Inclusion Daily Express -- Nebraska Institution Came Close To Losing Funding, Again

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Nebraska Institution Came Close To Losing Funding, Again
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
May 14, 2007

BEATRICE, NEBRASKA--For the second time in eight months, the Beatrice State Developmental Center has been at risk of losing federal funding for placing its residents with developmental disabilities in "immediate jeopardy".

Last Friday, the 120-year-old facility, which houses about 350 children and adults, came to within two days of losing $25.6 million in federal funds -- more than half of the institution's annual budget.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found during an April visit that the facility had failed to properly investigate and respond to reports of abuse, neglect and mistreatment. Beatrice officials had been given until Sunday to take corrective action.

The citation was similar to one of three CMS gave the facility last October. At that time, the federal reviewers found that facility officials had failed to follow up on a claim by a female resident that a male resident -- who was supposed to be closely supervised because of a history of "inappropriate sexual behavior" -- raped her. Interviews with staff revealed that they were not aware that he was to be monitored more closely than any other resident. Investigators also found that the facility failed to look into its restraint procedures after a resident was injured during an improper restraint.

The facility's administrator resigned when that report was released.

The Arc of Nebraska has repeatedly called for the state to close BSDC and establish an independent oversight commission to monitor the residents' needs.

"It's unfortunate we're seeing the continued problems of abuse," the Arc's executive director Deborah Weston told the Omaha World-Herald. "More than that, it's unacceptable."

Related:
"Beatrice care center gets second scare" (Omaha World-Herald)
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2382262
"Community Advocates Call For Closing Troubled Nebraska Institution" October 10, 2006 (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/archives/06/10/10/101006nebsdc.htm

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