The Bad SLS Heath weblog is dedicated to documenting abuses and crimes at the Supervised Lifestyles facility. Supervised Lifestyles, based in Brewster, NY, has been accused of abusing patients, dishonesty, deceptive practices, illegal restraints, and much more. This blog is one of several forums meant to specifically expose the wrongs of the program and it's owner Al Bergman.
Monday, January 08, 2007
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22 comments:
The inmates are running the asylum! I' m an ex-member (a name given to clients at SLS) who suffered at the hands of these extremely sick "health care providers". My experience, as well as being a witness to the same kind of violations that SLS was fined for (but have yet to pay), and my subsequent report to OMH, calls into question the State of New Yorks ability to protect those who are disabled thier loved ones and families. Even after speaking with a team of laywers at OMH, there seems to be little consequense for this greedy corporation, as I had contact with members who were still there and being severly psychologically abused, as well as staff members who were psychologically torn as well physically battered trying to handle this mixed population. This organization that promises much and delivers little, is profit oriented, and seems to court clients whose families are frustrated and do not know how to adequetley deal with thier childs mental illness. There is little to no family involvement, other than a sick traingle set up between the client, their therapist and the parents or loved ones. These are things I witnessed first hand, and as much as the doctors and clinical staff tried to blame me for their neglect and unprofessional conduct, I refused to let them crush me or my spirit.
Anybody interested in writing a tell all book about SLS. i worked at SLS and have a lot information. Please let me know.
slsinformationhere@gmail.com
i am having trouble reading the blog, do i have to be invited? i just got a gmail acct thinking thats what i needed to no avail.
could someone email me at hss@joimail.com
i was at sls for 2 years and have lots to say...
i check my joimail acct more often that the google one(i really only got that so i could read the blog
thanks so much in advance!
hadley scott
hss@joimail.com
please let me in to see what you've said - I have a son there...
invite me in - please
I think that blog was pulled a year ago! But I have found recent articles on SLS Health. They were recently sanctioned by a Federal Judge for threatening former patients to not participate in the lawsuit. The State Office Of Mental Health also just revoked the companies licenses which they are appealing.
Sanctions:
http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/3964
State Revokes SLS Licenses:
http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080905/NEWS01/809050412/-1/newsfront
Federal Judge Blasts SLS Owners:
http://m.lohud.com/news.jsp?key=102298
Actual NY State Revocation Order:
http://www.heal-online.org/slsshutdown.pdf
More:
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809250455
http://www.heal-online.org/adult.htm
http://www.heal-online.org/slsclass.htm
If you have a son at this program you should be very concerned. This is the first resource I keep finding when I Google SLS Health:
http://aboutsls.blogspot.com/
If you ignore the comments and actually read the posts it's quite an astounding situation! This company is on many Civil Rights Group watch lists. It is also under intense investigation by several Government agencies.
Here are the NY State Findings:
http://aboutsls.blogspot.com/2008/04/omh-hearing-officer-finds-sls-guilty-of.html
A lot of new pro-SLS blogs have popped up in recent weeks - all operated by SLS employees and all quoting a blog called the Friends of SLS - which is filled with lies and propaganda. To read the facts about the OMH findings, the proceedings and lawsuits SLS is currently facing, simply direct your browser here: http://aboutsls.blogspot.com/
What is some of the newest information regarding SLS?
1.) SLS had a very short lived success when a Putnam County judge ordered a stay on the OMH actions. What they won't admit to the public is the following:
THE APPELLATE DIVISION WEIGHS IN
The Office of the New York State Attorney General, which represents OMH, filed a motion in the Appellate Division to bar enforcement of Justice O'Rourke's order until the Appellate Division has had an opportunity to review and decide the appeal.
Earlier today, at about the same time that SLS was updating its Friends site to trumpet Justice O'Rourke's decision, the Appellate Division issued an order which bars enforcement of Justice O'Rourke's order.
The next step is for SLS' lawyers to appear before the Appellate Division on December 18 to show cause (1) why the appeal should not be heard at this time and (2) why Justice O'Rourke's order should not be stayed (not enforced) until the Appellate Division has decided the appeal.
Technically, this means that the OMH revocation hearing can go forward.
