Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > News Items

Abuse in Group Homes for the Developmentally Disabled

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Froderik:

--- Quote from: "The gatekeeper" ---
--- Quote ---Michelle Penharlow
--- End quote ---

What was her involvement in MK-ULTRA?   ::OMG::
--- End quote ---

I don't know, Bones...what was her involvement in MK-ULTRA?

Do tell!  ???

Ursus:
Some amazing comments left for the above article, "At State-Run Homes, Abuse and Impunity" (by Danny Hakim; March 12, 2011; The New York Times), #s 1-25:


1. J · Pleasantville · March 13th, 2011 12:09 am
I could speak for myself in a similar setting, that is, I was not so severely disabled that I had lost the power of speech. But I was not free to do so, upon pain of further staff abuse. For politely asking to know what my rights were, a staff member slammed a heavy door closed on my arm. As I looked up at him in horror and alarm, he smiled, then slammed the door shut on my arm again.

For crying hunched over while standing, I was dragged down a hallway (I knew I had better not show any resistance, and so went limp), male and female staff members shoved me face down, ripped down my pants, and forced a needle into me.

One morning, I woke to see saw a staff member who regularly flew into rages for no reason, with a bandaged hand. A fellow "inmate," who was always quiet and reserved, now had a severely and newly bruised face.

On the outside, I was laughed at in a "counseling" program for daring to want to better myself by learning another language.

When I was too upset to work after surviving such experiences, I decided to volunteer to help people such as myself. Before I could start, I had to go to an staff orientation session first, with people who, unlike me, were being paid to "care for" people such as myself. In this session, the newly hired staff members sneered at and demeaned the people they had previously encountered and would again encounter - more accurately, again abuse - in their "work," including people in group homes. And the trainers did not discourage such sneering.

The best punishment? These abusers should be locked up as "consumers" and "cared for" by wonderful people such as themselves.

I am starting to shake and I am even scared to post this. This is something I will never get over. And yet I feel so very blessed, so very lucky, that I am able to sit here and type this right now - while others still are trapped living the horror that I somehow have survived.

I can change my clothes without someone opening the door. I can get up at night without someone - a staff member - repeatedly trying to shove me to the floor.

I just pray that more of these stories are written, and no excuses are accepted, such as the staff member saying they are working with "difficult populations."

That's hooey.

As far as people with developmental disabilities, isn't that the point? How dare they expect people with limited physical or mental abilities to be easy to help, that is, easy to "control"?

And even in the case of those called "mentally ill," statistics in the United States and Britain show that those diagnosed as mentally ill are violent at no greater a rate than the rest of the population. And yet those so diagnosed are actually subjected to violence at a greater rate than the rest of the population. Which would seem to say, the mentally ill are actually less inclined to be violent than the rest of the population, because despite having more "provocation," so-called lunatics such as myself evidently have more Gandhi-like self-restraint than the rest of society.2. Holly · Golden, Co · March 13th, 2011 12:09 am
Why should anyone be surprised at abuse of people by organizations funded by the government? Shouldn't it be considered normal behavior of these types of organizations?
The issue is, why fund them?3. V. Ogle · LA · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
I had several jobs where I was honored to work with people who experienced cognitive and behavioral differences. I assure you, most of their difficulties were CAUSED by idiotic employees who had no idea how to treat people in a respectful manner. When you encourage self-direction and self-determination, so-called behavioral issues disappear.

I have worked in several states in large institutions, community homes, sheltered workshops, small group homes and in human services investigating abuse/neglect allegations. Personally, I found more abuse in the smaller group homes that had fewer people supervising their operation. New Jersey dumped their formerly institutionalized into homes and "forgot" to get their medicaid covered services set up. Abuse. Alabama has let their institutions return to weeds in order to reduce the budget and shift money. Mississippi has reinvented the "group home" to include mini institutions that congregate 20 clients in two group homes conveniently located within close proximity. Every state deliberately circumvents the policies. To what gain?

There were reports of abuse in all of these settings. Those reports included people I thought had their best interests in mind, however, were clueless about civil rights and basic human dignity. I saw people threatened with raised hands. I saw them ignored. I was taught in one setting about restraints and use of their "Quiet Room."

Maybe I am sensitive? I am offended when a professional or parent uses the phrase, "He is Downs," in reference to someone who has the diagnosis of Down Syndrome. I think People First Language is essential to the understanding that we are human beings experiencing a variety of disabilities or diseases.

