CW: Abuse, Neglect, & Death
In a scathing new report, US Senate investigators say that residential treatment facilities for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities are rife with abuse and neglect. The Senate Committee on Finance undertook a two-year investigation of such facilities and discovered that children are regularly subjected to physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. According to investigators, inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion is common, there are unsafe and unsanitary facilities, staff are unqualified and inadequate, and behavioral health care that should be provided is frequently lacking.
The 136-page analysis released this month focuses on four of the nation’s major residential treatment facility providers: Universal Health Services, Acadia Healthcare, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, and Vivant Behavioral Healthcare. The organizations provide specialized programs for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as those with a variety of other behavioral and mental health challenges.
Investigators examined almost 25,000 pages of firm paperwork, media reports, interviews with dozens of specialists, and site inspections. Their research presents a commercial model that prioritizes profit over the well-being of children in need.
“It’s clear that the operating model for these facilities is to warehouse as many kids as possible while keeping costs low in order to maximize profits. Too often, abuse and neglect is the norm at these facilities, and they’re set up to let this happen,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.
Investigators discovered that residential facilities frequently fail to provide the behavioral treatment that is outlined in someone’s behavior plan. Instead facilities are allowing children to spend the majority of their time with employees, some of whom are not trained to work with them.
Furthermore, they stated that facilities limit communication between children and their families. The facilities often keep children for long periods of time, and do not involve parents or guardians in the development of treatment plans. Facilities also fail to provide acceptable release plans.
The report includes examples of a facility where 110 restraints and seclusions were used in just 30 days and another where an employee who was determined to be frequently sexually abusing a child was transferred to a different unit rather than fired. According to investigators, the employee began coming to the youngster’s window every night and planned to continue the assault once the child left the facility.
In other situations, children died as a result of staff’s actions or suicide. Meanwhile, Wyden emphasized that much of the care offered in residential facilities is funded by the federal government, primarily through Medicaid or the child welfare system. In certain situations, he claims, Medicaid pays more than $1,200 per child daily.
In Florida, Marie Freyre, a 14-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Freyre died within 24 hours of being transferred from a Tampa hospital to the Golden Glades nursing home despite her family’s objections. The young girl arrived, yelling in terror.
In March 2011, the Florida Department of Children and Families removed 14-year-old Marie from her mother, Doris Freyre’s home. They claimed that Doris’ disabilities made it nearly impossible for her to care for Marie, who had seizures and severe cerebral palsy. However, a Tampa judge ordered Marie’s return to her mother, along with 24-hour in-home nursing care.
Florida healthcare administrators refused to pay for it. Even though in-home care is less expensive than residential care. The Florida Department of Children and Families completely ignored the request.
The recent report encourages state and local governments, federal agencies, accreditation bodies, and residential treatment facilities to improve standards and oversight while prioritizing community-based services. Wyden stated that he intends to develop federal legislation to pursue the recommendations. Marc Miller, President and CEO of Universal Health Systems, was called to speak before the Senate Finance Committee but declined. In a response, the company disputed the investigation’s findings.
“The report attempts to extrapolate certain incidents and survey reports into a false narrative regarding the treatment provided, environment of care and regulatory compliance at our facilities. We vehemently dispute this characterization of our facilities,” the company said. “While even one incident of harm is one too many, we have provided information demonstrating the rates of such occurrences are extremely rare across the UHS spectrum and disproves this inaccurate portrayal.”
In another statement, officials with Acadia Healthcare responded to the report by saying that they are “committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that all patients in Acadia’s care receive the support and compassionate treatment they deserve” and mental that the incidents mentioned in the report occurred nearly five years ago or more.
Disabled people deserve to live free from abuse. They deserve to live in their communities regardless of age. The system is in crisis and on the verge of collapse. People’s lives are at risk without proper care.
Sources:
Heasley, Shaun. “Residential Facilities Put Kids with IDD at Risk, Senate Investigators Say.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 17 June 2024, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/06/17/residential-facilities-put-kids-with-idd-at-risk-senate-investigators-say/30923/.
Irwin, Lauren. “Children in Residential Treatment Facilities Face Multiple Risks: Senate Report.” The Hill, Nexstar Media Group, 12 June 2024, thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4718097-children-in-residential-treatment-facilities-face-multiple-risks-senate-report/damp/?nxs-test=damp.
Miller , Carol Marbin. “Disabled Daughter Dies Just Hours after State Takes Her from Mom.” Tampa Bay Times, Times Publishing Company , 4 Dec. 2012, http://www.tampabay.com/news/disabled-daughter-dies-just-hours-after-state-takes-her-from-mom/1264535/.