More importantly, in my experience, the Appellate Division grants orders of this type only when it is has serious concerns about the order issued by the lower court. I think this bodes very well for the appeal.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to the OMH and Attorney General lawyers who worked so hard to present this emergency application to the Appellate Division. The names on the papers are David Lawrence III and Pamela Tindall O'Brian.
2.) CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT UPDATE
The lawyers appeared before Judge Robinson today.
Judge Robinson issued an order directing the parties and SLS' insurers to meet with a mediator to try to settle the case. He directed the parties to report back to him on February 8, 2009 regarding their progress.
The judge has not sent out the new class notices- he wants to wait to see if the parties have agreed to a settlement before sending out the new notices. If the case settles, the judge will send out new notices to all class members advising of the agreement. That way, they could decide if they want to join the case and accept the settlement or proceed against SLS on their own.
Of course, if the case does not settle, the new class notices will be sent out and the case would proceed.
3.) NEW LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST SLS, SANTORO, BERGMAN, PRICHARD, MOORE, STUMACHER AND OTHERS
In addition to the legal actions described in my Scorecard posts, we can add two more lawsuits.
According to the website of the New York State court system, SLS has been sued by the family of the woman who was murdered and decapitated by Evan Marshall.
The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Nassau County in July 2008. The defendants are Evan Marshall, the various SLS entities and the following SLS owners and employees: Joseph Santoro, Alfred Bergman, Mark. J. Stumacher, Shawn Prichard, Dave Moore, Linda Padroff, Lauren Miller, Kendra Kohut and Betsy Bergman. The court website does not provide the details of the complaint. I am certain that we will all be sickened and repulsed when we finally see the details.
In addition, SLS’ insurance company has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking a declaration that it is not obligated to provide coverage for the claims asserted in the lawsuit by the victim’s family.
If you or a loved one is considering sending a family member to SLS please consider the facts. The company will most likely be shut down at the beginning of 2009 and is considered DANGEROUS by State Authorities which is why the NY State Attorney General has now intervened against SLS' bogus lies and legal tactics.
THESE ARE THE FACTS REGARDING THE STATUS OF SLS HEALTH VS OMH AS OF MARCH 23, 2009:
1.) On or around December 3rd Justice O'Rourke from the Putnam County Supreme Court ordered that all fines and also ordered OMH would be barred from taking further regulatory action against SLS, including the revocation of SLS licenses. This was after him supposedly reviewing the over 3,498 pages of evidence in ONE NIGHT.
2.) On December 10 the NY State Attorney General filed a motion with the Appellate Division barring enforcement of Justice O'Rourke's order until the Appellate Division has had an opportunity to review and decide the appeal. This permitted the OMH Revocation hearing to move forward (and it did start on Jan 5, 2009). Also, the Appellate Division only grants orders of this type when it has serious concerns about the order issued by the lower court. In this case the fact that all of the evidence could not have been humanly possible to be reviewed in under 24 hours made Justice O'Rourke's order appear to be a "favor" to SLS.
3.) On December 23 the Appellate Division acted swiftly and issued an Emergency Stay of Justice O'Rourke's order. Justice O'Rourke's order was stayed, meaning not in effect, on the condition the NY Attorney General files its appellate brief on or before Jan. 22, 2009. This means the Appellate Division is fast-tracking the appeal.
4.) On Jan 19, 2009 the OMH Revocation Hearing started. SLS made a motion prior to the OMH Revocation Hearing on Jan 5,2009 to have the administrative judge recues himself since he oversaw the hearings regarding the fines and investigations. The motion was denied. SLS appealed this decision on Jan 14, 2009 to the OMH Commissioner. He rejected the appeal.
5.) On Jan 20, 2009 SLS commenced another lawsuit in front of Justice O'Rourke of Putnam County requesting to overrule the OMH Commissioners decision to allow the Administrative Judge to not recues himself from the Revocation Hearing. Justice O'Rourke DENIED SLS' request. The NY Attorney General also filed motion to dismiss SLS lawsuit as well as fil the Appeal Brief and the parties were due in court on Feb 10, 2009. The NY State Attorney General filed the following to the Appellate Court:
". Justice O'Rourke signed the order finding that Prof. Hutter's decision was not supported by the evidence one day after he received the 3, 498 page hearing transcript.
