Investigation into Abuse in Youth Residential Facilities including Acadia Healthcare

Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate several major operators of youth residential treatment facilities. His recent Senate investigation uncovered alarming evidence of abuse, neglect, and substandard care at facilities run by Universal Health Services (UHS), Acadia Healthcare, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, and Vivant Behavioral Healthcare. These organizations provide treatment to at-risk youth, including foster children and children from low-income families, yet the findings suggest they have failed to deliver appropriate care.

 

Abuse and Neglect Allegations in Youth Residential Facilities

The Senate investigation highlights shocking conditions at these facilities. Children have been restrained for minor infractions, such as refusing a strip search or stealing a staff radio. In some cases, staff isolated children while administering sedatives, practices that violate federal Medicaid rules. Medicaid regulations prohibit facilities from using restraints as a form of discipline or restraining and secluding children at the same time.

 

The report also details unsanitary and dangerous living conditions in certain facilities. Some had broken glass, damaged furniture, and even insect infestations. These conditions are unacceptable, especially in environments designed to provide safety and care for vulnerable youth.

 

Wyden’s findings also point to systemic cost-cutting measures that prioritize profit over the well-being of children. These cuts often lead to understaffed and poorly maintained facilities, which in turn result in inadequate care and unsafe environments.

 

Fraud and Violation of Federal Standards

Senator Wyden has asked the DOJ to examine whether these facilities are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by placing children in residential care when they could be treated at home. He also wants the department to investigate whether the facilities are committing fraud by providing substandard services while receiving Medicaid funds.

 

The companies in question serve thousands of children each year. If they are found guilty of providing substandard care, the DOJ could order significant financial penalties. They can also mandate policy changes to improve treatment standards. Wyden’s probe suggests that many of these facilities fail to meet the minimum requirements for federal funding.

 

Industry Response to Allegations

In response to Wyden’s allegations, the organizations involved have issued varying defenses. UHS dismissed the findings as a “false narrative” and claimed the report was based on isolated incidents. The company also defended its staff, emphasizing their dedication to improving the lives of residents.

 

Acadia Healthcare, another organization named in the report, also disputes the findings. The company insists its facilities are “highly regulated” and comply with federal, state, and local policies. Despite these claims, Acadia has a history of legal troubles, including a recent $1.4 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for attempting to prevent employees from filing complaints with government agencies.

 

Meanwhile, Vivant Behavioral Healthcare, another target of the investigation, has yet to respond directly to the report’s findings but has previously rejected claims of understaffing and neglect. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, a nonprofit organization, expresses frustration over being grouped with for-profit companies like UHS and Acadia, asserting that the reported incidents did not occur in its facilities.

 

Acadia Healthcare Under Investigation

KBA Attorneys is currently investigating cases involving Acadia Healthcare. If you or a loved one has experienced neglect, abuse, or inadequate care at an Acadia facility, you are not alone. Our legal team is dedicated to uncovering the truth and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. We are actively pursuing justice for families who have been harmed by substandard care in Acadia-run facilities. Contact KBA Attorneys today for a confidential consultation to discuss your options.

 

A Systemic Problem Beyond Acadia

While KBA Attorneys is focused on Acadia, it is important to note that this issue extends beyond just one company. The Senate investigation reveals widespread problems across the entire youth residential treatment industry. Facilities operated by UHS, Vivant, and Devereux have also been implicated in patterns of abuse and neglect. These companies care for thousands of children, many of whom are already vulnerable due to their circumstances. The allegations suggest that too many of these children are being mistreated, and the companies are not being held to proper standards. The findings point to a broader, industry-wide failure to protect the well-being of these at-risk youths.

 

Congress Takes Action Against Youth Residential Facilities

The letters from Senator Wyden represent a broader effort by lawmakers to address the failings of the youth residential care industry. Congressional concern has been fueled by a growing wave of activism from former patients and investigative news reports that have exposed troubling patterns of mistreatment in these facilities. Wyden’s letters follow a June 2024 Senate Finance Committee report, which concluded that the pursuit of profit by these corporations has led to the provision of substandard care. The DOJ has the authority to investigate these claims. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, it could impose penalties and negotiate new care standards.

 

Wyden’s actions have already prompted some federal agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Administration for Children and Families, to explore new regulations that would encourage states to move away from placing children in these residential facilities. Instead, they could provide more in-home treatment options that may be safer and more effective.

 

Implications of the Investigation Against Youth Residential Facilities

The findings from the Senate investigation into youth residential treatment facilities are deeply concerning. The evidence suggests that many children in these facilities are subject to abuse, neglect, and substandard care. Senator Wyden’s call for a DOJ investigation could be a critical step toward holding these companies accountable and improving care standards for at-risk youth.

 

KBA Attorneys will continue to monitor developments in these investigations, particularly as they relate to Acadia Healthcare. If you or someone you know has been affected by mistreatment in an Acadia facility, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.