Deaths in DC Group Homes - The Council Demands Answers
Adults with mental disabilities are among the most vulnerable citizens in the DC metropolitan area. We agree with the DC Council. There must be full disclosure of the results of this investigation in order to assure that the necessary changes are made to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
According to Elizabeth Jones, a court monitor, the District of Columbia is not providing adequate care for the mentally and physically disabled residents in its group homes. This same monitor found that the pattern of neglect by the District of Columbia led to the death of 4 group home residents between November 2004 and September 2005.
The initial report did not identify the individuals who died or those caretakers who were responsible. Ms. Jones attributed the deaths to serious neglect by two contractors who operate the homes and to poor oversight by the city.
However, the DC Council recently adopted emergency legislation to make the reports on the deaths and serious incidents public. The bill was sponsored by council members Adrian Fenty (Ward 4) and Kathy Patterson (Ward 3). Fenty has called for a special council investiation into the recent deaths at these group homes.
The first report concluded that the deaths may have been prevented if the City's Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration had follow up on recommendations for improving care in the group home settings. There were numerous problems cited including failure to monitor diet and nutrition, poor communication between the caretakers and hospitals, delays in treatment, and failure to check the qualifications of staff at the group homes.