If the parents and families still consider their family members' sole identity to be a diagnosis; there is no way to get professionals, institutions and lawmakers to reconsider accepted treatment and grasp our humanity, first.4. CJE · New York · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
After reading this article, I find myself taking on a subject that is a sore point with me regarding the way I, as a disabled person, have been treated over the past 20 years. I am someone who has a perfect driving record, no arrests, and perfect credit, a good education, I am a nonsmoker, I do not drink, and I am drug free; Yet, I have been subjected to outrageous abuses or accusations, by those in public service and the helping professions. Their remarks towards me and others (in my presence )have been scathing.
Disabled people ,whether mentally ill or physically handicapped are treated like lab animals. Many of us are considered disposable by members in the community and in our own families.
Let's call it the way it really is, many people consider us useless, because the majority of us don't work. Most of us never get any credit for our abilities or the chance to use them.
We are the real victims and/or survivors of prejudice in this society. With no real advocacy or like group to align ourselves, we are cast off, like the lone wolf.
If you asked people around this country about the way the disabled have been treated, many would find no fault with their abusers. They would most likely put the blame on the handicapped or say we are over -reacting.. That is the state of America's moral compass, and compassion in this age.5. Paula C. · Montana · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
My first job out of college in New York State was at a private group home, one that was supposed to be one of the best. It was 1979 and taking this kind of work after the revelations earlier in the decade had a certain pride to it. Within the year the home was closed after serious allegations about sexual abuse by the owner. I never saw anything I thought was suspicious. I was deposed by investigators but do not believe I added or detracted anything to either side. The allegations were made by an angry ex-employee. To this day I have no idea what really happened. All these many years later, 30 years, I am still bothered by how it all happened. I am older and wiser but nothing I saw during 9 months of employment convinces me there was abuse. Years of managing employees have taught me that angry ex-employees can be very dangerous. If I have a point here, its that these kinds of problems have existed for as long as the homes have. I have not worked in that field for many years but it is nearly impossible to get rid of the sickening feeling that someone may have been abused or that someone was falsely accused and that both were failed by the same system.6. Know It All · Brooklyn, NY · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Shocking and appalling. As someone with a family member in such a facility, I know that the abuse described is not representative, but it is still unacceptable. Yes, residents in these homes can be difficult. That is why they should have the level of care being paid for and deserve.

I will point out how galling that this egregious side of public unions is not addressed during the changes being proposed in Wisconsin and other states. The Civil Service Employees Assoc., like so many other public unions, sees protection of dues paying members and following outdated civil service rules as their first priority. With public unions blocking changes, how can our government be expected to manage programs and deliver effective services? To use a bad but apt analogy - unchecked public unions are akin to the patients running the asylum.7. Maxomus · New York · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
While I commend the Times for its excellent reportage on this scandal, my inward reaction is outrage and resentment toward the governing agency that enables marginally sane people to be hired into these positions of responsibility for disabled folks. It seems that the standards are not too low—but that there are none whatsoever—for creating strict hiring guidelines, psychological testing, educational requirements (at least an equivalency diploma) and a stable work history, issues that even a person applying for a cashier job would have to be confronted with.

I feel that the governor's swift intervention is required in this matter, to put an immediate end to these atrocities and create a new governing board for making radical changes in hiring practices, union protection be hanged. These are precious lives that we are dealing with, not job rights for people with abusive personalities.8. TC · DC · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
As a society we have never valued the elderly or the mentally and physically disabled. Their existence is measured as collateral and not essential in our progress. Often their "caretakers" are those that are "not quite right" themselves or have never fit into the mainstream of society and are only this very job away from from finding themselves part of this forgotten or ignored caste. New York is not unique at all in this regard. The care of these people who are most likely indigent or come from modest means is administered to a large degree in secrecy and public transparency. Many are from families who are relieved to rid of their burden so there is no outside oversight except perhaps people in social work. There are many caregivers who are compassionate and provide a quality of life to their patients but they are outnumbered and overwhelmed. It comes down to where our states want to spend our money and that decision is based entirely upon return. What return do we get on providing quality health, rehabilitative, training to the old and disabled?9. Manny · New York, N.Y. · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
A detective in a small town police force is needed to revive a case, the State Attorney General is not fully invested, unions stand with employees that have demonstrated long-term patterns of abuse.

I understand the right to local jurisdiction in investigating allegations such as that in Hudson Falls, but can't we do better in terms of State leadership in creating resources to investigate? The unions view their role as defending their members to the last breath: how about they participate in taking out the garbage? God forbid they have the foresight to change their game...even if it is only to prove to a disillusioned electorate that they are not the enemy and want to be part of the solution.

We can take a lot of pride as a society that we care for the disabled as we do (the author could have given us some context in this regard), but there is work to be done. Vigilance and cooperation must be a binding principle for all stakeholders participating in the system in order for the public to have confidence in it.10. Ava · Canada · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Wonder if all the people who condemned the Catholic Church and their turning in some cases a blind eye to priest abuse of children 40 years ago, and used those abuses as pretext to condemn the whole Catholic faith are as outraged when government institutions who use our tax dollars to protect and serve vulnerable citizenry and instead oversea the mental, physical or sexual abuse of them while the bureaucrats ignore, hide or demand few consequences from these abusers.

Any agency the government overseas and operates that effects the weak, young or vulnerable, from schools ( New York state alone had 2500 compliments of teachers abusing physically or sexually students) old age homes, homes for the mentally ill there are thousands of instances of abuse by those in charge with few consequences and even fewer outrage by the citizenry, especially from those that expect perfection from every other institution other then the state.11. Walton Truue · Pittsburgh, PA · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
It's called "privatization" where we allow profit-seekers to provide services, not professional civil servants. And then they hire at the lowest wage they can pay and pocket the rest. How can we expect them to get good, highly-motivated, educated workers? Then the right-wing says cut taxes, eliminate regulations, and reduce government. You get what you pay for!

