Pontiac Times

LANSING, Mich. - Senator Michael Webber expressed his appreciation on Friday to the Office of Auditor General (OAG) for its decision to investigate the Office of Recipients Rights (ORR) and its handling of allegations at the Hawthorn Center and other state-run psychiatric hospitals. The investigation will be part of the OAG's 2024 audit cycle.

Webber, a Republican from Rochester Hills, highlighted his concerns regarding the management of the Hawthorn Center, stating, "The Department of Health and Human Services' management of the Hawthorn Center has become a serious concern." He believes that the state auditor's investigation will bring much-needed scrutiny and accountability to the facility. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that state-run facilities operate correctly and adhere to all appropriate policies and laws, in order to fulfill their duty to the young people and their families who depend on them.

The call for an investigation was made by Webber and other lawmakers in July, following testimonies from patients and families during a Protect MI Kids listening session in Rochester Hills. The incident that sparked the investigation involved a controversial emergency drill that took place at the Hawthorn Center in December 2022. Although the Michigan Attorney General's office decided not to pursue criminal charges in connection with the drill, families have expressed concerns about the panic and psychological trauma caused by the incident.

Webber has been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in the management of state-run psychiatric hospitals. He previously called for Senate committee hearings on the Hawthorn Center and has expressed his belief that there are systemic problems throughout these facilities that need to be addressed. He stated, "It is clear there are systemic problems throughout our state-run psychiatric hospitals, not just at Hawthorn, that require us to understand what is going wrong and be assured that state resources are being spent on helping our residents who need MDHHS services instead of legal fees and court settlements."

The announcement of the OAG investigation brings hope to families who have been concerned about the well-being of their loved ones in state care. It is a step towards ensuring that state resources are being used effectively to support those in need of mental health services.

Senator Webber's appreciation for the OAG's investigation reflects the growing demand for accountability and transparency in the management of state-run psychiatric hospitals. The investigation will shed light on the issues at the Hawthorn Center and other facilities, leading to improvements that will benefit patients and their families.