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DHS Inspector General’s report claims Choate staff still covering up misconduct, retaliating against whistle-blowers

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* Background is here if you need it. From the Illinois Department of Human Services…

Secretary Hou requested a review of resident safety reporting practices in September 2022 to provide additional context and recommendations related to abuse and neglect cases at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center (Choate) over the past decade. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is grateful to the IDHS Office of the Inspector General for their diligence in putting together this report. IDHS leadership continues to be deeply concerned by the events investigated and reported on by the OIG. The report underscores the importance of actions that IDHS has taken since the beginning of the administration, including substantially expanding training, hiring new staff, and installing security cameras. IDHS has also received guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be able to install additional cameras in indoor, common area locations and will be installing those expeditiously.

Most importantly, the report affirms IDHS’ plan for a system-wide transformation aimed at providing better care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois. This transformation is already underway with a focus on moving residents from Choate to community-based settings and other State centers and repurposing the existing campus. System-wide the department has hired a chief resident safety officer, implemented additional safety enhancements, and continued to invest in the community-based system, with funding nearly doubled under this administration. As we move forward, our top priority at IDHS is ensuring the safety of all our residents as they live and receive support in the setting of their choice that best meets their needs.

* As mentioned above, the OIG’s report recommends installing cameras to catch and perhaps prevent wrongdoing. But it also includes this recommendation…

OIG recommends that CMHDC conduct a top to bottom analysis of all processes related to the reporting of abuse and neglect, including training, because at the present time there appear to be fundamental problems with all aspects of that system, including: (1) repeated instances of CMHDC staff deliberately covering up misconduct—sometimes in coordination with other staff—that they either engaged in or witnessed; (2) repeated instances of CMHDC staff failing to report misconduct, or seeking to report that misconduct anonymously, in fear of possible retaliation from their fellow employees; (3) individuals experiencing retaliation after making reports or being threatened with potential harm for making reports; and (4) a lack of accuracy and thoroughness regarding the allegations that are reported to OIG or documented through CMHDC’s incident reporting system

* Enforcing the code of silence and resisting change…

CMHDC employees noted multiple obstacles to individuals [defined as people receiving services] reporting allegations, including that individuals must ask staff to use the phone and tell staff who they are calling and that OIG hotline posters—which include the number to call to report an allegation—are sometimes removed. […]

Another individual similarly stated that they had reported things and nothing was done. After reporting, staff come back to work and are even worse. The individual asked why individuals would put themselves out there and risk getting staff madder at them. […]

Retaliation was also identified as a concern for reporters of abuse and neglect. According to ISP- DII, people at CMHDC believe they are going to be punished for speaking the truth. Even security officers do not want to speak up. […]

A CMHDC employee related that an RN was reported for neglect because the RN had turned in the lower ranking staff for neglect. According to this CMHDC employee, lower ranking staff retaliate against individuals and higher-ranking staff. […]

A different CMHDC employee stated that as a trainee, you did not speak up for fear of losing your job. … The employee said that they regularly went home and cried over the way individuals were treated.

According to a CMHDC employee, by the time some allegations get to OIG, the paperwork or story has already changed. […]

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.

* One of the report’s last lines…

Preventing and eliminating abuse and neglect should be considered the floor, not the ceiling, regarding individual care.

…Adding… AFSCME Council 31…

“AFSCME-represented Choate employees are dedicated, compassionate and deeply committed to the individuals they serve. The well-being of Choate residents is employees’ top priority, which is why the AFSCME local union at Choate has called repeatedly for more staff, better training and the installation of security cameras throughout the facility—the same recommendations now found in this report.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 1:51 pm

Comments

Shut. It. Down.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 1:52 pm
What BTown said!!!

Comment by Are Ya Kidding Me? Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 2:04 pm
It needs to close,

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 2:09 pm
My grandmother, one of the kindest and most caring humans to walk this earth, used to work at Choate long ago. When I was growing up she would tell me stories about how it was hard work, but that she knew that she and her staff were making a difference for the people who were being cared for there. It was never perfect, she certainly had her complaints, but the administration and staff cared and were proud of their work.

I’m glad she isn’t here to see what DHS has done with it. It would break her heart. God knows it breaks mine every time we have another story about it.

We’re never going to make real progress until we come to grips with what Nixon and Regan’s policy of devolution did to the mental health safety net across the entire country. We let the hateful devastate our ability to care for the mentally ill and we have yet to actually deal with those consequences. Choate is just a massive example of our collective failure.

Comment by Victor Kingston Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 2:17 pm
Until you can close it, bring in other staff at whatever cost. Hire temporary staff, put them in hotels, bring in staff from other facilities, put them on expenses and give them bonuses if they don’t want to go. You can’t be held hostage… do whatever it takes to get this under control. You’re better than this Grace and so are you Governor.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 2:22 pm
The unfortunate reality, is a large part of the population supports this type of behavior.

We can hem and haw all day long. It won’t change how people behave.

Shutting it down will help the immediate problem. The people involved will then go work at other state supported facilities in the area, and the same problem will sprout all over again.

Does the state pull out of providing services in these areas, or do they continue to provide support staffed with the same people involved in this situation.

Perhaps the only solution is tying the proposal from yesterday about bonuses for engineers at IDOT, and expanding it to include relocation expenses reimbursement and incentives to bring new people into these areas to provide the needed employment for these state facilities.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 2:28 pm
===a large part of the population supports this type of behavior===

Maybe among workers at Choate. Outside of it? Nope.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 2:41 pm
AFSCME is calling for better training. Do you have to be trained not to lie and cover up abuse?

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 3:20 pm
What a jetstream of Buffalo Shenanigans that is from AFSCME. I’ve never been prouder to be non dues paying free rider. They are an absolute embarrassment to humanity.

Comment by Captain Obvious Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 3:27 pm
Now all of a sudden bad apples spoil the bunch? /s

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Friday, Jun 9, 23 @ 3:44 pm