If we decry these conditions, we must be willing to pay civil servants at least equal to their counterparts in the private sector (now 18% less), for regulations to be enforced, and salaries and benefits that will attract the best and brightest. Yup!12. crk · erehwon · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
My personal experience is that the people hired as caregivers are uneducated and have no special training to care for the disabled. They are paid minimum wage or less, as independent contractors instead of employees, which also cheats the state out of unemployment insurance and workers' compensation insurance. My line of work allows me to meet many group home residents and employees. I would never consider a group home as an alternative for my loved one.13. Brooklyn · New York City · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Being funded by the government is irrelevant. To say differently demonstrates ignorance. All such public and private charity programs are funded by the government. Many of those government funded charities provide excellent care and properly discipline their union employees. This is a story of an organization being run by incompetents hired on "merit," small town incompetent law enforcement that only knows how to issue speeding tickets and dealing competent labor representation.14. Mr.Thomas · Arizona · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Thank you Highlight for that frightful, but thoughtful post. To Lisa I say generalizations are not helpful. Poorly supervised and/or screened hires in developmentally disabled care facilities public and private are an issue that needs more attention, but regardless of the status of public or private, where the funding comes from, I have witnessed the good and bad in all. I received my degrees in social services from SUNY, and have been employed caring for developmentally disabled adults in New York and Arizona in both county and private facilities. There are many decent people working within the field, and the reports of abuse of this vulnerable clientele make my blood boil.15. Katherine in PA · Philadelphia, PA · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
This is excellent ammunition for those who are determined to get rid of public employees' unions. There should be zero sympathy or tolerance for any of the low-life employees described in this article. They should all be locked away, not protected or entrusted with the care of our most vulnerable citizens. When unions protect monsters such as the ones described here - or incompetent teachers, or road workers who stand around, or any other public employee who is incompetent or immoral - they are digging their own graves. The taxpayers who pay their salaries will no longer tolerate this sort of abomination! And, by the way, Ross Hanna should be dragged behind a bus!16. Adia Dennis · Alabama · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Considering Lisa's remark at # 2: it doesn't matter much whether the organization is being funded by the government or not. Certainly in Alabama's private companies doing the same kind of work there is no problem to fire a worker, and they are paid much less than in NY; no benefits. The turnover is gigantic; people get trained and many soon get fired or just quit. Workers are encouraged to report on each other inside the company; however, the principle of "don't ask, don't tell" remains. The whistle-blower's situation described here is very probable.17. DLH · Brooksville, ME · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
I know that union agreements ensuring due process for employees sometimes preclude even reasonable corrective action by management. But when an employee physically assaults a client under their care, the appropriate response of management is to call the police, press charges & then call all the local newspapers, advising the union of actions taken.

Retired MR Administrator18. David Chowes · New York City · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
President Kennedy with all good intentions began the community mental health initiative so as to end the mistreatment patients were routinely forced into poorly run state psychiatic hospitals. (Often for life.)

JFK's plan sounded good -- but, 50 years as most of the state hospitals closed, the majority of patients have to indure far worse torture in these so-called 'state-run' homes... But even worse, most end up in prisons lacking any coping skills to deal with other prisoners and the staff.

Just awful. We all know about this disgrace and each time we read another article... Well, nothing is done.19. Jennifer · New York · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Next, maybe the NY Times can write about guardianship abuses in NY State. Elderly neighbors on my block in Brooklyn, living in rent stabilized housing, were removed from their home by an agency the courts had appointed as "guardian" for the woman (she had a slight mental disability). During the months while this process went through the courts the guardian collected all the woman's pension and disability, and paid no rent to the landlord. The guardian then pocketed a good share of the settlement paid by the landlord for the departure of the couple from the rent stabilized housing. There were periods when the guardian provided no support or housing whatsoever (even while holding all assets of their ward). The guardian at one point tried to get the city of NY to shelter the woman through the homeless shelter system (at no cost to the guardian). In my experience, newspapers rarely show the courage to write about these kinds of abuses. I wonder why the paper decided to write this article now? Whatever the reason for exposing it now, thank goodness it is exposed, and let the work begin to make the needed changes. The sad truth is the weak and vulnerable are victimized not only by those crude individuals who directly assault them (or steal their assets). They are also victimized by those in power who stand by silently thereby allowing the crimes to continue.20. Green Man's view · Ronkonkoma N.Y. · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
It is unconscionable that these people State employees protected by the C.S.E.A. union; Civil Service Employees Association.
Are allowed to work caring for developmentally disabled people without a minimum of a background check that includes fingerprinting state and federal background checks using F.B.I. felony convictions.
If this isn't required the future may have your loved one abused by criminals like this.21. Dirk · Memphis, TN · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
someone should really look into the group homes run by, or paid by, NYS' OMH where people suffering with severe psychiatric disorders are being dumped after hospital stays because they are hard to place in their local communities in the time allowed for discharges. These homes, and many related state day-treatment programs, are supposed to be temporary transitional programs but people are often warehoused in them for years with no improvement and no way out.22. HD · New York · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Lisa #2
This is the role of government in our society. The private sector does not contribute to this population except to exploit them and profit from their infirmity. Government needs to do a better job, not give up and cut these people loose.23. anne · New York City · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
The only way to keep these atrocities from occurring is to make sure each residence has licensed professionals on staff and in supervisory positions. If a professional loses his or her license, that person cannot work in the field; it's considered a crime. A non-professional (sometimes referred to as a "para-professional") can just get another job. That's why licensing was developed in the first place. If you hire people with only a h.s. diploma and no skills, you're going to get the bottom of the barrel more often than not.24. Willrobm · warwick, ny · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
The issue is accountability... If Gov. Cuomo cannot bring the law to bear on these pathetic criminals then perhaps they need to be dealt with in a different manner... Perhaps there is a force available to make examples of these predators, after all there names and addresses are available to the public. It would not be the first time in history when citizens stood up for fellow citizens unable to defend themselves... These predators can and will be dealt with and they will rue the day because the law will not come to their defense...25. nina · San Francisco · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
Congratulations on this excellent reporting. I hope this harrowing story helps create some change. It's horrifying that our society, which is dripping in wealth for some, can't protect its vulnerable people.