. Although SLS complains that OMH relied on hearsay (which is allowed in administrative hearings) it failed to mention that its expert, Dr. Samenow, relied on statements made by 14 unidentified SLS patients to him.
. SLS policy allowed restraints, euphemistically called Brief Safety Interventions, to last up to 45 minutes even though SLS' own expert testified that they should last no longer than 20 minutes due to the risks to the patient.
. In 2006, SLS restrained one-fourth of its residents.
. Santoro admitted that SLS would only call a physician "sometimes" after a patient was restrained; Dr. Stumacher, the in-house physician, testified that he was not summoned when restraints were used.
. SLS Clinical Director, Shawn Prichard admitted that he would monitor patients' phone calls to their families when in his opinion, they were lying about conditions at SLS.
. Among the many incidents that SLS was required to report to OMH- but did not-were the following: 1. A patient received 12 stitches at the community hospital after cutting her arm with glass. The hospital concluded she was suicidal and transferred her to a psych hospital. Betsey Bergman testified that SLS did not report this to OMH because they did not think the patient was suicidal. 2. A patient got violent, went to store, called 911 and said she was going to kill herself. SLS did not report this to OMH because they felt she was not suicidal.
. Betsey Bergman, who was in charge of Incident Reporting, had never heard of the regulations on incident reporting and had never conducted a special investigation into any incident.
. Matt Sena, SLS' Residential Director, did not know what constituted a reportable incident and was not familiar with the OMH regulations.
. Despite regulations requiring staff to be fingerprinted, 21 employees were not fingerprinted until months after they were hired. SLS admitted that these employees had regular and substantial contact with patients. "
6.) Feb 19, 2009 Justice O'Rourke to SLS "The Revocation Hearing will proceed" and granted OMH' motion to dismiss SLS' lawsuit regarding the recusal of the OMH Administrative Judge which was simply a delay tactic to begin with and never had merit.
7.) On Feb 23 it was discovered by Justice O'Rourke (the Judge SLS continuously lies to people that he supposedly granted them the big "Victory" of OMH) that SLS no longer had a medical doctor on staff which is an extremely serious regulatory violation. He also held that SLS improperly brought the case in Putnam County and ordered the venue changed to Albany County. He also stated that SLS is not entitled to any restraining orders or any injunctions. After SLS received the order changing venue and denying their request for an injunction, SLS filed a stipulation discontinuing the action. Oddly, they filed it in Putnam and specifically limited the discontinuance of action in Putnam, even though the case has been moved to Albany.
8.) On March 25 SLS and Roman/Morgan start Mediation in result of the Federal Judge ordering them to do so.
Summary: SLS lost it's appeal that it has been touting about since Jan. on two different websites with the sole purpose of misleading former and current members and the people who pay for treatment.
They have not had any "victory" and in fact are in a worsening situation. SLS is currently still participating in the OMH Revocation Hearing.
SLS employees including Joseph Santoro and Shawn Prichard were CAUGHT lying under oath. Al Bergman was caught trying to convince other programs to sign opt-out notices on behalf of former members, so as to ensure they never even knew the lawsuit existed.
Once the class action trial starts the REAL story will come out and everything discussed so far will be reinforced, proven and finally the former members can have the closure they deserve.
