To the Editor:
The July 2-8, 2015 Springfield Connection article ("Coming Home to Queen of Peace") addressed an ongoing issue on how best to serve the needs of people in providing quality care services. The State of Illinois, Department of Mental Health & Disabilities in the 1970s, some 43 years ago, had the same concerns as the State of Virginia and Fairfax Country have now. At that time, I was the budget officer for the Illinois Dept. of Mental Health & Disabilities during the period 1972 -1976. The state passed legislation to dismantle its 1890s mental health institutions and build community centers throughout the entire state. It was an expense not only to be paid from state funds, but also, from counties' government funding entities. No private funds were used to buy or build homes in which to integrate community settings. As a current resident of Fairfax County, I applaud the Knights of Columbus St. Mary of Sorrows Council in helping people with disabilities. From my previous experience in arranging state funding for building community centers, I support the cooperative spirit of the Knights of Columbus in its initiative to improve the quality of life for those needing special services here in Fairfax County.
Ronald L. Baker
Springfield