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Oversight problems hampered shelter Investigators' notes show staff, reporting problems contributed to Talent youth facility's closure By JONEL ALECCIA Criminal sex abuse allegations against two supervisors weren't the sole reason for closure of a Community Works youth shelter in April, newly released notes reveal. A team of state and county investigators also discovered staffing, supervision and reporting problems so severe that they concluded the Medford social service agency was incapable of continuing the program. "We were looking at Community Works' capacity to provide safe, effective care for kids," said Mark Orndoff, Jackson County deputy health director and one of the team members. Results of a two-day review conducted April 12 and 13 revealed undertrained, overworked staff; failure to document serious incidents, including reports of sexual abuse; and little confidence that Community Works' top management would address the issues. "Who is in charge? HR/Lawyers/Arnie?" said notes obtained through a public records request by the Mail Tribune. They refer to Arnie Green, executive director of the agency. The notes are the only record of the April evaluation of the Youth Diagnostic Shelter, conducted by Orndoff, Deputy Community Justice Director Carl Erickson and Brian Scott, a representative for the state Department of Human Services' child protective agency. The investigation led to the immediate closure of the Talent shelter and the removal of nine young people in custody. It also influenced Jackson County's decision to take over operations of the youth shelter, which serves some 300 at-risk clients each year. "I think what happened is, there was an expected level of care and an expected level of services," said Erickson. "It wasn't just that we walked in and it was a circus, but it became very apparent that what we expected and what we were getting were very different things." Green did not return calls seeking comment Monday. The investigation came six months after the shelter received a cautious but positive review from the Oregon Youth Authority, which contracts for care. The October 2000 review noted previous problems with high turnover and program instability, but concluded that existing staff had laid "an excellent foundation" for improved service. Debbie Rios, local program manager for OYA, said it's unfair to compare the two reports, which monitored different times. Supervisors accused of abuse weren't employed at the shelter when the October report concluded. "They felt that the two managers in October had good knowledge and were stable," she said. "I've been in this business for 20 years and I've seen where you can have one or two staff or one or two people turn a program upside down." None of the investigation team members would discuss specific findings publicly, but notes taken by Orndoff revealed several concerns, including cursory criminal background checks, "lack of experienced staff" and "inability to adequately manage/supervise youth." One staff supervisor, Adam Woogmaster, was accused of yelling at kids, leaving early when covering shifts, not documenting evaluations and not following or knowing policies for issues such as suicidal youth and room checks. Woogmaster's criminal history included citations for assault, inciting a riot, discharging a firearm, possession of marijuana and driving under the influence of alcohol, notes said. Unsafe working conditions were also a problem, the notes indicated, including routine 16- to 20-hour shifts worked by Lee Myers, a program manager who allegedly knew about and failed to report the sexual abuse incidents in a timely manner. Asked why she ignored mandatory reporting requirements, Myers replied: "I screwed up," the notes said. Program Director Nola Hale had "a complete lack of knowledge regarding the program," Orndoff's notes indicated. Moreover, she had no role in helping the shelter restore order after two supervisors were accused of sexually abusing clients. Asked "How can you ensure that this does not happen again?" the notes indicate that Hale replied: "I have no authority, can't do anything at all." Woogmaster, Hale and Myers no longer work for Community Works. Hale declined comment Monday. Myers could not be reached. Woogmaster disputed accusations against him and said that shelter workers tried hard to change the lives of troubled kids. "In general, the shelter did a very good job," said Woogmaster. "I think the state's choice to remove those children so fast was abusive to the kids. I don't think there was any question that the kids were safe at that time." The audit was sparked by notice of lawsuits filed by two teenagers who claimed two shelter supervisors had sexually abused them. One supervisor, Desiree Seiver, 22, of Central Point, pleaded guilty to felony charges she had sex with clients as young as 15. Another supervisor, Wayne Gatrel, 43, of Medford, awaits trial on 14 charges, including a dozen sex crimes, in March. Starting in January, Jackson County will pay more than $130,000 a year in general funds to operate the shelter, which eventually will move into the county's new juvenile center. In the meantime, the existing site will be outfitted with security cameras, alarm systems and a new layout, said Erickson. Staff will include trained, experienced - and better paid - juvenile detention workers. "We just figured there's a priority to helping kids," he said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.