A pattern seems to be emerging from my relentless attempts to hold Vermont Human Services, specifically The Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) and the local designated human services agency, specifically Northeast Kingdom Human Services accountable for gross systematic abuse and reckless endangerment of a vulnerable adult, Bill Bennett.
Under the Vermont Statutes that civilly Commit Bill to the “Care and Custody” of the Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) The Commissioner, Dr. Susan Wehry of DAIL is responsible to provide Bennett with “Individualized Treatment” based on Bill’s disability and provides for his well-being.
Attorney’s for the Commissioner, Dr Susan Wehry, upon reports of abuse have instantly reacted against the Guardian instead of the offending parties. I can confidently say “offending” parties because as I said, a clear pattern has emerged as a result of investigations into the reports of abuse.
Claims made by Attorney’s for Vermont Human Services and Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) that the Mother is interfering and preventing Bill from receiving appropriate individualized “care and habilitation” seem laughable in light of the following investigations.
After repeated reports to APS an investigation resulted in the State finding many violations against the Safe choices Lowell House where Bill Bennett was placed by the Commissioner. Reports made directly to the Commissioner were ignored but an investigation by the State Licensing for Care Facilities turned up many violations which were directly related to my Complaints. See full Report http://www.scribd.com/doc/81206732/Safe-Choices-Lowell-House-120911
The first retaliatory acts from Vermont Human Services began in 2011 immediately after Bill Bennett hired an attorney to help fight for his freedom:
On Feb. 23, 2011, Bill Bennett reported being picked up, thrown on a bed and held down by a home care provider after he asked to use the phone to call his attorney. I made a Report to Disability Rights Vermont. Reports to APS were also made but that agency would not make a copy of the investigation available and made no findings of Abuse, which is in stark contrast to the DRV findings, which are as follows:
The evidence appears to support a finding that Home Care Provider #2 did hold Bill on the bed unnecessarily as other options,
such as allowing personal space, were available and could have been implemented without harm to any party or property.
Home Care Provider #2 could have given Bill distance and space at that time but instead chose to impose more confrontation on the situation. the use of restraint on the bed was more likely than not an effort on the part of Home Care Provider #2 to intimidate and
place Bill in fear in order to reassert control and express Home Care Provider #2’s frustration over the day’s events.
According to the Behavior Support Guidelines published by DAIL and dated October 2004, “[Th]e following types of restraint are
prohibited under any circumstances…Restraints that have the individual lying on the ground or in a bed with a worker on top of
the individual.”
Despite the fact that Home Care Provider #1 was the contracted home provider, SAS knowingly supported her in not complying with
the requirements laid out in their Contract for Services.
To Read full DRV Report http://www.scribd.com/doc/56888199/Disability-Rights-Vermont-Investigation-into-Abuse-By-Home-Care-Providers
Despite the fact that DAIL is aware of these findings and violations of their service providers they continue to attack me, the Mother, even going so far as blaming me for all their problems. In a recent document sent to the Caledonia Court where Bennett’s Annual Review should take place but is now a full year overdue! DAIL asserts that the “Mother’s inability to work respectfully with providers” is the source of all Bill’s mistreatment, providers found by investigating Agencies to be Negligent, Incompetent and in violation of the many State Regulations.
MOTHER BEAR
Safe Choices Abuse Reports 