Rhode Island violates the civil rights of hundreds of children with mental health or developmental disabilities by routinely and needlessly confining them to Bradley Hospital, an acute psychiatric hospital. Federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Zachary Cunha, the U.S. attorney for the District of Rhode Island, found in a multi-year investigation that the state failed to comply with its legal obligation to provide children with services in the most comprehensive environment to meet their needs. It was revealed that he had been admitted to the hospital. Bradley continued for months, and in some cases for more than a year.
“That the state has chosen to house these children in psychiatric hospitals rather than actively working to provide the community care, support, and services that these children need and are required by law. I can’t help but be appalled,” Cunha said.
He hopes the investigation will prompt the state to take swift action to meet its obligations under federal law.
The findings were sent to Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.
“This alarming report reveals long-standing problems that clearly need improvement,” said Olivia D’Arocha, an aide to Mr. McKee. This is exacerbated by a lack of resources.”
“While the Administration has taken steps to improve the current placement system, we know more needs to be done and we are working closely with DCYF and the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We support continued cooperation,” she added. “Together, we will continue to explore short- and long-term solutions to provide each child with a behavioral health disorder with appropriate services in the most integrated environment.”
Although Bradley’s hospitalization lasted only one to two weeks, federal studies show that children with behavioral health disorders in DCYF’s care continue to suffer in the hospital even when they are ready to be discharged. It concluded that patients are often forced to suffer in the hospital even when they are ready to be discharged. Investigators said services at the family’s home would be more appropriate.
From January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2022, 527 children in DCYF’s care or custody or voluntarily receiving services through DCYF were admitted to Bradley Hospital. Of these, 116 children were hospitalized for more than 100 consecutive days in a single hospitalization, 42 were hospitalized for more than 180 days, and 7 were hospitalized for more than 1 year.
Investigators say many of the children ended up in avoidable and unnecessary long hospital stays because DCYF failed to provide them with the community-based services they needed, leaving them in less restrictive settings. It says it is unavoidable to keep children in the hospital for long periods of time when they could be better served by their needs. It only exacerbates the child’s dire needs.
The investigation, also conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, found that DCYF’s failure to seek employment in a assisted living setting could lead to both delayed discharge and inappropriate employment after discharge. It was also found that there is a sex. , which often leads to subsequent hospitalization.
