OLYMPIA -- The state Department of Social and Health Services has stopped admissions to Living Hope Care Center, a boarding home located at 402 North J Street, Tacoma.

The boarding home is licensed to Joyce Adult Family Home LLC.

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 failure to:

• Develop appropriate interventions for seven residents.
• Ensure two caregivers completed mental health specialty training within 90 days of completing basic training. Residents with special needs due to a mental health disorder were at risk of not having their needs met due to inadequately trained staff. This is a repeat or uncorrected deficiency previously cited on the statement of deficiencies report dated April 18, 2008.
• Ensure safe smoking practices, placing residents at risk of burns. This is a repeat or uncorrected deficiency previously cited on November 16, 2007, with an amended date of November 27, 2007.

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

The provider has the right to contest the stop placement 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.