Valley Local Human Rights Committee

Minutes

January 9, 2015

Page 1

Chuck Collins, Regional Advocate

Friday January 9,, 2015at 9:00 am

Board Members In Attendance:Board Members Absent:

Jim Hall, ChairPat Gore, Vice Chair

Joan PolzinBarbara Fitch

Heidi Campbell

Kenneth Alger II

Mary Belle Weeks

Affiliates in Attendance:

Valley Local Human Rights Committee

Minutes

January 9, 2015

Page 1

RESCARE - Creative Family Solutions

DePaul Community Resources

Family Sharing, Inc. Blackberry Ridge

Breezy Hill

Valley CSB

Wall Residences

Arc of Augusta

Community Living Specialist

Augusta Health

Valley Local Human Rights Committee

Minutes

January 9, 2015

Page 1

Meeting called to Order

Mr. Jim Hall, Chair

  • All present introduced themselves

Approval of October 10, 2014 Minutes

  • No quorum therefore cannot officially approve the minutes
  • Minutes recommended for approvalby the committee members
  • Creative family and Blue Ridge Residential presented their transition from their current restraint training to the new You’re Safe I’m Safe (YSIS) system

Public Comment

  • Jennifer Fidura presented an update of the legislative activity in Richmond.
  • There was lengthy discussion about the screening of personnel for prior offenses against adults as a result of the information shared by Jennifer.
  • Joan Polzin brought up a concern about the recent treatment of a man with CP who had a speech problem who was arrested because of his slurring and “resistance of arrest” and screened and placed in Crossroads. Gentleman incarcerated at Crossroads. Need to improve the sensitivity courses that the police have in terms of awareness of physical issues which present as mental health or substance abuse. Also improperly trained personnel allowed to make an assessment at Crossroads. Police get CIT training, however, this was missed. Laura Pullen from Crossroads, Augusta Health, commented that there was a lot of information that was not covered in the paper, that the gentleman was committed by hearing and legal representation was provided. Chuck Collins commented that in the new evolution of the rulings as a result of the Creigh Deeds case, often people in the mental health care industry may be erring on the side of caution.
  • VLHRC Treasury:LHRC Secretary presented that VLHRC account now has $260.64.

Affiliate Presentations

  • Community Living Services:20 day support 27 residential 7 houses, closed Lyndhurst, 1 founded case of neglect with Chuck and the licensing specialist, 3 employees terminated
  • The Arc of Augusta31 individuals served, 35 complaints, 8 physical (5 falls, 3 cuts and scratches), 6 seizures, 17 medication errors on 1 client, 1 allegation of abuse/neglect for the med errors, APS all involved, issues resolved at day program but client still with the caregiver who is not with Arc
  • Family Sharing, 0 restraints, 0 complaints, 1 founded case of abuse of a person who was not in Family Sharing who was abusing a FS client
  • Blackberry Ridge not present
  • Wall Residences, 47 clients, 3 abuse or neglect alleged, 1 physical, 1 neglect secondary due to med error, 1 verbal founded, corrective action taken in terms of training and relocation of client at the client’s request, 1 incident of med error, corrective action taken, 1 allegation of client stating he was getting drunk, was not founded neglect, however, client is now in In Home rather than SR, closed home due to general lack of respect of caregivers

Affiliation Request:

Blue Ridge Residential: requesting location changes for SR homes for 201 Vine Lane, Winchester, VA 22602 and closing of affiliation of old location address of the hold 144 Pitman Ct. Stephen City, VA.

Addition of New Location:

  • Wall Residences:
  • Family Provider Kim Moore 1240 Lyndhurst Rd. Waynesboro, VA 22980
  • DePaul Cmmunity Resources:
  • Vincent & Lisa Lerz 661 Ladd Rd., Fishersville, VA 22939
  • Debbie Bryant 2508 Hickory St. Staunton, VA 24401
  • Lisa Roberts 40 Spring Court Charlottesville Va 22901
  • Valley CSB:
  • Wilson Middle School 232 Hornet Rd. Fishersville, VA 22939
  • Clymore Elementary 194 Fort Defiance Rd. Fort Defiance Va 24437

**All Locations approved by the committee. Chuck will notify the licensing specialist

Chuck Collins – Final Thoughts

Gave a Ted Talk, the difference between things when he started and now. He had a conversation with the Commissioner: Address TBIs as a department, registration for adult protective services, if we are having a budget crisis why do we have more people being hired in the Central Office…need more Indians and fewer chiefs, gave her his view of an advocate – Advocates are the eyes and ears of the Commissioner….now there are too many layers in between…needs to be direct access for the important “in the field programs” and the commissioner, and the most important thing about the OHR is the regulations…gives credibility, legitimacy, legal force behind what is done therefore any attempt to diminish or water down the HR Regulations is a mistake. ASKING PROVIDERS: on behalf of the individuals we serve, carefully review the changes to the regulations, speak up in support or where there are deficiencies, esp. undermining of the effectiveness of the advocate or the LHRC committees.

Closed session called to order

  • Wall Residences
  • Family Sharing, Inc.
  • Community Living Services

**All presentations approved

Closed session adjourned at 11:50 A.M. and open Session reconvened

Next Meeting April 10, 2015

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 PM.