Governor, Top Leaders Praise Changes at State Hospital
By: Lauren Trager
Updated: December 12, 2012
The state's largest mental health facility got a pat on the back Wednesday for climbing out of trouble.
Last year, KARK broke a story detailing what some people called a culture of abuse and neglect at the state hospital, which serves mentally and developmentally challenged people.
We uncovered lawsuits, sexual assault allegations, and reports of overall mismanagement.
The federal government was so concerned, they had threatened to yank funding. But all that's different now.
Wednesday, there were cheers and applause from some of the state's top leaders, including Governor Mike Beebe at the facility.
The reason: the State Hospital was recently given the thumbs up after being under serious federal scrutiny for the last 15 months because of those previous allegations.
Now, the feds say, after changes in leadership, policy and procedure, things are looking up. While the governor says not every problem can be solved over night, this, he says, shows they are definitely getting there.
"Every step of progress that we make toward eradicating all the problems that existed before is something that all of you and all of us can take pride in," said Governor Beebe.
The governor offered his congratulations, but says now is not the time to rest on their laurels.
IN fact, he says they have to be even more vigilant now to provide the best care for what is often a challenging and vulnerable segment of our population.
Last year, KARK broke a story detailing what some people called a culture of abuse and neglect at the state hospital, which serves mentally and developmentally challenged people.
We uncovered lawsuits, sexual assault allegations, and reports of overall mismanagement.
The federal government was so concerned, they had threatened to yank funding. But all that's different now.
Wednesday, there were cheers and applause from some of the state's top leaders, including Governor Mike Beebe at the facility.
The reason: the State Hospital was recently given the thumbs up after being under serious federal scrutiny for the last 15 months because of those previous allegations.
Now, the feds say, after changes in leadership, policy and procedure, things are looking up. While the governor says not every problem can be solved over night, this, he says, shows they are definitely getting there.
"Every step of progress that we make toward eradicating all the problems that existed before is something that all of you and all of us can take pride in," said Governor Beebe.
The governor offered his congratulations, but says now is not the time to rest on their laurels.
IN fact, he says they have to be even more vigilant now to provide the best care for what is often a challenging and vulnerable segment of our population.
