OLYMPIA – The state Department of Social and Health Services has stopped admissions to The Noble Home No. 2, a privately operated adult family home located at 1410 South 23rd Street, Tacoma.

The adult family home is licensed to Daniel and Bilinda Hunter.

The state took the action after finding numerous violations that jeopardized the safety and well-being of residents. The violations include but are not limited to the provider's failure to ensure that:

• Four residents' records were kept at the home. Staff had no way of knowing what care and services the residents needed.
• Four residents received ordered medical care. Twenty-four-hour staff was not available, medications were not distributed as ordered and one resident had no one to ensure that her medical equipment allowed her mobility and the least discomfort.
• Medication organizers used for four residents identified who the medications were for and the frequency of use and dosage.
• Resident medications were always kept in locked storage, including medications stored in the refrigerator.
• Residents were free of abuse, financial exploitation and involuntary seclusion.
• Two residents had access to professional individuals outside the home and were free of interference, coercion and reprisal from the home when attempting to exercise their rights. This failure prevented residents from being able to access their own department staff and medical care providers. In addition residents were unable to exercise their basic civil and legal rights to speak to case managers, licensors and other professionals without intimidation and threats.
• Four residents were given privacy to make and receive phone calls and speak openly to others about care and treatment concerns at the home without being fearful of retaliation.
• Resident rights were upheld. Two residents were told to leave the adult family home immediately without a written notice stating why they were being discharged and the location to where they were going. With no time to prepare for discharge, the residents were stressed and fearful.

While the home is in stop placement, licensee may not admit residents.

The provider has the right to contest the stop placement and revocation by requesting an administrative hearing within 28 days of state notification. Current residents may stay in the home. If a resident chooses to remain, DSHS will continue to monitor the home for resident safety.

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DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.