PORTLAND, Ore. (July 21, 2016) – Jeff Carr, CEO of Albertina Kerr, has issued the following statement in response to the shooting by Miami police of a direct support professional as he was escorting a man with autism back to the center where his care was provided.
“Direct support professionals who take care of our most vulnerable citizens, adults with developmental disabilities, are part of a vulnerable community themselves. These caretakers not only put others before themselves, but are also dedicated to providing constant care to those with mental and developmental disabilities. Charles Kinsey, the caregiver who was shot by police in Miami, Florida, is one of these individuals.
This tragic incident calls attention to the serious need for law enforcement officials to become better educated in understanding and identifying people with developmental disabilities. Albertina Kerr is a strong advocate for providing public education relating to behavioral, mental and developmental disabilities. We are open to partnering with local police and safety officials throughout the state of Oregon to expand their education and understanding of these vulnerable individuals.
While we are glad that Charles Kinsey’s injury was not critical, we hope that at both a state and national level our police can see this as an opportunity to better educate their employees to prevent incidents such as this from occurring in the future.
Direct care professionals are unique individuals who choose to perform selfless work. The intensive level of care necessary to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable adults with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges requires specialty 24-hour care in group home settings in their community. Across the entire State of Oregon, the Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition estimates 38,000 Oregonians experience a developmental disability.
Many of these individuals cannot take care of themselves and need full-time assistance. Yet the full-time care givers are being put at risk if they cannot feel safe in their communities while providing support to those who can’t support themselves.”
