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By Phyllis Hanlon
Within the last year, the DeSisto School in Stockbridge, Mass.
has been investigated by the state nine times for infractions involving
staff training, medication issues and inappropriate use of restraints,
according to Donna Rheaume, spokesperson for the Executive Office
of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). The latest incident involved
a student reportedly cutting herself and swallowing razor blades.
The school provides care for children with emotional and behavioral
problems between the ages of 13 and 22.
Rheaume says the DeSisto School, founded 25 years ago, "resisted
licensing" until last year when the institution complied following
litigation.
Earlier this year, the school filed a mandatory incident report
to the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS), an agency under the
EOHHS umbrella, alleging neglect of a resident by program staff,
according to Rheaume. "Specifically, a child engaged in self-injurious
behavior - cutting and swallowing two razor blades - that required
hospitalization while under the supervision of staff," says Rheaume.
"As a result of its investigation, OCCS discovered that two other
children also recently engaged in self-injurious behavior."
Upon further investigation, OCCS determined that the school's administration
had not implemented adequate policies and procedures to ensure the
health, safety and appropriate care of residents, Rheaume says.
Closer inspection revealed that insufficiently trained personnel
unable to provide appropriate care and supervision jeopardized children
in dormitories. "Also, OCCS found institutional neglect in the administration
of medication to residents," says Rheaume. The school submitted
a compliance plan on February 25, as required by OCCS.
The school imposed a voluntary freeze on enrollment until OCCS
can assess and review new measures that have been implemented at
the institution, according to Rheaume. "As part of this arrangement,
all proposed new enrollments have to be reviewed by an outside,
independent consultant to ensure that the program can meet the needs
of the children," she says.
Andrea Watson, executive director of Parents for Residential Reform
(PFRR), expresses concern over the situation at DeSisto and reports
that her organization is working with OCCS to provide information
for parents interested in placing a child in residential care via
its Web site (www.PFRR.org).
Rheaume says that OCCS continues to closely monitor the DeSisto
School. The agency has found deficiencies within the school's compliance
plan and has asked DeSisto to delve deeper into these issues. "For
example, OCCS has requested the school clarify how it will provide
a safe environment for self-injurious residents by submitting documentation
stating the details of what trainings will occur and what role,
if any, a consultant may play in the areas of training and environmental
safety," says Rheaume.
"The future of the program is in the DeSisto School's hands,"
Rheaume adds. "OCCS hopes for the best outcome and expects the program
to come into compliance, but we will just have to wait and see."
The school defends its actions and the seriousness of recently
publicized incidents. Frank McNear, executive director of the school,
says, "All of the allegations have been blown way out of proportion
and all the others are partial truths."
Brian Sweeney, a graduate of DeSisto and current board of trustee
member, explains that the school has attempted to "create an environment
in which kids can excel," but that its unique and unconventional
techniques have been misunderstood. He adds that the relationship
between DeSisto and OCCS is "complicated."
"We have fundamental differences in philosophy," Sweeney says.
"But we are trying to understand each other." The school operates
under a "fluid structure," that runs counter to the more traditional
constitution other facilities follow, according to Sweeney.
Sweeney says that DeSisto alumni have achieved success in a number
of venues. "We know the system works and we believe in it," he says.
Throughout his 10-year involvement with the facility, he has witnessed
serious, concerted efforts to "help people succeed and become better
human beings." He says that in order to fulfill that mission, DeSisto
will continue to work with OCCS in an effort to "meld the rules
and philosophies" of each organization.
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