Parents of disabled teen defend Wisconsin independent living facility in letter to the editor

The parents of a 29-year-old developmentally and visually impaired daughter sent a letter to the editor of The Journal Times defending a Wisconsin independent living facility following a recent attack that occurred at the location. Some negative press about the facility prompted the parents to send the letter, which defends the facility their daughter currently […]

The parents of a 29-year-old developmentally and visually impaired daughter sent a letter to the editor of The Journal Times defending a Wisconsin independent living facility following a recent attack that occurred at the location.

Some negative press about the facility prompted the parents to send the letter, which defends the facility their daughter currently resides at.

“Spanning the past couple decades, we have become familiar with many of the other organizations/companies across the state that serve the handicapped,” the letter reads. “Without exception, Alpha Homes of Wisconsin provides the most comprehensive and high quality services of any.”

Alpha Homes of Wisconsin was founded in 1986 with the belief that people with disabilities are valuable individuals capable of contributing to the community in which they live, according to their website.

“We are dedicated to empowering individuals to live and participate in community life, to meet their dreams and desire to live in the least restrictive setting. We take pride in providing a nurturing home environment and establishing a relationship with each individual based on friendship, trust, and support rather than custodial supervision.”

Alpha Homes has customized programs to represent individual clients’ needs.

“We are writing in response to recent stories covered in this newspaper about Alpha Homes of Wisconsin. … They currently operate 23 four-bed homes in the Racine and Kenosha areas. People placed in their care suffer from severe developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities, mental illness, communication problems and hearing and vision problems,” the parents wrote.

The couple is referring to an incident last month in which the home’s manager called police to report a man had attacked a woman at one of the homes run by Alpha Homes.

A 21-year-old resident living at the facility was charged in connection to the incident.

According to the criminal complaint, the man punched and damaged a wall at the home and tried to throw an office chair. Police were called after the man became aggressive to a woman at the location and tried to punch her, but she was able to block the punch, according to the report.

The family who wrote the news outlet said Alpha Homes runs a tight ship and require excellence from their staff.

“Caring for these people requires special caregivers who provide extensive personal cares like bathing and managing toileting needs, dispensing medications, preparing meals, feeding the clients, dressing and undressing the clients, doing the laundry and taking the clients to doctor and dentist appointments, just to name a few,” the letter reads. “They require excellence from their staff and excellent care of the handicapped people in their homes. They all maintain good communication with the legal guardians and family members of their clients. They also do a superb job of maintaining the physical house and yard of the homes they operate which are in regular residential neighborhoods.”