About
MRAU
Mission
Statement
MRAU
was
founded
in
1948
as
a
volunteer
advocacy
organization
dedicated
to
fostering
the
dignity
and
actualization
of
people
with
mental
retardation
and
developmental
disabilities
in
the
state
of
Utah.
I.
We
support
individuals
with
mental
retardation
and
developmental
disabilities,
in
partnership
with
their
families
/
guardians,
as
the
primary
decision
makers
with
regard
to
living
arrangements
and
support
services.
II.
We
work
actively
with
Congress,
State
elected
officials,
government
agencies,
and
all
other
concerned
organizations
to
improve
the
quality
of
services
and
life
satisfaction
in
both
institutional
and
community
provider
settings.
III.
We
educate
individuals,
their
families
and
guardians
about
their
rights
and
services
so
that
they
are
empowered
to
exercise
full
freedom
of
choice.
IV.
We
promote
the
involvement
of
society
in
the
lives
of
people
with
mental
retardation
and
developmental
disabilities,
irrespective
of
the
settings
in
which
they
live,
work,
or
recreate.
Vision
Statement
MRAU
will
be
a
source
of
strength,
support
and
information
for
all
individuals
having
mental
retardation
and
developmental
disabilities,
their
families
and
their
guardians.
Working
together
with
schools,
allied
charitable
organizations,
professionals,
legislators,
and
all
other
concerned
parties,
we
will
promote
the
general
welfare
and
best
interests
of
those
who
can,
as
well
as
those
who
cannot,
speak
for
themselves.
Core
Values
People
with
mental
disabilities
and
their
families/guardians
should
be
empowered
to
have
as
much
control
as
possible
over
their
individual
lives.
- People
should
be
safe,
free
from
abuse
and
neglect.
- Society
has
a
responsibility
to
educate
public
and
government
officials
regarding
the
needs
of
people
with
developmental
disabilities
and
mental
retardation.
- We
recognize
that
individuals
are
unique
and
therefore
we
emphasize
individualized
person-centered
planning.
- Support
systems
should
be
in
place
for
people
with
developmental
disabilities/mental
retardation
and
their
families.
- We
support
community
quality
assurance
standards
and
a
system
of
monitoring
with
appropriate
parental/guardian
input.
MRAU
Board
of
Directors
|
MRAU
Board
of
Directors
|
MRAU
Executive
Committee
|
|
Anderson,
Lillian
Bellows,
Dennis
Day,
Don
Jex,
James
“Jim”
Kesler,
Steve
Mace,
LaReal
Meyer,
Bonnie
Peters,
Debbie
Riddell,
Dawn
Riddell,
Rod
Robinson,
Dean
Robinson,
Ramona
Sims,
Benjamin
A.
“Ben”
Twiggs,
Boyd
Williams,
Beth
Ann
Zitzmann,
Carola
|
Jim
Jex
–
President
Boyd
Twiggs
–
Treasurer
Bonnie
Meyer
–
Secretary
Dennis
Bellows
Dawn
Riddell
Rod
Riddell
Dean
Robinson
Carola
Zitzmann
|
MRAU
Milestones
MRAU
was
organized
in
1948
as
the
Parent
Association
for
the
Utah
State
Training
School
(now
known
at
the
Utah
State
Developmental
Center);
our
name
was
the
Children's
Benevolent
League
of
Utah
(CBLU).
There
have
been
several
name
changes
over
the
years,
the
Mental
Retardation
Association
of
Utah
being
the
latest.
This
has
recently
been
shortened
and
our
organization
is
now
known
simply
as
MRAU.
MRAU
has
worked
hard
to
make
a
difference
in
the
lives
of
those
with
a
disability
of
mental
retardation,
and
in
the
lives
of
their
families.
A
great
deal
has
been
accomplished
over
the
years,
but
nothing
has
happened
by
chance.
Change
has
come
because
the
membership
and
our
directors
are
now,
and
always
have
been,
dedicated
to
the
big
picture,
to
obtaining
quality
programs
and
assistance
for
those
we
serve.
