In May of 2019, shock waves were felt throughout adult service providers as the new of Bellwether Behavioral Healths closing was made public. Within the state of New Jersey, it was a widely known fact that this for-profit organization had been under great turmoil however, the news of its closing was not something anyone expected. According to an article released on May 22, 2019 on the northjersey.com website:
““The state report on the independent monitor’s findings released Wednesday found 12 of Bellwether’s 14 group homes operating on provisional licenses in New Jersey were deficient in cleanliness. Half smelled of urine, five had rotten or expired food in the refrigerator and one was found to have mixed up residents’ medications, according to the report.””
The decision of New Jersey to revoke the operational license of Bellwether Behavioral Health was not a small task and this act has sent the entire Adult Services community into crisis. 8 separate agencies have been identified to absorb the Bellwether individuals and provide services from this point forward. Although the closing of this organization signifies a new and better future for the individuals being served, it additionally represents a nightmare scenario for all parents of developmentally disabled individuals.
One of the hardest decisions for any parent is the decision to place your child in the care of someone else. Traditionally, this is not a decision that is made haphazardly, and a large amount of time and planning goes into identifying the correct agency for each individual and family. Within the world of adult services, it is very easy to become overwhelmed with the wide range of options presented to a family for vocational, residential, recreational, and transportation services. As a BCBA working within the field of adult services, I often participate in meeting and greeting parents who are struggling with the decision to place their child into a group home. I have been asked a wide range of questions, however, the underlying current of each question is simple “will my child be safe, happy, and thrive under your care?”. Here are three lessons I have learned over the years that might help you in your journey through the process of identifying service providers for your child.
1. Write your questions down.
Some parents/guardians are truly afraid to ask questions during the interview process. For some, this comes with a fear of not wanting to upset the service provider with too many questions. If you have a child with increased aggression, you don't want to rock the boat but, in this case, you have to rock a few boats to make sure you have boarded the correct one. Not all service provider agencies are created equal and you will only understand this through question geared towards the truth. Every single organization can present you a beautiful picture and they will. I like to call this the representative presentation. These are those corporate answers that have been polished and refined, however, the truth hurts. Some questions you should ask are:
- What areas of service delivery does your organization excel in?
- What areas of service delivery does your organization struggle with?
- How will my child’s life change once he/she is under your care?
- Will my child be able to participate in the planning of daily activities and community outings to the best of their ability?
Yes, these questions are not easy to answer but they will provide you with a better picture of what you and your family would be receiving. Covenant 15:16 is committed to supporting you in your journey through this process. We have developed an eBook for you to download entitled “The Service Provider Check List”. Simply click on the link below and claim your copy today.
2. Do your research.
Researching service provider agencies has never been easier than in today's social media culture. Go to your google browser and type in Bellwether Behavioral Health and you will find 300,000 + search results. When presented with any service delivery organization, the first thing you should do is research them. Look into their respective website but don't just stop there. Look into job posting sites and read reviews from employees (both current and past). Search social media and view any profiles they have. Conduct searches on media outlet sites to see if the organization has been on the news (both good and bad). If possible, contact your state division overseeing adult services and/or the Better Business Bureau. The more information you obtain, the better your decision will be.
3. Never be afraid to say NO.
For some parents, the interview process produces a great deal of anxiety and fear. One of these fears stems from the possible rejection of their child from a potential service provider. Parents at times do not want to risk a potential placement for their child by upsetting the intake team. If a service provider organization becomes upset by the questions you are asking, then they are not provided for you and your family. You are attempting to gain insight on the potential life your child will have within this service providers care and it is your God-given right to ensure your child is taken care of. The more questions you ask, the better. If at any time you feel the organization is not a good fit for you and your family, simply decline the placement. It is easier to decline a placement than to find an alternative placement once you have accepted. Yes, it will hurt to walk away and there will be some feelings of anxiety but in the long run, you will win.
Transition is never an easy process and at times, it can produce very real emotions. This is a natural reaction for the process; however, the best way to handle this transition is to be an informed consumer. The more information you obtain, the better decisions you can make. Let the store of Bellwether be your guide and serve as a cautionary tale. Not all service providers are created equal, however, once you have identified a great fit for you and your family, you will be able to rest a little easier at night.