Department of Health
Office of Children and Family Services

Oversight of Adult Care Facilities

The Department of Health oversees adult care facilities that provide non-medical residential care to five or more adults who are unable to live independently. Smaller facilities, called family-type homes, are overseen by the Office of Children and Family Services. Both types of facility must be licensed and inspected periodically by their supervising agencies. We sought to determine whether the facilities are being monitored effectively through these licensing and inspection processes and the investigation of complaints.

We found that the agencies should improve their oversight by identifying unlicensed facilities, verifying information provided by license applicants, and monitoring the quality of facility inspections and complaint investigations more closely. Neither agency tries to identify unlicensed facilities or conducts a prompt investigation when an unlicensed operation is brought to their attention. Facilities overseen by the Department are not always inspected within the required intervals; and many required inspection activities are not documented adequately. We also found some slow responses to complaints and delays in actions against operators who violate laws and regulations.

For a complete copy of Report 98-S-60 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.
For a copy of the associated DOH follow-up report click here.
For a copy of the associated OCFS follow-up report click here.