© 2011 The New York Times Company

Ursus:
More comments left for the above article, "At State-Run Homes, Abuse and Impunity" (by Danny Hakim; March 12, 2011; The New York Times), #s 26-50:


26. Judyg · nyc · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
the most vulnerable among us subjected to abuse by criminals. speaks well for us as a society along with so many other bitter abuses we are all subjected to every day now.
let us pray we are at rock bottom. and, there's no place to go but up.27. Ann · Denver · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
New York could pass legislation to resolve this problem. List the violations that will automatically be cause for dismissal. Congress did this in 1998 to curb abuses at the IRS. The union would have no say in the matter if termination was required by statute.28. M. Cherau · Vignolles, France · March 13th, 2011 9:06 am
I've never understood why closing state institutions and putting a fragile population out on the street or in a myriad of hard-to-oversee group homes was considered a good idea. The problem with the large institutions wasn't that they were large, it was that they were badly run and badly staffed. That was what needed fixing and, as the article makes clear, still does. It's a lot easier (and, I would assume cheaper) for the government, if it really cares about protecting the vulnerable, to oversee a limited number of large state residential institutions than numerous scattered group homes or people living dangerously on the streets.29. Malachi · Sydney · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
I am appalled. This is disgusting individual and organizational behavior. I am usually pro union but the union should be ashamed of the abuse that they are complicit in. And Gov. Cuomo needs to find a way to shine a light on the standards that exist in these homes that are funded by the taxpayers. I work with families who have young children with special needs and this story underlines their biggest fears. This is absolutely unacceptable and unnecessary. There are plenty of loving and caring professionals or support workers who would happily fill these positions. Fire those who are unprofessional in their behavior. Prosecute those who are abusive. Please get good people into those positions and provide proper training and oversight.30. Anne · NYC · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
This is tragic - the abuse of vulnerable people.

But it is also a reminder of some of the more unfortunate values of American society....

We Americans seem not to care about the vulnerable and needy. We do not want to spend the money needed to make sure that facilities, staff and overall care is decent and safe. We also refuse to acknowledge that these are terrible and stressful jobs (would any of us want our children to be working as aides if they had other choices?)and we refuse to structure these jobs to help ensure that staff are responsible, honest and decent.

We only seem to care that Wall Street and millionaires get to keep their oversized incomes!31. SA · Massachusetts · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
A very important story, thank you. Let's hope that the result of this article is careful scrutiny of the management of these programs and a better recognition of the importance of doing these jobs well, not a knee-jerk response to find a few scape-goats or de-fund the programs.

