S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs' Process to Protect Consumers from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Administrative Issues, and a Follow Up to Our 2008 Audit
June 2014
Members of the General Assembly asked the Legislative Audit Council to conduct an audit of the S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN). Our audit focused on abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE) of consumers, procurement, and eligibility. In December 2008, we published A Review of the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs and made 63 recommendations. We also were asked to follow up on those recommendations.
DDSN serves approximately 13,000 consumers in its residential community settings, day programs, and residential institutions. The audit team conducted site visits at DDSN facilities of 9 providers, representing 1,738 consumers. We chose these facilities based on:
• ANE reports and dispositions from the last two fiscal years.
• Interested party letters and calls.
• Survey interviews.
• Media coverage related to ANE and consumer activities at day programs.
• Geography.