Most Residents to Relocate to the Community, Process to Occur Over Next 18 Months

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 15, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today signed an Executive Order to close Rosewood Center, a state-run facility that has served individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland for more than 100 years.  The process to relocate residents is expected to take 18 months.

Most of the 156 residents of the facility that is operated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) will be offered placements in community settings.  The Department will work with each individual to identify the most appropriate services and setting.

“Over the years, much progress has been made in caring for individuals with disabilities and helping people live to their fullest potential as active members of their community.  The physical conditions at Rosewood no longer allow us to provide the level of care that every individual deserves,” Governor O’Malley said.  “As we move forward, we will work with direct-care workers who have given so much of themselves at Rosewood, the residents, families and advocates to provide the highest quality of care.”

DHMH representatives will work with the residents, their families and advocate groups to ensure the community placement provides the best possible outcome.  Department leaders will be meeting with Rosewood staff and union representatives to outline future employment options.  There are 513 full time employees and 42 contractual workers at the facility.

“This will be a thoughtful, deliberative and open process,” said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers.  “Our commitment has been, and remains to work individually with each resident to provide the best possible care and services without interruption both now and in the future.”

In recent years, Rosewood has been plagued by a number of problems that have affected the safety and well-being of its residents.  The state’s Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), in its recent annual audits of the center, revealed many disturbing findings.  In September 2006, OHCQ issued an ‘immediate jeopardy’ letter to the facility that outlined a number of critical problems that required immediate attention.  In January of 2007, admissions to Rosewood were halted after another immediate jeopardy.  In August of 2007, the facility was found to be non-compliant in seven of eight conditions of licensure participation and was issued another immediate jeopardy letter.  Although many of these problems have been corrected, the combination of an out-dated facility with a mix of court-committed and civilly-placed residents has led to the decision to close the center.

DHMH has finalized, Rosewood Center - Plan for Services to Residents, a document called for by the Maryland General Assembly’s passage of HB 970 in 2007.  The report assesses each resident at Rosewood, identifies his or her needs, and determines the appropriateness of community placement.  Findings show the overwhelming majority of the residents can live in community settings.

Although transitioning residents to community settings is possible, it is not a simple matter.  Expansion of community capacity is necessary and adequate funding for these services must be identified.  As a result, the department has determined it will take 18 months to complete the closure process.

The Department of Planning will work with Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, county officials, and community residents to plan for the future use of the property.    

Background on Rosewood Center

Rosewood Center was established as the “Asylum and Training School for the Feeble Minded” in 1888 on a 683-acre property near the Owings Mills area of Baltimore County.  In 1912, its name was changed to the Rosewood State Training School and in 1961 it became the Rosewood State Hospital.  It later acquired the current Rosewood Center designation.

At its peak, the campus consisted of 43 buildings totaling nearly 730,000 square feet.  State records show the first building -- one that is no longer in active use -- opened in 1892.  Today, Rosewood Center consists of 300 acres.  Twenty acres of the Center are designated as conservation zoning.  There are 26 buildings comprising more than 480,000 square feet in active use.  Many of the buildings in current use were constructed in the 1950s and 1960s, though one dates back to 1895. 

Rosewood residents represent a broad spectrum of disabilities including people with mental retardation and challenging behaviors, people with complex medical needs, and people with developmental disabilities who have been involved with the criminal justice system and court-ordered for services. At one time, Rosewood was home to nearly 3,000 individuals.   It is licensed to serve a total of 225 residents.  As January 15, 2008, 156 individuals live at Rosewood.