 |
| 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honest that the decades-in-making, outdated, rigid, convoluted system is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 th
e 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.”
Full Article & Source:
‘Today is a day of reckoning’; Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to do better for its residents in vulnerable situations