Please
continue
reading
for
some
past
accomplishments
of
our
pioneer
organization
serving
persons
with
disabilities
over
the
years
since
1948
to
the
present.
1948-1950
Chapters
were
established
in
various
counties
throughout
Utah.
We
met
with
forty-two
parent
representatives
to
unite
our
efforts
under
the
banner
of
a
national
group
called
Parents
and
Friends
of
Children
with
Mental
Retardation.
We
later
changed
the
name
of
this
national
organization
to
the
National
Association
for
Retarded
Citizens
(NARC).
1951
We
became
a
charter
member
of
NARC.
During
the
‘50’s,
our
first
president,
Alton
F.
Lund,
became
NARC’s
fifth
president.
1952
Our
Salt
Lake
County
Chapter
established
one
of
the
first
day
care
facilities
for
the
mentally
retarded
in
a
house
in
the
Salt
Lake
City
Sugarhouse
Fairmont
Park,
which
was
later
the
Rotary
Training
Center.
1953
The
Association’s
name
was
changed
to
the
Utah
Association
for
Retarded
Children
(UARC),
and
we
expanded
our
function
statewide
in
order
to
correspond
and
identify
with
the
national
scene.
1954-1958
During
this
time,
we
were
instrumental
in
gaining
the
interest
of
many
service
clubs,
organizations,
and
other
folks
to
volunteer
their
time,
talents,
and
financial
contributions
to
the
residents
at
USTS.
1959
We
took
the
leadership
in
establishing
the
first
group
homes
in
Utah.
UARC
split
from
our
organization
because
at
that
time,
our
seventh
president,
Dr.
Edgar
Stultz,
was
UARC’s
first
president.
Our
association
took
the
name
of
STSARC
(State
Training
School
Association
for
Retarded
Children),
and
became
a
member
of
UARC.
In
the
1960’s
we
led
the
way
with
the
first
major
effort
of
lobbying
in
behalf
of
the
retarded.
From
this
grew
a
continuing
legislative
program
which
saw
substantial
increases
in
state
and
federal
funding
for
USTS
as
well
as
funding
for
other
services
in
communities
throughout
the
state.
-
Many
major
bills
were
sponsored
over
the
years
by
MRAU.
-
Started
the
annual
Christmas
party.
-
Provided
Christmas
gift
socks
for
all
residents
of
USTS.
-
Backed
and
aided
with
the
development
and
formation
of
Fairyland
Park.
-
Donated
many
items
such
as
TV
sets,
record
players,
and
other
furniture
items
to
residents
and
their
buildings.
For
many
years
our
members
have
served
on
councils,
committees,
and
advisory
and
policy-making
boards
at
the
local,
state,
and
national
level.
In
so
doing,
we
have
made
vital
and
significant
contributions
benefiting
the
disabled.
1962
Our
members
contacted
Hal
Knight,
a
reporter
for
the
Deseret
News,
who
wrote
a
series
of
impartial
articles
appearing
in
the
News.
This
brought
to
the
public
attention
some
upgrading
that
needed
to
be
done
at
USTS.
The
series
was
later
published
in
a
brochure
entitled:
“Utah’s
Black
Eye:
Training
School.”
This
brought
about
some
good
changes
and
upgrading
at
the
institution.
Our
organization
established
a
Cottage
Coordination
Committee,
composed
of
parents
of
USTS
residents.
Over
the
years,
countless
hours,
many
items
and
improvements,
and
thousands
of
dollars
have
been
donated
by
MRAU.
This
has
funded
many
individual
cottage
projects,
providing
many
“extras”
for
the
residents.
1963-1966
With
the
help
of
USTS’s
new
superintendent,
Dr.
Guy
Richards,
we
made
sweeping
changes
as
the
“open
door”
policy
became
a
dream
come
true
for
the
parents.
The
first
major
federal
grants
were
obtained
providing
new
and
improved
programs
for
the
residents.
Numerous
fund
raising
projects
were
held
by
MRAU,
and
funds
from
these
events
went
to
improve
USTS.
