Abuse, staff shortages still vex state-run Lubbock campus for Texans with mental disabilities

The state-run facility in Lubbock for people with mental disabilities, where outcries of shoddy care and exploitation sparked a federal investigation five years ago, still has big problems, an independent monitoring team reported today. Garrett reports. http://tinyurl.com/2ubrbgn

3 Texas agencies vow to reform following report on alleged abuse at veterans nursing homes

Action follows Drew's story last month:

AUSTIN – Three state agencies pledged Wednesday to improve responses to abuse allegations at nursing homes, after legislators raised pointed questions about safety and management at two state-owned facilities for veterans.

One of the main changes is for the state agency in charge of regulating nursing homes to offer annual training to law enforcement officers on how to investigate allegations of harm to the elderly.

The plans were revealed at two Senate committees hearings held Wednesday in response to an April Dallas Morning News report.
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State agency offers elder abuse training for Texas law officers

Jim Drew reports:


AUSTIN – The state agency in charge of regulating nursing homes wants to provide annual training to law enforcement officers on how to investigate elder abuse allegations, including those at state veterans' homes.

Officers need to have a "clear picture" of what agency officials do in responding to complaints of abuse and neglect and training in how to work together in those investigations, Chris Traylor, commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services, told a Senate committee Wednesday.


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