April 11, 2007

CRIPA Investigation of the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center, St. Louis, Missouri

During November 7-9, 2005, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed the medical records, policies, and procedures at the state owned and operated Bellefontaine Habilitation Center (BHC) as well as conducted interviews with their staff and residents. This review found that developmentally disabled residents were constantly subjected to abuse and neglect from BHS staff members: caretakers were routinely either directly involved in causing harm to their residents or were unaware of injuries sustained by them. The investigation also discovered that residents were not properly aided in developing new skills, inhibiting their overall progress. BHC has refused to place qualified residents in community settings and has not provided adequate training to prepare more residents for integrated living. Staff at BHC are not provided with adequate formal training. In addition, the facility's Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) were found to be out-of-date, incomplete, or misused and/or unused by staff.

The investigation suggested that the State of Missouri should immediately remedy the situation at BHC by ensuring the safety of its residents, providing adequate training to current and incoming staff, updating the facility's BSPs so that they might provide adequate information and appropriate care, and improving services to residents to encourage integration into more independent communities.