On Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, Nikki Chinn, Residential Liaison for ACTION Ohio, partnered with the Juvenile Justice Coalition, the National Juvenile Justice Network, and Disability Rights Ohio to hold a joint meeting with Lori Criss, the Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.
The focus was on sharing the national report on Sequel facilities, and concerning patterns including seclusion, restraint, and failure of the grievance process.
Participants made three requests:
1. Transparency in the licensing process, with opportunities for public comment. Could ODMHAS publish the status of Sequel’s license, and of all facility licenses? Is there a way for youth/families to know if facilities are in good standing, or incidents (restraints, complaints, licensing actions, etc)?
2. Adequate investigation of residential treatment facilities, including unannounced visits.
3. Ensure Sequel can’t operate and continue to harm young people in Ohio. Sequel has a track record in Ohio and nationwide. What safeguards exist to prohibit them from being relicensed? How does OMHAS take the history of residential facilities into consideration with their licensure?
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