diagnoses in 1980 at the MCMHC South Building which is no more (Yea!). In the early years, I assessed & worked on moving people with ID, behavioral challenges, Dual Diagnosis i.e.- ID/CMI, ID/AODA & later TBI from State Institutions (Roy Finny was my Hero & Mentor), ICF-MR's & MCMHC to Community Settings that ranged from 1-4 people. This last year, I was able to tour a European model that created a self contained community & even though it had its + benefits, it is not the kind of model that would work here. We as other Human Service Corporations believe that a person will become more assimilated to the community (& faster) than if they were isolated. I also believe that people with disabilities can teach us & change us for the better (John 9.3) because "it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him." I had the privilege of living with 2 people from SWC from 1988-2000 & I learned more from them than they learned from me. Presently, most of my work is managing an S-Corp. & 21 LLC's. I owe most of the success on the administrators, supervisors & staff for the success of our work & I pray that we will be around for a long time, but we need to let our legislators know we exist & matter. I have been a "nice", but squeaky wheel by writing them. I pray they would come over & have dinner with some of them. They would learn something new & refreshing! I guarantee it.