State schools get a surprise inspection

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A late-night visit from the Department of Aging and Disability Services executives surprised many state schools Wednesday night. The executives are trying to strengthen protections at facilities all over Texas after some controversial reports of abuse and neglect.

"We expect our employees to meet the highest standards of professional conduct no matter what time their shift is," said DADS Commissioner Addie Horn. "They are working in these individuals' homes. We have a 24/7 duty to protect some of the most vulnerable citizens of this state, and I want staff to know that the expectations at 2 a.m. are no different from the expectations at 2 p.m. If a worker sees something happen, knows something happened or hears a rumor that something happened, they are expected to report that immediately."

All 13 state schools received the surprise visit and supposedly these will not be the last of the impromptu checks. DADS also plans to install many video cameras to increase supervisor oversight of night shifts. They might also hire security guards. After the reports of the fight club at the Corpus Christi state school, the agency decided to suspend admissions to it.

"We will continue to take swift and immediate action when abuse and neglect is reported," Commissioner Horn wrote in a letter delivered to all state school staff. "Our consumers and their families are depending upon us to do the right thing for their loved ones."

A comprehensive investigation of the videotaped fight club as well as the other allegations of abuse and neglect is on-going.