Statement from OMRDD Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter Regarding the Release of the IG Report

ALBANY, NY (06/11/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office of the Inspector General (NYSIG) has released its report “A Critical Examination of State Agency Investigation into Allegations of Abuse of Jonathan Carey” regarding the Anderson School. It answers many questions and provides much useful guidance, giving us a real opportunity to improve upon the important work this agency does to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to lead richer lives.

I am satisfied with this report and its findings. The State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) is prepared to implement the recommendations that NYSIG has made to strengthen our system of oversight.

Although the complaint occurred in 2004, prior to the beginning of my administration, I appreciate the Investigator General’s office conducting a detailed, comprehensive and independent look into this matter. The IG did not find any evidence of an alleged cover up. With that allegation put to rest, OMRDD can continue to focus on important issues we as a state need to address. Under my leadership, OMRDD is moving forward to continually improve the system of care and services for individuals of all ages with a range of developmental disabilities.

I once again extend my sympathy to the Carey family in the subsequent death of Jonathan in an unrelated and tragic incident in which justice was served by the conviction in October 2007 of the two men responsible. OMRDD is continuously implementing quality improvements and initiatives throughout the State and voluntary systems of supports and services. While there are risks in any human services system, especially a system of our size serving more than 125,000 individuals with developmental disabilities, OMRDD has adopted accountability as one of our Guiding Principles. We are constantly working to minimize risks by partnering with self-advocates, parents, guardians, voluntary agencies, the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD), NYSIG, the State Department of Health (DOH) and other State and local entities.

Over the first year of my administration, OMRDD has aggressively implemented a new plan for quality management including:

• Unveiling a new Incident Reporting Management Application (IRMA), a computerized program which provides a comprehensive system for all phases and levels of incident reporting. IRMA was recently rolled out in OMRDD’s Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSOs) statewide.

• Reducing population of individuals still living in general units in state developmental centers. Over the next five years, the developmental centers in West Seneca and Eastern Dutchess County (Taconic) will be closed. As an alternative, OMRDD is working to create opportunities for individuals to live in homes of their own or in small community-based settings. Research shows that this is not only a richer experience for those individuals it actually reduces risk.

• Creating within OMRDD a Division of Workforce and Talent Development that recognizes that investing in the skills of both state staff and those of voluntary providers is a prerequisite to having a system that can promote opportunity and reduce risk of harm. A major outcome will be greater consistency in staff training that is targeted at clearly defined skills and competencies. A new director of this division should be in place by late June.

• Building up internal controls and the capacity to respond swiftly and appropriately to any incidents of alleged abuse or poor care. I have assembled an Office of Investigations and Internal Affairs, headed by Louie Allen, who among holding other positions, was previously special agent in charge of the Albany field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Complimenting this work is the Office of Internal Controls and the work of the agency’s Internal Audit team. My strategy is to use these entities not just in a reactive manner, but as key partners with all departments throughout OMRDD to build internal controls and safeguards.

• Bringing on board a new Director of Quality Management, Sheila McBain, Ph.D., who is working on a statewide basis to restructure how OMRDD monitors service providers, recognizing that past efforts have been incredibly thorough. McBain will be focusing on compliance with detailed regulations and compliance standards and taking a comprehensive look at the overall appropriateness and quality of a program. Research across numerous human services systems bears out that promoting accountability to outcomes and clear, streamlined performance standards actually creates overall safety, quality and thus, reduced risk.

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