Projects
such
as
the
canteen,
playground
equipment,
a
metabolic
and
genetic
laboratory,
a
greenhouse,
dental
equipment,
and
much
more
were
funded
at
this
time,
and
throughout
the
years
since.
1967
Through
our
organization
and
Dr.
Sagers,
superintendent
of
USTS,
the
school
received
major
increases
in
state
and
federal
funding.
Many
advantages
for
USTS
were
seen
in
new
and
innovative
programming,
and
in
a
cooperative
relationship
between
parents
and
the
administration.
1968
We
helped
USTS
open
and
finance
a
sheltered
workshop
pilot
program
in
the
community
of
Pleasant
Grove.
This
was
the
first
off
campus
workshop
of
USTS.
1969
We
established
a
joint
relationship
between
USTS
and
the
College
of
Medicine
at
the
University
of
Utah
Hospital.
This
was
accomplished
through
a
cooperative
effort
by
all.
This
relationship
has
been
a
great
asset
to
clients
and
everybody
involved.
In
the
later
‘60’s,
we
helped
establish
the
first
community
group
homes
in
the
state
under
USTS
administration,
as
well
as
purchase
furniture
and
other
helps
for
other
community
programs.
1970-1971
We
provided
an
ongoing
public
education
program
through
the
media
of
TV,
radio,
and
newspapers.
Our
newsletter,
“The
Utah
Beeline,”
gained
national
and
state
interest
and
recognition.
We
produced
brochures,
slide
and
film
presentations,
began
a
speakers
bureau,
and
also
provided
referrals
and
other
information
to
parents
and/or
family
members.
1972
We
changed
our
name
to
the
Mental
Retardation
Association
of
Utah
(MRAU).
We
also
expanded
our
role
in
advocacy
statewide,
and
opened
the
Value
Village
Thrift
stores
in
Salt
Lake
City
as
a
fund
raising
project.
1973
We
received
a
three-year
federal
grant
to
provide
a
statewide
advocacy
program
for
the
retarded,
which
included
personal
one-on-one
legal
and
medical
advocacy
by
volunteers—caring
persons
who,
many
times,
were
not
related.
We
also
received
another
federal
grant
to
provide
a
statewide
community
education
program
for
the
retarded,
through
utilization
of
community
schools,
that
consisted
of
self-help
skills
and
leisure
activities.
A
five-year
program
was
operated
from
Logan
to
St.
George.
1974
We
provided
the
first
money
contribution
for
building
the
Adventure
and
Learning
Park
at
the
north
end
of
USTS
property.
Eventually,
we
donated
$21,000
and
aided
in
the
full
development
of
this
park,
which
consisted
of
a
number
of
picnic
tables,
benches,
a
large
lake
with
paddle
boats,
fishing,
etc.
This
park
was
enjoyed
by
many
USTS
residents
for
years,
although
it
was
later
leased
to
the
county
due
to
the
expense
of
repairs,
clean-up,
and
upkeep.
MRAU
formed
a
new
national
organization,
the
Mental
Retardation
Association
of
America
(MRAA).
Representatives
from
twenty-two
states
met
in
Chicago
to
form
the
new
association,
which
represented
a
strong
national
voice
for
the
continuation
of
institutions
for
the
retarded
at
a
time
when
the
deinstitutionalization
movement
was
beginning.
From
this
time
to
the
present,
MRAU
has
worked
hard
to
keep
USTS
open
and
have
it
as
a
choice
for
parents.
MRAA
helped
to
turn
the
tide
toward
a
realistic
and
common
sense
philosophy.
The
slogan
“The
Balanced
Approach”
was
coined.
MRAU
and
MRAA
support
both
quality
institutional
and
quality
community
programs.
1975
MRAU
successfully
defended
USTS
against
a
TV
news
series
exposé,
and
provided
leadership
in
response
through
the
media.
We
funded
and
produced
a
30-minute
TV
special
in
answer
to
the
accusations
called
“In
Prospective—USTS.”
1976
MRAU
received
a
service
contract
from
the
state
to
operate
eight
group
homes.
