A scathing federal audit slams the state of Indiana's oversight of group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities after finding multiple health and safety issues in some residences that put clients at risk.
The 40-page report includes photos showing group homes with water damage and mold on ceilings and walls, a toilet with mold and a missing seat, used bedside urinals left in a sink, an unlocked medicine cabinet containing a controlled substance, a missing smoke detector, a broken window, peeling paint and a heavy grate blocking an emergency exit, among other violations.
Altogether, 29 of the 30 residences visited by inspectors from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were noncompliant with one or more state health, safety or record-keeping requirements, including 116 health and safety violations found at 27 group homes.
The audit does not identify the specific group homes visited or the entities operating them. However, HHS said it conducted fieldwork for its audit in Crown Point, LaPorte, Merrillville, Michigan City, Portage and Valparaiso, among other locations across the state.
Dozens of instances of administrative noncompliance were also listed in the audit, including providers that didn't obtain proof of insurance for staff who drove clients, compile vehicle maintenance records or conduct criminal history checks on employees providing direct care to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Federal investigators faulted the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration for permitting lapses in health, safety and record-keeping standards at group homes based on the state's obligation to protect the health and welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities served by the Medicaid health program in non-institutional settings.
"Residential providers did not always meet the needs of program participants or maintain compliance with state requirements, and the state agency's inspections of the residential settings were insufficient to ensure a safe environment. As a result, participants with developmental disabilities who received supported living services were at risk," the audit said.
Holly Wimsatt, FSSA director of the Bureau of Disabilities Services, said the state agency has worked closely with residential providers since the autumn 2024 federal inspections to remedy the 246 total instances of noncompliance identified in the audit.
The bureau has also implemented new policies and procedures to obtain and maintain quality providers, sanctioned noncompliant providers during the every three years reverification process, encouraged more incident reporting, bolstered provider and case manager education and training and enhanced technical assistance to improve quality services.
"BDS monitors provider compliance and quality through a multi-pronged approach that includes at time of application and ongoing. BDS believes that providing support and education to provider at the onset and ongoing lends to greater outcomes for individuals in our home and community-based services," Wimsatt said.
Indiana law requires every person aware of the suspected neglect, battery or exploitation of an endangered adult to contact Adult Protective Services at 800-992-6978 or local law enforcement.
© Copyright 2025, nwitimes.com, Munster, IN