The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has revoked the license of an Inver Grove Heights-based service provider after determining that its staff neglected to provide the assistance to vulnerable adults for which they were hired. The company’s actions are blamed for conditions such as insect infestation, rotting food, mold, cat feces and garbage strewn throughout an apartment.
One Life Health Services was licensed to provide a variety of services to vulnerable adults. In a memo last month, the state revoked that license, finding maltreatment based on neglect.
“There was a preponderance of evidence that [the vulnerable adults] did not receive services provided by their care plans which posed a serious risk of harm to their physical and mental health,” the memo said. “It was determined that neglect occurred.”
Staffers at One Life were supposed to help two roommates living in a South St. Paul apartment manage their lives by providing 10 hours of “independent living skills services” a week to each adult. Those services included help with cleaning, as well as demonstrating how to manage homemaking tasks.
The apartment’s conditions deteriorated. A case manager noted that “everybody knew” the problems existed.
But a One Life staff member contended in a memo that the blame laid on the clients, who have complex diagnoses.
David H. Brooks, owner of One Life Health Services, said that he is appealing the state’s findings and the revocation order. Many of his company’s clients are unpredictable, have challenging behaviors and cause property damage. They would be homeless if he didn’t sublease apartments to them and provide services, he said.
He disputes the state’s determination that One Life didn’t provide the contracted services, adding that “we have paperwork to support all of those hours.”
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