We
established
two
new
committees
to
monitor
USTS’s
physical
buildings,
client
care,
program
involvement,
and
the
aversive
therapy
and
human
rights
programs.
Through
the
Cottage
Committee,
our
Association
provided
a
surrogate
parent
function
for
USTS
residents
without
parental
involvement.
1977-1980
The
1980’s
were
filled
with
many
challenges
and
successes.
We
increased
our
determination
and
our
fiscal
strength,
and
looked
forward,
with
confidence,
to
a
sound
and
productive
future.
Largely
due
to
dedicated
presidents,
board
members,
and
committee
parents,
we
grew
to
new
and
greater
heights
with
even
more
conviction
to
maintain
all
residential
services
such
as
those
provided
at
USTS
(the
first
and
only
state-owned
intermediate
care
facility),
privately
owned
intermediate
care
facilities,
and
community
group
homes.
MRAU
gained
obvious
prominence
as
we
helped
build
outstanding
improvements
and
programs
including,
but
not
limited
to,
the
parent
monitoring
programs
both
in
the
community
and
at
USTS,
as
well
as
being
active
in
the
Legislative
Coalition
at
the
Utah
State
Capital.
1988
MRAU
received
a
federal
grant
to
provide
volunteer
advocates
for
individuals
at
USTS
and
in
the
community
who
were
unable
to
represent
themselves.
This
included
an
advocate
training
manual
which
was
used
in
the
extensive
training
of
volunteers.
We
remained
active
in
the
Legislative
Coalition
for
People
with
Developmental
Disabilities
1990s
MRAU
extended
greater
advocacy
service
to
individuals
living
in
group
homes,
at
USDC
(Utah
State
Developmental
Center,
formerly
the
Utah
State
Training
School)
and
all
other
intermediate
care
facilities,
in
apartments,
and
to
those
living
at
home
with
family
members.
Thom
Anderson,
the
advocacy
director,
was
most
capable
and
effectual
in
carrying
out
the
advocacy
program.
MRAU
made
enormous
progress
with
the
help
of
presidents
Boyd
Twiggs
and
Dr.
R.
Dean
Robinson
who
continued
to
work
with
legislators,
the
Department
of
Human
Services,
and
all
organizations
who
were
interested
in
the
enhancement
of
living
conditions
for
all
individuals
who
have
developmental
disabilities,
whether
they
live
in
group
homes,
apartments,
their
parents’
homes,
at
USDC,
or
any
other
intermediate
care
facility
or
residential
setting.
1997
MRAU’s
aim
through
our
many
years
has
been
to
keep
all
intermediate
care
facilities
open,
including
USDC,
so
parents
will
have
a
choice
of
residential
placement.
We
have
also
endeavored
to
perform
a
service
for
you,
and
for
your
family
member
with
a
disability.
MRAU
has
remained
active
in
legislative
lobbying
and
in
speaking
personally
with
state
and
federal
legislators
for
the
preservation
of
program
funding
to
assure
quality
services
and
protection
of
human
rights.
1998
Great
progress
was
made
by
using
more
volunteers
from
the
community,
due
to
our
very
capable
volunteer
coordinator
and
MRAU
office
director,
Marina
Graham.
Donations
of
money
for
specific
purposes
were
made
to
several
organizations,
i.e.:
*$1,000
to
the
Dan
Peterson
School
towards
an
awning
so
the
children
could
enjoy
being
outside
the
building
and
still
be
protected
from
the
sun.
*$1,000
towards
a
statue
at
the
American
Fork
Cemetery
to
honor
the
handicapped
and
provide
a
place
for
anyone
to
meditate
and
find
peaceful
refuge.
*MRAU
also
donated
towards
the
cost
of
counter
tops
for
the
dental
clinic
at
USDC.
The
possibility
of
this
clinic
serving
the
dental
needs
of
clients
living
in
the
community
is
coming
closer
to
reality
all
the
time
2000
A
new
century
has
brought
a
new
chance
to
evaluate
where
MRAU’s
greatest
challenges
and
achievements
have
been,
and
where
we
want
to
go
from
here.
