‘Today is a day of reckoning’; Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to do better for its residents in vulnerable situations

Surrounded by an army of advocates and administration officials, Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed an executive order designed to identify ways to improve services to Pennsylvanians in vulnerable situations.

Saying the horror stories of Pennsylvanians who were harmed by state-provided programs and services designed to protect them, Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for change.

He signed an executive order that acknowledges shortcomings in the systems and establishes a process aimed at identifying their causes and making improvements.

“Today, we are being honest that the decades-in-making, outdated, rigid, convoluted system is not working for too many Pennsylvanians. And we are vowing to change this,” Wolf said at a Wednesday news conference at the Capitol. "The problem, of course, is that institutions you all know have lobbyists and powerful advocates while the people they serve do not. For these systems, today is a day of reckoning.”

His executive order creates the Office of Advocacy and Reform, the position of Child Advocate, and a 25-member Council on Reform, all volunteers, tasked with crafting with a report with recommendations to address the inadequacies by Nov. 1.

Wolf acknowledged the failures of the system were highlighted by reports of violent treatment of children at Glen Mills Schools and violations at Wordsworth Academy, both Philadelphia area schools for troubled youth, and the rape and murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer by her adoptive parents.

“This is all unacceptable. These tragedies should never have happened,” Wolf said. “For too long we have viewed the role of the state as one of just administration and oversight. Our systems have been built to prioritize the institution over the human being. This executive order reimagines our responsibility and shifts our outlook.”

The council also will look at weaknesses in systems supposed to protect older Pennsylvanians from abuse in nursing homes, those struggling with access to treatment for mental illnesses, people with disabilities, and those with substance abuse disorders. Wolf said it will work with the Legislature and advocates from interest groups in making changes.

The Office of Advocacy and Reform is charged with reviewing policies, laws and procedures and to make recommendations to revamp the way services are developed by the commonwealth, including strengthening the advocacy for the rights of older Pennsylvanians. The Child Advocate will focus on children’s safety and legal protections.

“Over the years, there have been many reports and many studies often undertaken in response to a crisis,” Wolf said. “Critical recommendations have emerged from many of these reports but they were often laid aside as the crisis faced into history. People forgot. No more.”

The executive order drew a mixed response from the various groups representing the very populations that the governor wants to better serve. Some voiced optimism that long-awaited improvements could result while others voiced trepidations that as Wolf noted, end up being another report that grows dusty on a shelf.

The Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association, an organization that represents a variety of health and human service providers, applauded the governor’s focus on addressing and helping to prevent the mistreatment of Pennsylvanians in vulnerable situations.

County commissioners whose agencies are responsible for delivering many of the human services targeted in the executive order also welcome this thorough review.

“We agree system changes are needed to allow us to more efficiently deliver services for which counties have been advocating, and we look forward to working together with state officials in developing solutions,” said Doug Hill, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.

Both the county commissioners organization and Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association will be among those with represented on the council. Kari King, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, also will be a member.

She said she looks forward to being able to elevate the need to reduce placement of foster children in group homes by placing them in kinship or family-based care settings where research has shown the outcomes are better.

Statistics from the organization’s 2019 State of the Child Welfare report show of the 25,441 in foster care last year, only about half of the 81 percent in a family-care setting were living with a relative. A third of the foster children were 13 or older and more likely to be placed in a group home or institution setting.

“Anytime we take a look at the way we are doing things is probably good to do that," said Vicki Hoak, executive director of PA Homecare Association, which represents organizations that provide home care services.

In particular, she is glad the governor mentioned a need to look at reviving the Older Adult Protective Services Act that the court struck down four years ago that would establish in law limitations on hiring individuals with criminal records to provide in-home services. Currently, home care agencies can only rely on departmental guidance for this information, she said.

“I just hope we are given the opportunity to work with the groups appointed to the council and help them form their opinions and recommendations,” said Hoak, whose organization is not a represented on the council.

Others were less enthused or at least conflicted about what this initiative will accomplish, particularly since Wolf said he expects savings may be derived from the changes that result.

Cathleen Palm, founder of the Center for Children’s Justice, said while she wants to celebrate the governor’s decision to create a Child Advocate, “the challenge is that announcement was woven together with repeated references to the fact that no money is needed, there is no cost.”

“Anytime we take a look at the way we are doing things is probably good to do that," said Vicki Hoak, executive director of PA Homecare Association, which represents organizations that provide home care services.

In particular, she is glad the governor mentioned a need to look at reviving the Older Adult Protective Services Act that the court struck down four years ago that would establish in law limitations on hiring individuals with criminal records to provide in-home services. Currently, home care agencies can only rely on departmental guidance for this information, she said.

“I just hope we are given the opportunity to work with the groups appointed to the council and help them form their opinions and recommendations,” said Hoak, whose organization is not a represented on the council.

Others were less enthused or at least conflicted about what this initiative will accomplish, particularly since Wolf said he expects savings may be derived from the changes that result.

Cathleen Palm, founder of the Center for Children’s Justice, said while she wants to celebrate the governor’s decision to create a Child Advocate, “the challenge is that announcement was woven together with repeated references to the fact that no money is needed, there is no cost.”

She also is troubled by the fact that the advocate serves at the pleasure of the governor and will take direction from other administration appointees. “In other words, is there a level of independence that is implied and expected?" she said.

"There is every reason to see this as a step forward just the use of the governor’s bully pulpit to send a message Pennsylvania is done letting institutional practice and loyalties be of greater priority than protecting children, but there are just so many questions that need answered to be sure this isn’t a moment of victory in words only.”

The Pennsylvania Health Care Association, which represents skilled nursing homes, felt the governor in his comments failed to recognize that nursing homes have a role to play in elder care in this state. Its president and CEO Zach Shamberg also lamented the fact that no one representing nursing homes and their concerns about Medicaid underfunding, staffing shortages, and the legal and regulatory environment was included on the council.

“If the Wolf administration wants to continue its intense scrutiny of nursing facilities, then it must be willing to hear from those who face these challenges daily,” Shamberg said. "In the meantime, we look forward to providing input and testimony to ensure our residents are protected from any kind of abuse and continue to receive the best care possible in Pennsylvania.”

Wolf acknowledged the council was not an exhaustive group but that it will be going around the state taking testimony from those who have direct knowledge of the problems that exist in the system.

“It’s just time to take a look at this,” he said. “It was probably time when I first became governor but I think this is as good a time as any. Let’s address the issue. Let’s open our eyes and acknowledge we probably have not done as well as we should have.”

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‘Today is a day of reckoning’; Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to do better for its residents in vulnerable situations