Bethesda Lutheran Communities plans to reduce the number of group homes and programs it offers for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin and transfer them to another company, according to a Tuesday statement.
Bethesda is in the midst of final discussions with Kentucky-based ResCare. If they finalize the agreement, Bethesda will transition facilities and operations of about 30 of their programs in the state to ResCare on Oct. 7. Two of those are related to day services and employment supports, while the rest are group homes, according to spokeswoman Jacquelyn Gozdowiak.
“The current people that Bethesda supports can transition to ResCare programs or they (and their families) are free to choose another provider, if they like,” she wrote in an email. “It is important to understand that in spite of these changes, no person will be left without the full transition of support to another provider.”
Bethesda will continue with 19 programs in Wisconsin and doesn’t plan further reductions. As part of the agreement, ResCare will offer most of the impacted employees jobs.
“Our focus in the future will rely less on operating group homes and more on expanding programs and services that foster independence and integration with the community,” the statement noted.