We
are
still
continuing
to
donate
money
to
help
with
research
and
treatment—such
as
the
$3,000
MRAU
donated
to
the
Huntsman
Cancer
Center
at
the
University
of
Utah—and
we
are
still
foremost
in
the
fight
against
the
closure
of
all
institutions
nationwide.
MRAU,
with
the
able
assistance
of
Attorney
Benjamin
A.
Sims,
was
instrumental
in
bringing
to
a
close
the
Lisa
P.
Lawsuit,
a
lawsuit
intended
to
force
the
State
to
close
USDC.
Mr.
Sims
donated
his
time
to
this
effort,
and
with
the
support
of
MRAU
and
the
parents
of
the
residents
of
USDC,
the
courts
saw
the
wisdom
in
closing
this
lawsuit
with
prejudice,
which
means
it
can
never
be
re-opened
under
any
circumstances.
While
this
was
a
great
victory
for
choice
in
residential
facilities
for
the
developmentally
disabled,
we
must
still
be
on
guard,
for
many
people,
for
a
variety
of
reasons,
would
like
to
see
USDC,
as
well
as
all
other
institutions
for
the
developmentally
disabled,
closed
permanently.
As
has
been
our
policy
since
our
inception
in
1948,
MRAU
is
dedicated
to
preserving
a
high
quality
of
life
for
our
family
members
with
any
type
of
disability.
We
continue
to
advocate
their
right,
and
their
families’
rights,
to
decide
on
their
care
and
their
living
arrangements.
We
call
on
all
people
everywhere
to
look
beyond
the
hype
presented
in
the
media,
and
take
steps
to
protect
our
most
vulnerable
citizens.
2001
MRAU
instigated
a
program
designed
to
obtain
more
funding
from
the
Legislature
as
needed
to
enlarge
and
maintain
the
dental
clinic
at
USDC.
Working
with
Representative
Margaret
Dayton,
MRAU
was
successful
in
lobbying
the
Legislature
to
earmark
$100,000
to
modernize
the
dental
clinic
at
USDC.
Matching
federal
funding
from
Title
IXX
brought
that
amount
to
approximately
$300,000,
which
allowed
USDC
to
make
the
dental
clinic
one
of
the
most
up-to-date
clinics
in
the
entire
state.
With
the
beginning
of
a
new
century,
MRAU
has
enlarged
and
expanded
its
scope
to
include
to
a
greater
degree
those
who
live
in
the
community,
i.e.,
in
group
homes,
supervised
apartments,
or
at
home
with
their
families.
A
greater
emphasis
has
been
placed
on
obtaining
better
services
for
these
people
and
helping
them
reach
a
higher
quality
of
life.
2003
MRAU
has
survived
the
loss
of
revenue
sustained
when
Vintage
Thrift
went
out
of
business,
we
have
survived
the
sag
in
the
economy
as
a
result
of
the
attacks
against
the
United
States
in
2001,
and
we
are
actively
soliciting
participation
in
and
leadership
of
MRAU
from
young
parents.
The
web
site,
originally
managed
by
Ed
Armstrong
and
now
taken
care
of
by
his
brother
David
Armstrong,
has
been
updated
to
create
a
new
and
exciting
image
designed
to
attract
the
attention
of
parents,
caregivers,
and
others
interested
in
the
MR/DD
population.
For
years
MRAU
has
found,
trained,
and
supervised
volunteers
to
work
with
and
for
the
individuals
living
at
USDC.
This
program
is
now
in
the
process
of
being
expanded
to
extend
that
same
service
to
other
facilities,
such
as
ICFs/MR,
group
homes,
etc.
MRAU
President,
Dr.
R.
Dean
Robinson,
has
been
actively
working
with
government
agencies
and
private
donors
to
bring
the
USDC
dental
clinic
to
the
point
that
MR/DD
individuals
anywhere
in
Utah
can
come
to
USDC
for
treatment.
Included
in
that
project
are
plans
for
respite
care
so
those
individuals
needing
general
anesthesia
for
dental
treatment
can
be
monitored
to
ensure
complete
recovery
before
returning
to
their
homes.
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