The proposed definition of a group home would destroy the communities in L'Arche Greater Washington, DC group homes. I served in a L'Arche group home with L'Arche Greater Washington, DC as a caregiver from 2013 to 2014. The group home model presented by L'Arche is superior specifically because persons in direct care positions do live in the home. This increases care provided and emotional and spiritual well-being for everyone living in the group home, especially the devlopmentally and intellectually disabled individuals. More information about the L'Arche model and its hallmarks can be found here, http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3734/4214, specifically in paragraph two of the "History and philosophy" section and the "Concluding remarks" for a quick read. I encourage VA lawmakers to vote "no" on the proposed new definition of a group home.