9/5/10
For several months, uniformed agents from a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) created by our county have been conducting unannounced raids on homes; harassing and intimidating elderly, blind and disabled citizens; and arbitrarily cutting people’s homecare services.Agents – some wearing bulletproof vests – have confronted people with walkers and in wheelchairs.
Two reportedly demanded to see an elderly woman’s underwear drawer. Two others forced an 85 year old woman with severe arthritis to try to lift her arm over her head (she couldn’t do it).Several people were so traumatized by these raids that they were subsequently hospitalized.
To make matters worse, SIU agents have claimed that many of these people are guilty of “fraud” against the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program and have arbitrarily reduced their homecare service hours.
Administrative law judges have already overturned some of these reductions because of lack of evidence or improper procedures. Many others are being appealed.Despite this, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors has voted to spend more taxpayer dollars on SIU because of its “success”.
We think the supervisors should be ashamed of what is being done in our county’s name by SIU. The threats, harassment and punitive actions by these agents are among the worst reported anywhere in California.Any fraud in IHSS or any other public program is wrong and should be investigated and punished.
But it is also true that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty – except, it seems, here in Stanislaus CountyContact your county supervisor today:*
District 1 – Supervisor O’Brien phone: 525-4440; e-mail obrienw@stancounty.com
*District 2 – Supervisor Chiesa phone: 525-6440; email: vito.chiesa@stancounty.com
*District 3 – Supervisor Grover phone: 525-6560; email: groverj@stancounty.com
*District 4 – Supervisor Monteith phone: 525-4445; email: monteithd@stancounty.com
*District 5 – Supervisor DeMartini phone: 525-4470: e-mail: demartinij@stancounty.com
Tell him to stop this abuse of the elderly and disabled. Instead of supporting false accusations of fraud and condoning harassment and intimidation, he should be finding ways to improve the quality of care for all our citizens