One point of clarification is in order: It was striking to me that some of the most egregious abusers you described were managers; but that the union defense of accused abusers was cited as the prime barrier to adequate discipline. In most states, unions do not represent management, and it would seem that the union's role would be to support the line workers who reported their managers, and who likely risked discipline to do so. If in New York unions also represent management, you have a separate problem.32. March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
This comment has been removed. Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.[/list]
33. divad · washingtondc · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
More evidence, as if any is really needed, that homo sapiens as a species can learn much from dogs and cats.34. Raymond · BKLYN · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
This is all very reminiscent of the behavior of clerical staff at Roman Catholic "orphanages" in the US, Ireland, UK, Canada, Australia & elsewhere, the behavior in homes for the "wayward" in Ireland even worse. These badly managed institutions attract sadistic, power-abusing personalities often incapable of finding other work.35. joyce simon · new york · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
I guess some things never change. Interesting... how they have no more interest in a seasoned employee like me. I blew the whistle on abuse many years ago; I even got a commendation.36. nezumi · California · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
How are these group homes an improvement over the old mental hospitals that Reagan closed? The treatment sounds about the same.37. GN · Weston, CT · March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
Lisa, at #2, are you aware of any other people or groups funding such homes? If not where should they grow? Taking shots at the government is easy, finding solutions is tough. This, by the way, is in no way justifying the behavior documented. They should all go to jail.38. March 13th, 2011 9:07 am
This comment has been removed. Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.[/list]
39. as · new york · March 13th, 2011 11:31 am
As a professional, an owner of a group home in another state, and a parent of severely disabled children, I have to say the article is quite accurate and applies nationwide. It is a national scandal. The problem that I see is that this is the result of an unholy alliance between greedy attorneys, legislators that see budget pressures, naive and ignorant parents who cannot see reality and overall fuzzy thinking. The old system was broken down by lawsuits, budget stress and the fuzzy thinking that community based facilities could improve the outcome for the the severely disabled. What mothers of these affected patients do not understand, and they are the ones that seem to be heard in the press and at the state capitals, is that there is a difference between a severely retarded patient with minimal cognitive skills and a mildly impaired patient that could benefit from a communty environment. The mothers blame the institutions, not genetics or mother nature, for the sad state of their offspring. The severely disabled do not know what is going on. The notion that community placement makes any sense at all is stupid. The system was much better off when there were large institutions with economies of scale, unified management, state support and control. The work is extremely hard, mentally stressful and depressing. I would consider the work at least three times as tough as being a police officer, for example and I went through the police academy. At least in the big institution era people were state employees with benefits etc. In my state the workers now get a little over minimum wage with no benefits because of community sourcing. McDonalds is a step up for them. Willowbrook was bad but it could have been repaired. Managing hundreds or thousands of small group homes just cannot be done by any state authority. The severe ones are simply going to be warehoused somewhere. Now they are shipped to various "activities" during the day, or "school" where they simply vegetate and drool. The daycare people send their bills to the state. The unscrupulous doctors get hold of the Medicaid numbers and run every test known to man and kick back cash to the facilities. The schools suffer because so much money has to be put into special ed. My view after watching this disaster of community basing unfold over 40 years is that the severe cases need to be in large state institutions with strong, rational management. Someone has to make tough decisions. Of course pictures of these unfortunate individuals make dramatic news but these shocking pictures are often more what nature wrought as opposed to being caused by where they are living.40. Hasang · California · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Thank you NYTimes for bringing this horrible issue to the light.41. charles almon · brooklyn NYC · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
These employees hate their jobs, hate the fact that they have no skills for better jobs, feel life has handed THEM a bad hand, and vent on these consumers.42. slenderlady · New York · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Oh, yeah. There's neglect and abuse with these homes. I was a "resident" among them: Bad news. Two people died as a result of neglect in the Multi-County Community Development "program" of Ulster County, NY. Basically, the case workers don't have any training in Psychology or similar fields: they just need a valid driver's license to get the job working with the "population": it's really bad news, really bad.43. Christina · Summerland, CA · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Much thanks to old Ronald Reagan for making all of those promises that he never, ever intended on keeping-- such as those, um, "community health centers" that were supposed to magically spring up after he closed all the homes and the hospitals. And many years later, here we are... In reality, for those of you who somehow cannot see, all of those less fortunate souls, the ones that you all claim to care so much about, they all are left languishing and suffering eternally in prisons, HOMELESS, on and off the STREET. Thanks a lot, you people; I do hope indeed that there is, ultimately, a very special place for your sorts...44. ShowMe · Missouri · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
I read elsewhere in the NY Times that the wealthy are the happiest people. Certainly, the people in these group homes are not happy to be abused. What does this say about what is written in the hearts of the people in power in our society?45. Zika · ny · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Fire everyone involved in abusement.
Fire everyone who keep abusers working.
Clean the mess ,please.46. Manic Drummer · Madison, WI · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
It's one of humanity's greatest sins. And there will be a hefty price for it. The Lord does not slack on punishment for those who are cruel to the most vulnerable members of society. Change your ways, or else it's gonna hurt!47. walter Bally · vermont · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Welcome to Obama's Americccpa. This is what liberals do, violence.48. N.R. · Coastal Mid-Atlantic · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
First and foremost, thank you to the NYT's for highlighting this deeply disturbing trend, occurring not only in NY, but across the entire nation in our group homes, which, coincidently, over the last ten years or so, have incrementally been being defunded at rates counterintuitive to maintaining quality care. I also commend you for publicizing, for all the world to see, the names (and faces) of just a few of the 'charged' individuals. May the publicity of your indepth expose, embarrass them, since obviously they fear nothing, no one, legally. Their union bosses, included.
Interestingly enough, most if not all of these abuse violation dates seem to have occurred, notably, in the periods just prior to the last administrations' leave from office- 2002 up and until late 2008. My point? No one in this country of ours was paying attention to anything of importance- except- for and to - themselves. Doesn't surprise me though. The 'just go shopping', 'all is hunky dory' mentality was in full swing. No personal or civil accountability- for anything, really. All eyes were on- wars, shopping, and self-entitlement, and a nauseating sense of self-aggrandizing. Union members- included- in not worst of all. Fully asleep- at the wheel, domestically.

