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Mumpower Challenges State Dismantling of Sheltered Workshops |
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Citing the "abysmal track record" demonstrated by the State of North Carolina in redefining the mental health system, Asheville City Councilman and candidate for the 11th District Congressional seat, Carl Mumpower, has urged caution with the latest proposal to dismantle the state sheltered workshop system. "Jobs are our best social service - bar none, and helping folks with disabilities be productive citizens is the highest form of government assistance." "Until we fix the thing that is really broken, the model of leadership by appointed and elected officials in Raleigh, tinkering with a program that is more about autonomy than dependence on subsistence handouts is getting the cart before the horse." Mumpower has recently raised the question on why there have been no recall efforts and other accountabilities directed toward the state officials who have shepherded a series of what are widely viewed as failed mental health system adjustments resulting in "dramatic harms to people and communities in WNC". "The persisting disruptions in our mental system are increasing community hospital costs, burdening law enforcement, feeding the drug culture, and contributing to the overall decline in the stability of Asheville and other communities in North Carolina". Mumpower indicated that he intends to continue pressing for improved government efficiencies with the three legs of the "Community Safety Equation" - effective drug enforcement, comprehensive mental health services, and a 21st century court system that deters crime. "We are continually chasing out tails by developing new entitlement initiatives to address the results of neglected core government services on!
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