OLYMPIA -- No new children will be admitted to a group of licensed family homes that serve autistic children until health, safety and licensing concerns can be investigated by the state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), which licenses the Lake Forest homes.

The stop placement order became effective Thursday, April 20. DSHS prepared a safety plan for Fodor Homes to address the health and safety needs of the children living in the homes until the allegations have been fully investigated. The nine homes serve 29 autistic children and are operated by Susan Fodor.

"Some serious issues have been brought to our attention, but we believe children currently in the home are not at imminent risk of serious harm," said Mike Tornquist, DSHS administrator of the Division of Licensed Resources (DLR). DLR licenses group homes and foster homes and investigates allegations that licensing violations or abuse or neglect has occurred in those homes.

Because of confidentiality laws, DSHS can not release information about the allegations until the investigation is completed and official findings are made. However, Tornquist said the allegations are in the areas of staffing levels, meal compliance and safety preparation such as fire drills.

The department has required Fodor to immediately comply with the safety plans for children and DSHS staff have been at the nine homes daily to ensure that the safety plan is implemented.

Parents and caregivers were notified today about the stop placement order.

"Fodor homes provide a valuable service to a very difficult group of children," Tornquist said. "We will work with the provider to bring the homes back into compliance."