What a country.49. judith · middletown ny · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
@ why fund them? Lisa, because some government fools thought this would be better...I saw this coming way back when de-institutionalization started, what did that mean? People living in hells like this, more people taking advantage of the money and even worse, a considerable increase in homelessness.

Reform is needed, and those who find themselves in this situation need to have a forum to complain to without fear. People who are staff need to be reminded that they are "service providers"...thats service,

and blessings to you J, maybe Times staffers will see your reply and expand on that, there are way too many people that have lived this horror.50. Trader Vic · New Hampshire · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
STOP THE SOCIALISM! We don't need these people and can no longer afford to pay for their care.Stop taxing me for people better off gone.

© 2011 The New York Times Company

Ursus:
Comments left for the above article, "At State-Run Homes, Abuse and Impunity" (by Danny Hakim; March 12, 2011; The New York Times), #s 51-75:


51. GM · NY · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Why are these animals still eligible for pensions that my taxes are paying for? This Sousa guy should be CUT LOOSE. There are so many unemployed people in NYS.... move these homes out of upstate and closer to the metro areas and you'll get a better pool of applicants. This is sickening.52. Andy · Los Angeles California · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Dear de-funder
Private or public these abuses can occur without proper oversight. what are "these" types of organizations? They are institutions to house the most vulnerable members of our society. Do you have some other model for this purpose? Private? Look at the abuses in the for profit private prisons. The issue is not to whether fund them. If you don't fund them as you say them you have these people roaming the streets and dying because they can not care for themselves. The problem will be handled by proper government oversight, all you tea-partiers want to do is demonize govt.53. avid reader · conn · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Well for one if one obsserves social workers with a degree are the lowest paid, and most all have had issues in the past, thats why they go into this field. Most social workers have been abused themselves.

Lock em all up for chrissakes. We have more loonies in this country than ever.

catch 22.54. dexris · SantaAna, Calif. · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Not unusual at all to see Unions in government jobs abuse their Union power. Unions protect their worker irregardless how awful the crime. I was just reading that in the LA School district 100's of teachers who are unqualified to teach, and are not allowed to teach, still get full pay for years to come, because of Union influence over politicians. It cost the LA School district Hundred of Millions.

In my 72 years, time & time again I have read problems with State run institutions, its just not New York but in all corners of the USA, and perhaps in many parts of the world. My feelings are Human Nature plays a part in the abuse, when after years of authoritarian responsibilities the system just breaks down without strict oversight. This dilemma of over excessive force, misuse and abuse does not just happen in State Run institutions but also in private industry, but more so in government funded organization because of the red tape involved to alleviate the status quo and thus difficult to clean up because of the power of the unions.55. apfann · NJ · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
This is why people are so upset at public sector unions. Yes, people deserve a good defense, but, all sides must be protected. Not the employees at the expense of the population.

How can these union bosses live with themselves? Shame on them, shame on the pols who let this continue. Shame on the workers who do it, and shame on the workers who turn a blind eye.

What excellent reporting. Thank you56. Mulling · North Carolina · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
As long as we pay the lowest salaries and have the least stringent requirements for those who care for the most vulnerable among us -- children, the elderly, the disabled -- these horrors will continue. Who among the outraged readers woud be willing to have their taxes raised or give up some other government benefit to better ths situation?57. lutheranliar · NYC · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Here is yet another example why it's a very bad idea for public employees to belong to unions. Where is the union to protect the residents of these homes?58. Patrik · Oregon · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
This is a very sobering report about how our society treats those who deserve our highest concern. Sadly, from reading the reports in Oregon, it is apparent that people with disabilities here also suffer from similar levels of abuse and neglect. The most frightening thought is that the state only has access to licensed care facilities where its reports are gathered. The number of community-based care facilities is growing with little oversight and inadequate enforcement. People with disabilities continue to be at the end of the line in terms of having their rights and issues addressed. With an aging population, now is the time to address our responsibility to support one another, not the corporate entities. The nation is no better than how we treat our most vulnerable. We stand taller when we reach out to ensure social justice for one another.59. bogus14 · New York, NY · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Is Jimmy Kimmell safe?60. kloss · wi · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
As a father of a disabled boy. I'm scared to death about hes future. I will do all I can to keep him out of institutions. And I wish the US was more caring but even the most Christian of Americans could care less about disable people. And are some of the most cruel in public. Its mostly women and Christians that say rude comments in public. My poor wife gets so much grief when she tries to shop or run errands with our / son. So maybe think twice before opening your mouth when you see a child not acting right. It could be illness but they jump right away to poor parenting. Can you not quite your child they say, you know they have parenting classes, such nice things from women in public. We are not alone women are really cruel to others who care for the disabled its never men who say anything always women.61. dc lambert · nj · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
"A spokesman, Herm Hill, said that...its hands were often tied because of the disciplinary and arbitration rules involving the workers’ union."

