Garrett said in his statement that Reynolds is 'confident that Director Garcia and her team will take whatever action is necessary to provide quality and compassionate care to those relying on these essential services.' We take these issues very seriously, and we are prepared to have open and honest discussions about what changes may be needed.' 'We are learning more as the investigation unfolds, and we intend to fully cooperate and assist in any way we can with the investigation,' said Matt Highland, a spokesman for DHS. A spokesman said the departmentВ would conduct its own 'fact-finding effort' to determine 'what, if any, immediate actions are necessary prior to the conclusion of the DOJ investigation.' The Iowa Department of Human Services, the state agency that oversees both facilities, confirmed the investigation.

What prompted the investigation was not provided in the letter.В Iowa officials did not provide the Register with details about the incident or incidents that may have prompted the federal action. attorney general, said: 'We have not reached any conclusions about the subject matters of the investigation.' In its letter to the Iowa governor, Dreiband, the assistant U.S. State plans to cooperate with the federal government The department recommended 'remedial steps' for both facilities to improve their care, focused specifically on Woodward's excessive use of restraints, Glenwood's medical care and 'both facilities' psychiatric and psychological care and community placement programs,' according to Justice Department records. The Justice Department investigatedВ the institutions about 20 years ago. One staff member resigned as a result of the allegations.

Staff members at the Woodward institution were accused in 2017 of sexually and verbally abusing their patients. Seven of those deaths occurredВ in the first three months of 2019. Fourteen severely disabled residents died there between June 2018 and April 2019, according to a Register investigation.

Woodward, just northwest of Des Moines, provides care to 184 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and other related disabilities, according to the state.Д®mployees at Glenwood have repeatedly warned state officialsВ that medical care at the facilityВ has dangerously eroded. Glenwood, in southwest Iowa, provides care to about 250 individuals with intellectual disabilities, according to a state website. в–є More: 'Listening is the first goal': Director of Iowa's largest state agency outlines priorities DreibandВ told Reynolds thatВ its investigation will focus on whether the state engages 'in a pattern or practice of violating the federal rights of residents' at Glenwood 'by placing them at serious risk of harm.'ДЄccording to the letter, thatВ risk of harm at Glenwood potentially involves 'harmful and uncontrolled human subject experiments,' 'inadequate medical and nursing care, physical and nutritional management, and behavioral health care,' 'needless and harmful restraint practices,' and 'incidents causing needless physical injury.' 21 letter, obtained by the Des Moines Register, Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Kim Reynolds in a letter in late November that it was starting anВ investigation into treatment atВ the state-run Glenwood Resource CenterВ and the Woodward Resource Center. The federal government is investigatingВ two Iowa institutions that provide health care to people with disabilities, toВ determine ifВ patients' rights have been violated.

Glenwood sanitarium