Allegheny County

Group homes, family members struggle to keep routines during COVID-19

PITTSBURGH — For more than two months now, people living in facilities have not been allowed to have visitors because of the coronavirus. For those living with intellectual disabilities in the 5,400 group homes across the state, it’s challenging as they are used to their routine.

"It's been it's very sad for me," Diana Knoll of Shaler said. "I missed him terribly."

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Knoll said she’s not seen her son for the past two months. 30-year old Jason, known to many as JJ, has an intellectual disability and is one of the thousands of Pennsylvanians who live in a group home setting. Just like nursing homes, the state has shut down visitors to group homes.

“The last time I think that we saw each other in person was March 14,” Knoll said. “That’s pretty incredible, because I think before that in his 30 years our longest separation was maybe 13 days.”

While most families moved to virtually interacting during this time, Knoll said that isn’t possible for people like JJ.

“There are days where I do cry, it’s really emotional for me. I mean, he’s 30 years old but he developmentally isn’t 30 years old he’s like a little guy developmentally,” Knoll said. “So, you know I worry does he just think, I don’t want to come see him.”

People in group homes are cared for by direct support professionals or DSPs. One of JJ’s caretakers is Katie Texter, who said she loves her job.

“We show up for work every day, COVID-19 or not, to make sure their needs are met. And health and safety come first,” Texter said.

In early March, JJ had a possible exposure and had to be quarantined. Two of his caretakers left their own young children to stay with him. Texter nearly missed her 5-year-old daughter’s birthday.

“I was willing to miss her birthday, not because I wanted to, but because I wanted to keep Jason safe,” Texter said.

Valley Advantages Executive Director Kathy Carlson said 30 of 150 staff members stepped up to stay in their 12 group homes if needed.

"It's a ripple effect. And this system, you can't do anything alone," she told Channel 11.

PA Connecting Communities, a state advocacy group, said in 2018 there were more than 55,000 DSPs with an average salary of $12.83 per hour. The group has been calling this situation a crisis.

For families like JJ’s, Texter and the other thousands of DSP’s are a blessing.

“Without them, I mean, I can’t even imagine what would happen,” said Knoll.

Even once our area moves to yellow, visits to group homes and nursing homes still won’t be allowed.

Carlson says they face a high turnover rate with DSP’s and according to the state there is no registry for how many work in the state.