I remember the one time I was here and rob deletis, who is at blue sky now with a job, found a girl who was an alcoholic was drinking her her spray. He wrestled her to the ground with the help of others and put her in a chair for a few days with illegal restraints and made her just sit there to teach her a lesson. Not only was she humiliated but they wouldn't feed her, they only let her drink water. Aside from that rob and his pals like Matt Cena would chase down people who tried to runaway and they would take away their shoes and out them in restraints unimaginable in a locked room. I also remember several of the staff members beating up a retarded guy named John Grele, they would smack him over the head when he would go to hug people. I'll be calling blue sky in the morning to let them know about rob, and ill call them everyday and post reviews about rob on every single place i can until they get the idea that they shouldn't keep rob around. then wherever rob goes next, ill call and review again. Rob once ordered a driver to tackle me and assault me over some silly little incident. Rob, I'm coming for you pal. If you have stories please email me at slsnightmares@gmail.com
Wow, that's crazy. I was actually a client at SLS from October 2002 to April 2003. Everything was fine for the first month or two. When I went there, I was placed in a smaller house close to a big parking lot. Two weeks later, I was moved to another house across the driveway which was like 20-30 feet away from the counseling house. A few weeks later, I was moved to a section of houses over on Carmel St. known as the 100s and 200s. I went to the 100s first for like 2 weeks, and then I moved to the 200s. Then the staff there started showing their true colors. I was constantly tormented by a supervisor named Corey, a skinny white guy named Zack, a jock with glasses named Gabe, and a tiny small, short haired woman named Kim. I was also sexually harassed by a woman named Pam. The doctor I had prescribed me an anti-psychotic (Seroquel) due to me being diagnosed with Bi-Polar. A week after it was prescribed, my muscles started to twitch like crazy. I brought this to the doctor’s attention, and his response was "it's lack of potassium and has nothing to do with the medicine”. I looked it up in a medicine book and on the Internet and it turns out that it was because of the medicine. I refused to take my meds because of this and I made the staff aware of the reason why. I was taken to a seclusion room by Corey and another guy. That was when Corey threatened me and said”take your meds or else”. I told him I wasn’t going to take them and he started walking towards me with clenched fists. At that point I got up and prepared to protect myself, but was immediately restrained by the other guy. The next day, I talked to my counselor and explained the situation to him. He didn’t believe me and said I was lying. He swore up and down that I had another disorder, other than Bi-Polar, and he suggested that I had Schizophrenia because it sounded like a delusion. He told me he was going to look into having me taken to a psychiatric hospital for three days to have me evaluated. When he said that, I told him I wanted to be discharged immediately and he said I wasn’t going anywhere. I advised him of my rights and he told me I had no rights while I was there. From that moment on, I decided I was going to show my a** to get kicked out of there. Needless to say, that worked and I was gone in a month. I moved to Jamestown, NY for three months, and then I moved to Buffalo and was taken off of meds. Now, I am living back in Jamestown. I have a beautiful family, I own two companies, I am still not taking any meds, and it turns out that I never should have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar. SLS health abused, neglected, and wrongfully diagnosed and medicated me. I am very happy that place closed. To the person wanting to write a book about that place, I know that it has been nearly four years since that post will be more than willing to help you. Please email me at shanerico54@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Shane-Rico
Wow, that's crazy. I was actually a client at SLS from October 2002 to April 2003. Everything was fine for the first month or two. When I went there, I was placed in a smaller house close to a big parking lot. Two weeks later, I was moved to another house across the driveway which was like 20-30 feet away from the counseling house. A few weeks later, I was moved to a section of houses over on Carmel St. known as the 100s and 200s. I went to the 100s first for like 2 weeks, and then I moved to the 200s. Then the staff there started showing their true colors. I was constantly tormented by a supervisor named Corey, a skinny white guy named Zack, a jock with glasses named Gabe, and a tiny small, short haired woman named Kim. I was also sexually harassed by a woman named Pam. The doctor I had prescribed me an anti-psychotic (Seroquel) due to me being diagnosed with Bi-Polar. A week after it was prescribed, my muscles started to twitch like crazy. I brought this to the doctor’s attention, and his response was "it's lack of potassium and has nothing to do with the medicine”. I looked it up in a medicine book and on the Internet and it turns out that it was because of the medicine. I refused to take my meds because of this and I made the staff aware of the reason why. I was taken to a seclusion room by Corey and another guy. That was when Corey threatened me and said”take your meds or else”. I told him I wasn’t going to take them and he started walking towards me with clenched fists. At that point I got up and prepared to protect myself, but was immediately restrained by the other guy. The next day, I talked to my counselor and explained the situation to him. He didn’t believe me and said I was lying. He swore up and down that I had another disorder, other than Bi-Polar, and he suggested that I had Schizophrenia because it sounded like a delusion. He told me he was going to look into having me taken to a psychiatric hospital for three days to have me evaluated. When he said that, I told him I wanted to be discharged immediately and he said I wasn’t going anywhere. I advised him of my rights and he told me I had no rights while I was there. From that moment on, I decided I was going to show my a** to get kicked out of there. Needless to say, that worked and I was gone in a month. I moved to Jamestown, NY for three months, and then I moved to Buffalo and was taken off of meds. Now, I am living back in Jamestown. I have a beautiful family, I own two companies, I am still not taking any meds, and it turns out that I never should have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar. SLS health abused, neglected, and wrongfully diagnosed and medicated me. I am very happy that place closed. To the person wanting to write a book about that place, I know that it has been nearly four years since that post will be more than willing to help you. Please email me at shanerico54@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Shane-Rico
I was a patient at SLS for PTSD was severely traumatized there!!! I would do anything and everything to expose the harsh treatment and psychological abuse and already traumatized person was exposed to feel free to e-mail me at Liz.lbigirl@gmail.com!!! Thanks alot for being so open to expose them as a former staff member... Kudos....
