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Woodbridge Developmental Center Supporters Visit South Amboy

By Joseph Kuchie—

SOUTH AMBOY  — Some people look forward to holidays for gifts, others look forward to it for relaxation, but most people come home for the holidays to be with their loved ones.

However, despite Christmas being right around the corner, some families are not getting the chance to relax with the people they care about the most. Many supporters of the Woodbridge Developmental Center are working tirelessly to fight the state’s decision to close the center down and displace many of their family members as early as next year.

The Woodbridge Development Center (WDC), opened in 1965, is a care facility for persons with developmental disabilities located in Woodbridge, NJ. According to the township’s website, the total population of the campus was 370 as of 2010 and has an average age of 52.

A large support group of the WDC spoke during last Wednesday’s South Amboy council meeting urging the council to draft a resolution to prevent the center from being shut down.

Led by President Joanne R. St. Amand, the Woodbridge Developmental Center Parents Association has already received resolutions and letters from five local governments urging Governor Chris Christie to reversing his decision to close the WDC. Amand spoke of her sister Rosemary, a 37-year resident of the WDC, who like many other residents cannot speak up and defend their homes.

“Back in August the Governor put a task force together and voted to close the center down even though I presented survey results showing 96 percent of the families are opposed to going into group homes and strongly support the services at the developmental centers,” Amand explained to the council. “75 percent of the residents can’t walk and most can’t speak…they don’t adjust to change well. They will stop eating. They are a fragile and silent group that needs us to speak for them.”

Rickie Cobb, a 30-year employee of the developmental center, also defended the residents and explained to the council that they are unable to defend themselves from this upcoming change. He added that the differences between the center and a group home were extensive and the damages could be severe.

“These individuals cannot defend themselves and stand up and say ‘I’ve lived here for 30-40 years, don’t take my home from me’,” Cobb said. “I’m a 30 year staff member and it’s my job to speak for them. I’ve been with most of them since the beginning and I would like to walk away knowing they are okay and will be okay.”

A document in Amand’s handout explained the difference between group homes and the current developmental centers that they are trying to defend. Although group homes play an important role in the lives of many individuals with intellectual disabilities, Amand explains that they do not offer enough professional services and oversight so needed by the severely and profoundly disabled residents of the WDC.

Perhaps the most shocking statistic came from Rex Reid, the Political and Legislative Representative for Municipal Employees. According to studies done in California and Ohio, residents that are moved from developmental centers to group homes see an increase in death rate by 47 percent.

After the presentation concluded, Joseph Connors and the rest of the council supported the WDCPA and said they would talk to other government representatives to try to make a change. Each member also signed Reid’s petition to prevent the WDC from being shut down and are expected to reach out to the state.

If you would like to learn more or help save the Woodbridge Developmental Center, you can visit www.saveourddcenters.org or call 855-786-8732.

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