* From an IDHS Office of the Inspector General report entitled “Reducing Abuse and Neglect at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center”…

Although changing a facility’s culture is by no means a simple task, the first step in that process is recognizing that there is indeed a problem. Stated plainly, the status quo at CMHDC is not acceptable. Every CMHDC employee has to understand that the reporting of misconduct is one of their fundamental responsibilities and that not reporting misconduct is what could lead to their discharge. That message is clearly not getting through right now. CMHDC must take steps to identify how it is that certain CMHDC staff are so effectively able to indoctrinate and intimidate new staff and counteract the training that is being provided regarding reporting.

It is also imperative that CMHDC staff feel safe and secure when reporting abuse and neglect. If current CMHDC staff are worried about possible negative reactions if they do the right thing and report misconduct, an important oversight component is removed and abuse and neglect, even when witnessed, will not be punished.

* From a ProPublica story in conjunction with Lee Enterprises and Capitol News Illinois entitled “Illinois Leaves Three Administrators in Charge at Choate Despite Troubled History of Resident Care”…

The inspector general’s report raises new questions about the management and administration of Choate, as well. Employees at the facility “raised concerns that CMHDC administration played favorites and was biased in their decision making,” the report said. “Another CMHDC employee stated that abuse and neglect occurred at the facility due to the systemic tone from the administration and nursing staff.”

The report also found “some indication that substandard work performance is seen and accepted by CMHDC supervisors and management.”

The findings about Choate administrators are particularly notable because Pritzker’s administration decided to retain the facility’s top three administrators in March when announcing a plan to reduce the size of Choate and move some residents to community settings or other state-run facilities.

All three administrators were previously indicted on felony charges in connection with their handling of an abuse allegation at the facility. Facility Director Bryant Davis and Gary Goins, who has served as quality assurance and improvements director, were both charged with official misconduct in 2021. Assistant Director Teresa Smith was charged twice with official misconduct and obstruction of justice, in 2020 and 2021. A judge dismissed the first case, finding there was not probable cause to sustain the charge. The prosecutor dismissed the most recent charges against the three administrators. Smith, Goins and Davis did not respond to requests for comment.

In explaining her rationale for keeping the administrators, IDHS Secretary Grace Hou said in March: “We’ve weighed a lot of different perspectives, but I think we need a leader who knows Choate inside and out, who has relationships with the residents and the parents and the staff to lead us through this challenging transition.” Pritzker publicly backed Hou’s decision at the time. […]

In her official response to the report, Hou wrote that her agency had hired new leadership, including Tonya Piephoff, the new director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, and a chief resident safety officer, to oversee patient care at the state’s seven developmental centers. […]

The status-quo approach to facility leadership has drawn criticism, including from a southern Illinois state senator and longtime proponent of reforming Choate but also keeping it open. Sen. Terri Bryant, a Murphysboro Republican, has said keeping the same leadership demonstrates a lack of commitment to Choate’s long-term success.

“This is a no-brainer. How do you change the culture of the facility and leave the people in place who allowed the culture to grow and flourish?” Bryant said in an interview. “This plan is a setup for failure. I don’t care how much money you are going to put into the buildings, you will change nothing without removing the leadership.”

* From IDHS…

Earlier this year, IDHS announced a system-wide transformation aimed at providing better care and resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This system-wide transformation includes appointing new division-level leadership, improving safety, employing new staffing strategies, and planning and implementing resident transitions. IDHS believes these changes will bring Illinois in closer alignment with nationwide, research-informed best practices and advance the State’s commitment to equity and civil rights of people with disabilities, and meet the State’s legal duty to ensure that residents with disabilities have a full opportunity to live in the least restrictive environment of their choosing. IDHS knows that strong, effective leaders at State-Operated Developmental Centers are imperative to carrying out this system-wide transformation. IDHS leadership is constantly working with and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of facility administrators to ensure alignment with IDHS’ mission and priorities.

I’m hearing that some top administrators at Choate may be moved out soon. But this “trust us” stuff just isn’t gonna fly.

Also, the old saying “fittin’ to get ready” comes to mind after reading that IDHS statement. As with much of government, it’s time to conclude those things and get on with the taking action stuff.