I am a former patient who was psychically abused as well as psychologically and put in restraints phone calls were monitered of course they never really let my family in on what was going on...ETC... I was there for PTSD now I have one of the worst cases of PTSD any therapist has ever seen... Please contact me cell # 609-707-6882!!! E-mail Liz.lbigirl@gmail.com.... I know I am not alone now... My parents even called the state to report them and the state of N.Y. called them back and told them what a great place it was... Such a joke... R Joe Santoro and Al Bergmen in prison now? Linda Padroff was an assholes too.. Glad ur out... Its over now their shut down...
@Alison, hopefully this finds you and your son well. I was a "patient" at SLS for three years. I experienced atrocities that I still have nightmares about. I was a professional when committed against my will by another person who paid to keep me there. If your son still happens to be there, Move Him. He will not be helped, will be neglected at the least and hurt at the most. The entire philosophy is based on punishment, mocking, embarrassing, belittling and ignoring patients unless they "cooperate". Cooperate can be defined by whatever staff member is working and what that person wants done for him or her. I cannot stress enough that this is a horrible place. They put on a show when people come for a visit. Patients are dressed nicely, showered...the ones that are not are kept out of sight. Look a little closer and you will see the dirt right under the surface. I, actually, feel better and bit more validated finding this blog. Thank you all for sharing.
It is really informative and quality of the content is extraordinary.
Great piece of writing, I really liked the way you highlighted some really important and significant points. Thanks indeed.
Health Store Ireland
Great news - SLS has settled the case - which sounds like an admission of guilt to me! I think that this is just the beginning of more punishments against these thugs.
I was there in 1996. I was 16 at the time, the youngest to have be there. I see not much has changed. John Grele was there when I was there too and got severly abused. I had Rob Deletis as a therapist. There was a supervisor named Dexter who was extremely abusive. I was put (carried) into the ITR (time out room) for eating off of my diet. I was locked in there and had to watch relax videos. I was only there for 4 months thankfully! In my opinion, I was 16 and should never have been put in an adult facility. I am 34 now.
I was a patient as well they al Bergman convinced a New York City (Queens) district attorney that being in the care of sls would be a great prison alternative what a joke I was heavily drugged restrained and abused for refusing my medication I actually escaped this facility and was brought back by nypd I have a lot to say if anyone wants to hear the crazy things they really had me do for them behind closed doors in exchange for the fake Monopoly money and better treatment as far as visits food ect feel free to contact me at flipmillz718@yahoo.com I also keep in contact with other staff members who have a whole lot to say
I have plenty to say I don't really want to go into to many details but I'm sure they would not want me to tell my secrets al Bergman was able to convince a New York City district attorney that supervised lifestyles would be a perfect prison alternative my story is long but real if any of you where there the same time I was in sure you'll remember me
Stop
The clientele they came to as well as most of you were from DCF court order or something like that nobody cares anymore I'm sorry I don't give a shit stop complaining you don't know what it's like to live through this type a stop for a long by the time you are as if you were here for like less than a year you're pathetic you don't know anything sewer you want get all the money you want to roll be recovered I'm paying back SLS I like
Speak of the famous carriage house I'm guessing that's was for the crazy people that's why you probably should still be have a nice day Shane have a nice day go backdid the carriage house why don't you break some more confidentiality laws you know what nobody cares anymore I'm sorry I came here a few years after you were here I know all about you all the staff were talking about you this is your crazy motherfucker and I've oh I believe it
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