Report blasts plan to change at-risk kids' psychiatric care
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The state Juvenile Justice Commission has accused the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources of operating under a “cloak of secrecy” while negotiating new contracts to place youths in residential psychiatric facilities.
The commission released a report Monday saying the DHHR intended to “unilaterally” overhaul the residential placement system without consulting key figures in the juvenile justice system or considering how the changes would affect residential centers’ finances, news outlets reported.
The Supreme Court has placed a stay on a pending contract that would include a 180-day limit on juveniles’ stays at the facilities and change how services are billed. Bundled daily rates of $250 for residential placements would be replaced by a standard rate of $178 in addition to further billing for supplementary services.
The DHHR has said its changes are aimed at ensuring children with behavioral problems are assigned to a community-based setting, rather than the traditional group setting.
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