I understand that the draft amendments to the RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR LICENSING PROVIDERS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES includes a definition of group homes that reads as follows: “Group home means a congregate service providing 24- hour supervision in a community-based home having eight or fewer residents that provides 24- hour supervision by persons in direct care positions who do not live in the home. As a longtime resident of Virginia who has been quite active in community affairs in Arlington, and as a member of the board of directors of L’Arche Greater Washington, DC, I strongly oppose the proposed wording that that stipulates supervisory personnel may not live in the home. The L’Arche model of care is based on a recognition that all human beings are both frail and gifted, and that persons responsible for the health and wellbeing care of persons with intellectual and other disabilities living in a L’Arche home are part of community and that every member of the community has value and responsibilities. The proposed re-definition which precludes community members with supervisory and/or front-line care-giving training and responsibilities living in the same home as members in need of such care would destroy the  communal relationships and undermine the values on which L’Arche model is based. over this text and enter your comments here. You are limited to approximately 3000 words.