"For years now, we've been issuing audits detailing the abuse in Missouri's care facilities," Montee said. "We're talking about children, the elderly and mentally challenged citizens who are being abused by the people charged with caring for them. What is it going to take to make this a statewide priority and fix the problems?"

 (JEFFERSON CITY, MO) –    Today, Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee released an audit of the departments of Social Services (DSS), Mental Health (DMH) and Health and Senior Services (DHSS) – Protecting Clients from Abuse.  These departments have responsibility to protect clients who receive department services.

DSS policy and state law have not automatically precluded individuals with child abuse charges or criminal convictions from being employed at residential facilities. Instead, the decision of whether anything in a potential employee's background would prevent the individual from being employed at a facility is left to the discretion of the residential facility's executive director. Missouri is one of only a few states that do not disqualify individuals from employment at residential facilities based on criminal history.

Four DMH state-run facilities reviewed did not perform periodic criminal history and Central Registry checks of employees because DMH did not require it. Persons included on DSS's Central Registry have not been disqualified from employment at DMH facilities and providers. Our review disclosed 22 individuals who abused DMH clients also had prior substantiated child abuse or neglect incidents.  In addition, persons with histories of child abuse or neglect; stealing, theft, and forgery convictions; or pending charges for serious crimes have been permitted to work in DHSS licensed long-term care facilities. 

DHSS data disclosed delays in processing initial FCSR registrations. Auditors also found employers are not always required to conduct FCSR screenings for individuals required to register. When FCSR results show problems, potential employees are allowed to request a waiver.  Also, providers and facilities have not been required to conduct nationwide criminal background checks when hiring new employees. As a result, some persons with out-of-state criminal histories have worked for Missouri providers. 

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