It is disturbing that the Times has chosen to frame these abuses as a union issue. Over and over, it implies that were it not for the union, the conscientious, well-meaning employers would be firing evil abusers left and right. To add reader's resentment, you even add how allegedly great the abusers' salaries and benefits are, going 'all the way up' to $60,000, without mentioning average salary.

I beg to differ with your anti-union narrative. You are essentially arguing that when left to their own devices, people rape and torture, and only a firm boss who can fire evil people can prevent such abuse. When we protect workers from being fired, then these abusers run rampant. If only the bosses can fire workers as he wants to, then all will be well. This narrative is pure fiction and feeds entirely into the hands of anti-union propaganda that is spreading like wildfire here in America.

Systemic abuse such as is portrayed here invariably arises from a complex culture, usually a confluence of factors: hiring practices, a hostile work environment, an overall contempt from the top down on their charges, a gross lack of oversight on the part of management, an abusive tone set from the top down, etc. If the abuses are as wide ranging and consistent as you portray you simply cannot explain it away by saying that management's hands are tied. That's just preposterous. By the same logic, you would be saying that no private system would have abuses, for they can fire whomever they want, and that is patently untrue. Abuses arise from the overall complex culture of the entity, public or private. To destroy the workers' rights and allow this same sick management to now have power to fire anyone, would clearly not solve the problem at all--the entire system is corrupt and festering. All that would do is to further degrade working conditions and probably further increase turnover.

What must be done here is to find out the source of the sickness. This is complex. The entire culture here needs to be changed. Rather than implying that bad apples at the bottom be fired, you should be trimming the trees at the root--fire the managers who allow this to happen. That would send a clear signal to management that they cannot blame workers for their own poor leadership; make management accountable. If that man was raping a woman, he should legally be fired, union or no union. HE committed a criminal act. The question is why was he not? You write that 'semen' was found, but you don't say whether DNA testing was done. What actually happened here? Was there a trial? Did the management cooperate promptly and completely? Or was there a culture of looking the other way, pushing things under the rug? My point is that this is a far far bigger problem than the 'union,' which would have no power if the man were found criminally guilty of rape.

The anti-union bias in this article was almost as disturbing to me as the abuses it portrayed, for you are trying to diagnose a serious problem based on your own political agenda, rather than on the problem itself. You won't fix the problem by attacking unions.62. swp · Poughkeepsie · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
Don't stop with homes. Go to the public schools and review special education problems. Especially in cash rich areas where administrators are trying to cut cost by creating programs that place bad teachers with the most needy students. Look at the records of the teacher before they were placed in special ed. Normally parents can't really complain because the administration is who you complain to. They will hurt your child. There need to be a resource that is independent of education to monitor this roach motel of evil63. Mike Claiborne · NYC · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
The problems with public sector unions aren't just financial - their motivations are misaligned for providing services to taxpayers. In this case they are playing an almost evil accomplice to workers who are abusing the most vulnerable in our society. Do these unions feel no shame or obligation to do the right thing. Our state and country would be much better off if public sector unions were done away with64. blacklight · New York City · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
This kind of garbage demotivates me from wanting to pay more in taxes to the state. In fact, it demotivates me from wanting to pay any taxes at all to the state. So far, all I have seen from the state is the systematic short-changing of New York City and keeping employees who are no better than garbage in state employ. The City charges 4% to me in taxes and the state 8%. My opinion as a New York City resident is that I am better off paying the City 12% and the state 0%.65. aek · New England · March 13th, 2011 12:19 pm
The reporter makes an important point that vulnerable people who are on the receiving end of "services" must have advocates. Yet most lack involved and informed family and friends.

That's where community comes in. Local communities have a golden opportunity to form advocacy and support groups for vulnerable people in their local neighborhoods. The power of groups with many volunteers linking up with patients will provide many benefits:

It will make these patients human by putting a human face on interacting frequently and personally with them.

It will shine a light on neglect and abuse.

It will provide a way for communities to hold government agencies and staff accountable to the people they are charged to serve.

It will provide a means for vulnerable people to become involved with their community and be able to the bet of their abilities to contribute.

As long as vulnerable people are stowed away out of sight and out of mind, they will remain the "anonymous other". They will continue to be thought of as less than others, not quite fully human, and not deserving of appropriate care and advocacy.

Needless to say, most of the vulnerable are unable to vote. Their voices are silent or silenced.

If you do not step up and give voice to them, then you are are contributing to their suffering and oppression.

The key to remember is that "they" are "us".66. kugelkid · NY · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
What is the problem here. this happens every day in many third world countries, including this one.67. JimPB · Silver Spring MD · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
A BIG step toward humane, ethical, responsible care is readily available in the form of the Teaching-Family group home model. This model was developed through research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to address the need for a humane, replicable, effective and cost-efficient group home model for delinquents (the model was subsequently adapted successfully for emotionally disturbed youth, the developmentally disabled, autistic persons and adults with serious mental illnesses).

