Visit to Richmond State School.

 J. Olmanson    

June 9, 2000     9:30am to 3:30pm   

 Location:  Richmond State School is located approximately 25 miles from Houston, Texas. The school is close to Texas Southern University, Rice University, the University of Houston and several other major universities. It is located within 10 minutes of the Behavior Treatment and Training Center, 1818 Collins Road. The state school is quite isolated from the city of Richmond, similar to what one might expect of a small private rural bible college.

 Treatment services provided are: Education and Training (Pre-Academic, Self-Help, Academic, Pre-Vocational, and Chaplainry Services), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Music Therapy, Nutritional Services, and Therapeutic Riding), Vocational Services, Aquatics, and Recreation. With the opening of the riding area, petting zoo, and the Jones Wing of the Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Center in the spring of 1992, the Richmond State School had the most comprehensive hippotherapy (physical, speech, and occupational therapy using horses) programs in the Southwest.

 Special Equipment observed and read about includes: a petting zoo, pool, stimulation equipment, physical 

therapy equipment (stairs, double bars for walking, individualized form fitted body molds for sitting and reclining

 comfort).

 Client products include beads on a string, and other small item assembly. A group of individuals were 

observed practicing ordering and correctly demonstrating the skills they would need to “graduate to the assembly

of sellable products.”

 Staff training: there seemed to be a negative correlation between education level and the amount to direct 

contact with the individuals. The program supervisors were well educated and seldom observed in any training 

session with individuals at the state school (it should be noted that this report writer is merely making subjective 

observations from his limited time at the facility). On the other hand, those with the most contact with the 

individuals were at a low pay level, they were also not required to have a two nor four year degree. 

Depending on level of impairment, a typical day consisted of copious TV watching (though probably not more than the average American), physical therapy, vocational training, speech, respiratory, nutrition therapy as well as group member interaction. Though improved from what was related by an individual who visited in the 1970’s, a typical day still seemed very far removed from a LRE, or HLE (highly loving environment).

 Contact Information: Dennis Murph  e-mail dennis.murph@mhmr.state.tx.us 

Tel. (281) 232-2075

Internet information sources:

Texas Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation

http://www.mhmr.state.tx.us/Schools/RichmondSS/RichmondSS.html

Claire Chipman, director of the Therapeutic Riding Program for Richmond State School  e-mail  Claire.Chipman@mhmr.state.tx.us or Claire.chipm@mhmr.state.tx.us

 Method of Referral: It did not seem as if they were admitting anyone to the facility who was not ordered by the courts to report to the state school. Typically parents, school faculty, or doctors can refer an individual.