Families trust group homes to provide a safe, supervised, and supportive environment for their loved ones.
When something goes wrong, families expect two things: a fast investigation and a straight answer.
A recent hearing on February 19 in Trenton, NJ, showed why those expectations are not always met and why the state's oversight matters.
What happened at the Feb. 19 hearing
On Feb. 19, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Dr. Stephen Cha, the governor’s nominee to lead the New Jersey Department of Human Services, about how the state responds to abuse, neglect, and deaths involving people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The hearing followed reporting about 21-year-old Katie Moronski, who died two days after moving into a group home. A state investigation found neglect by the company, but did not conclude that the neglect caused her death.
Senator Kristin Corrado highlighted concerns that the investigation was opened months after the death and that the state’s final report and letter listed no consequences or penalties for violations of policy.
Quality improvement is not a substitute for accountability.
Cha said he could not discuss the Moronski matter because of a lawsuit filed by the family against the operator and its parent company. He did say the story broke his heart.
He also drew a distinction that families should take note of. Improving a system can help prevent the next tragedy, but it does not answer for the last one.
Continuing on, Cha described a public health example where a checklist reduced deadly hospital infections. His point was that the state needs both approaches: improvement to prevent repeat harm and accountability when failures happen.
Why families feel stuck: the transparency gap
One reason families struggle to get clarity is that much of the corrective work is not public.
The article reports that group homes are required to document actions and plans to prevent future occurrences, but plans of correction are not public. However, families can request certain documentation from group homes, such as records related to specific incidents, written summaries of actions taken, and incident reports. If you are unsure what you can request or how to access records, you can contact the group home administrator or the New Jersey Department of Human Services for guidance.
It also reports that the state denied records requests for incident trend reports. Trend data is how you spot patterns, such as repeated medication issues, repeated choking events, repeated injuries, or problems tied to specific staffing levels.
While official trend data may not always be available, families can take steps to track and identify patterns on their own. Keeping a personal log of incidents, changes in health, or concerns, along with dates, times, and staff present, can help reveal recurring issues over time.
Connecting with other families, such as through family councils, advocacy groups, or online forums, is another way to share observations and spot wider trends. By pooling what they see and experience, families can feel more empowered and be better prepared to raise concerns with group home administrators, state agencies, or elected officials.
Oversight failures and the “self-investigation” problem
Senator Michael Testa questioned Cha about the report detailing repeated oversight failures in the group home system.
The reporting referenced a series that documented serious problems, including a lack of basic care and preventable deaths.
A key point raised at the hearing is that most incidents are investigated by providers themselves. Corrado called that practice questionable, and the reporting cited that only a small percentage of incidents are investigated by the state.
New tools for DHS, and what still needs to change
Cha said laws passed late last year give DHS more tools to take enforcement action and improve the quality of care. One law allows DHS to fine providers when vulnerable residents in their care are harmed. The state must consider history or patterns of violations when deciding on fines.
Another law creates an advisory committee to review certain deaths and cases involving abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with a two-year timeline for its review.
Those steps may help, but they do not eliminate the basic concern families have: if most incidents are handled internally, families need confidence that reporting is accurate and that oversight is real. If a family is not satisfied with a provider's response to an incident, it is important to know how to escalate concerns.
Families can take the following steps:
1. Raise the issue with the group home administrator or director in writing.
2. If the response is unsatisfactory, file a formal complaint with the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Include dates, specific concerns, and any documentation.
3. For urgent concerns or if someone is at risk, contact the New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. This office is an independent advocate that can help investigate or resolve complaints.
4. Consider reaching out to advocacy groups that support families in similar situations. They may offer guidance or help in raising the issue with state agencies.
Making a record at each step is important. Keeping copies of emails, letters, and any responses will help if the issue needs to be reviewed by outside authorities.
Medication oversight is a practical risk, not an abstract policy debate.
The article notes that a bill requiring medication to be administered by a nurse, or by a certified medication aide supervised by a nurse, did not advance last year.
Corrado called for medical oversight of medication in every home. Families do not need to be clinicians to understand why this matters. Medication errors and poor supervision can cause immediate harm.
What families can do right now if something feels wrong
If you are worried about a loved one in a group home, it is normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and even alone. These situations are emotionally difficult for families and can feel isolating. Remember, you are not alone in facing these challenges. Focus on steps that protect the resident and preserve facts.
1) Keep a simple timeline. Dates, times, what changed, who you spoke with, and what you were told.
2) Request records in writing, especially after an injury, a medication event, a hospitalization, or a sudden decline.
3) Ask specific questions that require real answers: Who was working? Who administered medication? Who was responsible for supervision? What was done in response?
4) Pay attention if the explanation keeps changing or if the documentation does not match what you observed.
5) If there was an injury due to failures in care, get a legal review of the facts early. Accountability requires evidence, and evidence is easier to preserve sooner rather than later.
Better Call Schall®
Were you or a loved one a resident of a nursing home, assisted living, or group home and injured due to failures in care?
Better Call Schall® at 856-310-6782 or send a message through our contact form.
Important: Time limits apply. If this happened recently, contact us promptly.
This post is general information, not legal advice. If you have specific questions or need guidance about a situation involving a loved one in a group home, you are welcome to contact our office. We are here to listen and help you understand your options. You can also reach out to an experienced advocate or another trusted resource if you need support with your particular case.
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