The Teaching-Family group home research was not limited to the development and evaluation of the model, it extended to the dissemination and implementation of the group home model with procedures, embedded in a professional association (http://www.teaching-family.org/), for annual certification based on meeting a wide range of performance standards. (The Teaching-Family Association sets a standard that, unfortunately, no other professional organization has met for certifying professional performance.)

With benefit of a research evidence-based for the model and for the model's high fidelity implementation, Teaching-Family group homes are like day vs. the night of all too many of the typical group home. Oh, that all group homes would offer the better living through research that the Teaching-Family group home offers.[/list]
68. opinion · morgantown, wv · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Some institutions are set up with a community board that enlists volunteer activities and oversees care by being present in the facility on a regular basis. This should be written into law because if there is community oversight, there is much less chance of abuse and, on the other hand, there are opportunities for patients' complaints to be heard and problems corrected.69. Abby · Western Washington · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
I hope this article results in significant changes in the running of these homes. The thought of those poor people being tormented and neglected disgusts me. They are being left helpless at the mercy of monsters. It's sickening. Thank God your reporters wrote this story and I hope the writers scream about it from the mountain tops until something changes. The Governor needs to make the reform in conditions at group homes for the disabled a tip-top priority. How does he sleep at night knowing these atrocities are happening on his watch? It's time to clean those houses from top to bottom.70. e w · CT · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Employees with union protection versus vulnerable populations with no protection: Who will win? Not the elderly person who can't speak for herself, not the juvenile defender who no one believes because he made a mistake borne of childhood abuse, and not the developmentally disabled person who sometimes gets facts wrong. Allowing unions to represent public employees caring for vulnerable populations means someone loses, and it will be the homeless, the bedridden, and the frail every single time.

Even if I agreed union protection was acceptable (and I don't) how do you not even TRY to fire someone after they sexually assault someone who must wear a diaper? Would the union even have the guts to defend that person if the case were made public?

Can we all find the courage to support restricting union power for the most vulnerable among us? Now is the perfect time.71. Holly · Golden, Co · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Every govenment effort at instiutionalizing the seriously mentally ill in instituions has failed for multiple reasons. Some economic, some social and as documented in this story some from criminal reasons. So our sane people are following Enstein's definition of insanity, to keep doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
What society doesn't see is the families who through scarifice, dedication and love who take care of their own. These people don't make public statistics or nor are they easy to be found by reporters to lay out their stories of success. The answer is not large or small publically funded or run instituions. We are asking these institutions to do something they aren't capable of, truly caring. Yes, some individual employees do and some individual employees abuse. But supervising, screening and qualifying people to do this job is an imperfect art at best.
The truth is that seriously mentally ill people don't have a chance at any type of decent life outside of the family structure. There is not magic pill, literally or figuratively.72. C · NY · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Some years ago I volunteered extensively with a therapy program for children with mental and physical disabilities. Many of the children I met are now adults or approaching adulthood, and of course their parents have grown older, as well. I know that many of these children - many an only child or with a sibling similarly disabled - will someday end up in state-run homes. I can only hope that Governor Cuomo's administration is able to reform this mess - and that no more are not subjected to the abuse and poor treatment exposed in this article.73. CLP · CT · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Jeffrey Monsour should be commended. What a courageous person to persist in trying to do the right thing, rather than the easy thing. It is employees like Monsour that should be supported by the Union, not those clearly unfit for this work.

In college I worked as a relief worker in a home outside Rochester, NY in which two clients were past residents of Willowbrook. These two females made great gains in health and wellbeing while in the group home setting. The individuals that I worked with treated the residents well.

Clearly, supervision and oversight are important. I hope that Cuomo is able to create such a system that supports the care of residents and the employees that work hard everyday. And Jeffrey Monsour should be promoted to help!74. Just Donna · Cincinnati, Ohio · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Thank you, Danny. No matter how advanced we think we are as a nation caring for our population of adults with disabilities, we still have a very long way to go educating the general public about the reality they live everyday. Self-determination in the last 10 years has only pushed this population of adults further out in the margin making them more vulnerable to poorly supervised, under-funded group homes.

This is a crime against humanity.75. Jay Mulberry · Chicago · March 13th, 2011 12:20 pm
Hideous.
Thanks to Danny Hakim Times for spending the time and resources to put together such an excellent expose.

© 2011 The New York Times Company

Ursus:
Here's a video, found on a separate page and accessible via the below title link, which accompanies the above article, "At State-Run Homes, Abuse and Impunity" (by Danny Hakim; March 12, 2011; The New York Times).

A frame of this clip, visible behind the "start" symbol, reads as follows:

"The New York Times investigated 399 cases involving state employees with a serious offense in the last two years, and at least one prior offense..."[/list]

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The New York Times
Published: March 12, 2011

ABUSED AND USED | REPEAT OFFENDERS
Workers Keep Their Jobs, Even After Repeat Offenses

An investigation by The Times found that state employees who sexually abused, beat or taunted residents of group homes were rarely fired, and in many cases, were simply transferred elsewhere.


© 2011 The New York Times Company

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