U.S. Senate Committee Finds That Residential Facilities Put Youth With I/DD At Risk

Children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and other behavioral needs who reside in residential treatment facilities (RTFs) face potential abuse and neglect, according to a recent report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance following a two-year investigation. These children regularly experience physical, sexual, and verbal abuse at such facilities. The facilities also frequently employ Inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion, have unsafe and unsanitary conditions, have staff that are unqualified and inadequate, and lack appropriate behavioral health care for this population.

The report is based on a two-year investigation which focused on four of . . .