Public kept in dark about DSN controversy

Butch Kirven plans to hold a private meeting with officials about agency's financial difficulties

APRIL 12, 2012 1:18 p.m. (5)

Greenville County Council Chairman H.G. “Butch” Kirven has no plans to ask the troubled Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs board to appear before council anytime soon to explain the agency’s current financial difficulties, despite a growing chorus of demands from other council members that the board be called into account.

Since Kirven controls the agenda of the Committee of the Whole, it is not likely the meeting will be held anytime soon, Councilman Joe Dill told the Journal. “We intend to keep asking,” Dill said.

State Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Director Beverly A. H. Buscemi told the Journal Wednesday that her agency’s Internal Audit Department is in the process of conducting its own audit of the Greenville County DSN’s books.  Continue reading...

 

'Client H' investigation raises more troubling questions for DSN

Did Disabilities and Special Needs violations contribute to the death of a Greenville group home resident?

APRIL 19, 2012 10:42 a.m. (3)

Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs has been cited by state officials for violating the standard of care in the Feb. 11 death of Heather Dawn Worchester Lemon, 36, a resident at one of the agency’s group homes.

The citation came in a recertification review of the Civitan Community Residence and is detailed in a state Department of Health and Environmental Control report dated March 8. The report was made available to the Journal by sources close to the situation.  Continue reading...

 

Greenville DSN interim director cuts staff

Disabilities agency is attempting to bring spending under control

APRIL 26, 2012 12:01 p.m. (0)

Greenville Disabilities and Special Needs interim director Patrick Haddon plans to eliminate, or has eliminated, five positions at the troubled agency in an effort to save $203,433.20, documents provided to the Journal by a source close to the situation show.

Haddon did not return the Journal’s requests for an interview as of press time Wednesday.  Continue reading...