A juvenile mental health center in Ohio is shutting down after serious reports of abuse. Youth Intensive Services in Youngstown will close its residential facilities and move its few current residents to new places by March 28, 2024. The decision comes after state authorities found evidence of neglect and mistreatment.
In July 2024, the center was ordered to stop accepting new patients due to issues like improper restraint techniques and insufficient staff training. This order followed a two-day inspection conducted by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Disability Rights Ohio investigated the center for 16 months, uncovering disturbing practices. Reports included physical abuse, such as children being put in chokeholds or slapped, and instances of verbal mistreatment. Many children were reportedly leaving the premises regularly, raising serious safety concerns.
Kerstin Sjoberg, the director of Disability Rights Ohio, emphasizes that closing the center is a protective step for the affected youth. “We believe this is the best outcome for safeguarding the kids,” she noted, recognizing the risks involved in keeping the center operational.
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services oversees around 60 licensed facilities that provide care for at-risk youth. Youth Intensive Services had been licensed to support children aged 12 to 18, helping them with mental and behavioral health issues.
As this situation unfolds, the community is urged to remain aware of the challenges faced by youth facilities and the importance of ensuring safe and supportive environments for all children.
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