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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan office responsible for licensing and inspecting adult foster care facilities and homes for the elderly has frequently failed to conduct inspections on time, enforce employee background checks and pass along allegations of abuse or neglect, according to an audit released Tuesday.
The audit found the Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged Licensing Division's inspections occurred an average of three months late for 85 percent of sampled cases.
The audit also found the division didn't consistently notify Adult Protective Services after receiving complaints of abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents. It says there was no notification in 25 percent of sampled complaints.
Among several other findings in the audit, the division did not always enforce rules such as timely background checks for employees. In one case, an employee who should have been disqualified from working at a facility by a background check worked there for more than two years.
The division was recently transferred to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which agreed with the audit's findings and made several changes as a result.
Department spokesman Michael Loepp said the division is working to ensure timely inspections and investigations.
"These and others changes will ensure the protection of all residents including vulnerable adults receiving care from licensed adult foster care and home for the aged facilities by making our inspection and investigation processes more efficient while improving the quality of service of these facilities," Loepp said.
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