Legislator: Failure to act at state level on long line of issues is inexcusable

State Rep. Jamie Thompson again called on House Democrats today to hold hearings on staggering revelations surrounding care for youth in mental health and detention facilities in Michigan.

“Protecting children and families is one of my top priorities in the Legislature,” said Thompson, of Brownstown, who serves on the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee. “This shouldn’t continue to be an instance of saying mistakes happen and moving on with promises to improve. That’s not an acceptable course of action for families who have loved ones in these facilities.

“The state is letting down people’s sons, daughters and grandchildren through shoddy care and a lack of proper reporting. As a Legislature, we need to look at what has happened, get answers, generate solutions and make it clear that this trend must not continue. We have to be better.”

A CBS Detroit report from this week discussed a wrongful termination lawsuit recently brought forth by two former nurses at William Dickerson Detention Facility in Hamtramck. The nurses say in the lawsuit that expired medications have been given to kids at the facility, youth are living in unacceptable conditions and the facility lacks sufficient emergency care equipment.

When these alleged issues were reported to supervisors, according to the suit, the two nurses were fired.

The report comes following other instances of reported mistreatment. Thompson has met and spoken with families who have loved ones at the Hawthorn Center in Novi and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Wayne County and have expressed concern and outrage regarding numerous issues. Among those issues are communication barriers and restrictions on weekends that have left parents unable to contact their children via phone or visit with them outside of normal workdays, health concerns, erratic educational services and limited recreation or outdoor time that could jeopardize a patient’s well-being.

“At what point do we say enough is enough and that children being housed in these facilities deserve better?” Thompson said. “These were heartbreaking stories to listen to. I stand with these families, and I am committed to fighting for transparency and accountability.”

Prior to the House adjourning for the year, Thompson sent a letter to House Appropriations Behavioral Health Subcommittee Chair Felicia Brabec demanding the committee look into instances where the state’s juvenile mental health system has failed families in greater Detroit. Thompson also joined other legislators in calling for a state audit of the Hawthorn Center earlier this year. These repeated calls for action to help solve these problems have so far fallen on deaf ears.

“The needs of juveniles in the state’s care and what has transpired at youth care facilities should be priorities when the House comes back in January,” Thompson said. “Sitting on our hands and hoping these issues magically correct themselves means the health and well-being of children in Michigan continues to be at risk.”