SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Westlake Home $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to prevent the abuse and sexual harassment of its residents by staff members. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 2090 W. Lake Drive in Carlyle.

Responding to a complaint, surveyors learned the facility did not, as required by Department rules and regulations, notify the Department after allegations were made by other staffers that an employee had displayed inappropriate behaviors toward residents.

Staff members told Department investigators that an employee was observed showing pornographic pictures to residents. The residents involved had histories of inappropriate sexual behaviors, sexual aggression or sexual abuse and have behavior management plans to addres these issues.

Surveyors also viewed a photograph taken of the employee, who had a history of exhibiting inappropriate behavior while on duty, mimicking a sexual act while a female resident was present. Facility staff also said they observed the employee pinning a resident to the wall, shoving a resident to the floor and pressing his body against a resident. All these incidents were reported to facility administration.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to immediately evaluate the care of its residents when there is credible evidence the resident has been abused and to conduct mandatory in-service training of staff on procedures to notify the Department in cases of abuse or neglect.

Westlake Home has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.