Staffing Shortages at RI Agency For Disabled Could Result in Federal Penalties
Monday, January 13, 2020
The State of Rhode Island could be facing financial penalties from the federal government due to lack of adherence to required reporting timelines for individuals with disabilities, GoLocalProv.com has learned.
The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) told GoLocalProv that “staffing challenges” at Rhode Island Community Living and Supports (RICLAS), which provides residential and day program services for individuals with disabilities, could have resulted in the state not meeting required federal reporting dates.
“The timely completion of individual support plans (ISPs) on client anniversary dates or when needs change is a priority of BHDDH, following lags due to staffing challenges,” said BHDDH spokesperson Randal Edgar. “The department is currently completing its due diligence to determine any federal compliance-related impacts.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEdgar stated that any reporting issues had not impacted “uninterrupted services” for the Rhode Islanders it serves.
“Rhode Island Community Living and Supports has provided uninterrupted services and service planning to our clients. This includes ongoing assessments and interventions by key team members – from our social workers to psychologists – as well as regular assessments made by our development disability organizations in the community," said Edgar. "We are currently up to date on all ISPs."
BHDDH did not respond to how much the state could face in financial penalties if found to be non-compliant.
Latest for BHDDH
In November, GoLocal broke that a state hospital in Rhode Island was recently cited for failing to provide proper care to 72% of patients sampled in a recent survey.
State and federal surveys of the Zambarano Unit of the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital in Burrillville -- which falls under BHDDH -- also found that patients' rights were not met, following complaints made to the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Investigations were conducted from September 18 through October 3 by federal and state authorities at Zambarano, which cares for, on average, 90 to 93 individuals living with developmental disabilities and co-occurring medical conditions.
State regulators were back at Zambarano in January.
“RIDOH staff were back at the facility as a follow-up to the survey conducted in early October,” said Joseph Wendelken with the Rhode Island Department of Health on January 6. “This kind of follow-up visit is standard to ensure that a facility is following their plan of correction.”
In December, Rebecca Boss, the former Director BHDDH, announced she was stepping down.
Governor Gina Raimondo announced following Boss' departure that she would be appointed a former Director for the post, when she announced that Kathryn Power was her selection to lead BHDDH once again.
“With more than 30 years of experience working at the federal and state levels – including the decade she served as Director of BHDDH – Kathryn is eminently qualified for this role. I’m thrilled that she agreed to once again assume leadership of BHDDH and I look forward to continuing to work together as we improve outcomes for all Rhode Islanders who live with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities,” said Raimondo.
Raimondo will submit Power’s name to the Rhode Island State Senate for advice and consent.
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