A psychiatric residential treatment facility in East Bethel, Minnesota, has been shut down by state officials due to an “imminent risk of harm” to the young people placed there for psychiatric care. The facility, Nexus East Bethel Family Healing, had been serving youth ages 10 through 21 with severe mental and behavioral health issues.

Background

The state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) found numerous violations at the facility, including failing to protect residents’ safety and basic rights, poor supervision, and suspected maltreatment that was not reported. The facility was also found to have poorly trained staff and treatment plans that did not meet the residents’ needs.

The closure of the facility has left many families struggling to find alternative care for their children. The young people placed in these facilities have been diagnosed with conditions such as bipolar disorder, autism, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts. They typically stay for roughly six months, according to Eren Sutherland, director of the Minnesota Disability Law Center.

Impact on Families

The closure of the East Bethel facility has exacerbated the existing problem of finding treatment beds for young people in need. Many families and county agencies are already struggling to find adequate and appropriate services. Disrupting somebody’s services is hard on kids, and it’s hard on anybody to have a change in their schedule, therapist, or doctors, said Sutherland.

Nexus Family Healing, the nonprofit organization that operates the facility, has appealed the state’s orders and is working to develop new protocols to address the identified areas for improvement. The organization serves over 4,600 children and families annually in four states, providing an array of residential programs and foster care and adoption services.

Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.