UGH! This makes me SICK!

This article appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today. "State Facility Impropertly Handcuffed Retarded Residents". Need I say more? Probably not, but I will.

So, residents were handcuffed for things like biting their own hands, bumping into staff or other residents, going outside without a coat, or touching a pizza box. This went on for TWO YEARS! That means some new administrator or other leadership position decided one day that this would be a good way to control the behavior of residents. Who made that person GOD? The fact that the rest of the staff went along with it makes me even more sick. These are the type of people that scare us parents to death. Will THEY be caring for our kids after we're gone?


"When family members and guardians complained or demanded that restraints not be used, the staff threatened retaliation by limiting visiting times and withholding information, the report said."

Please please tell me that administrator is gone!

And training. Where's the training? The article states "Opheim noted that budget cuts in recent years have sharply reduced the amount of resources for staff training at the Extended Treatment Program." Shouldn't that be one of the first things on the list? I mean, you can't care for the residents if you don't know how to care for them! Good grief!!!!