The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "developmental centers" ...
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In Jennifer's Room
In August 2006, caregivers at the Sonoma Developmental Center found dark blue bruises shaped like handprints covering the breasts of a patient. Jennifer accused a staff member of molestation and her injuries appeared to be evidence of sexual abuse. Big projects often have smaller narratives within them that can be developed into standalone features that draw readers into the larger story. Clearly Jennifer’s story was one of those. Presenting this story in video format was particularly challenging because Jennifer and her mother did not want to be identified. We chose a graphic narrative approach, with a voice actor reading the transcript of the mother’s interview. The artist consulted photographs and diagrams of the Sonoma Developmental Center to ensure that the drawings were accurate.
Tags: Sexual abuse; crime; molestation
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Broken Shield: Police force fails to protect state’s most vulnerable residents
Decades ago, California created a special police force to investigate crimes and unexplained injuries inflicted upon some of society’s most vulnerable citizens – men and women with severe autism and cerebral palsy living in taxpayer-funded institutions. This police force, the Office of Protective Services, works exclusively at state developmental centers that have been the scene of horrific abuses. We sought to bring this story to readers in many forms, from working on all platforms, distributing condensed versions and delivering broadcast video stories to our partners, to creating a graphic novel video on one particularly human story -- a woman who was raped, apparently by a janitor. We also created an ebook of the series of stories and an interactive tracker that detailed key milestones of legislation drafted and signed into law. Producing this work on every platform helped to maximize audience reach and heighten the impact.
Tags: Autism; cerebral palsy; taxes; taxpayers; Office of Protective Services; abuse
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Broken Shield
Decades ago, California created a special police force to patrol exclusively at its five state developmental centers – taxpayer-funded institutions where patients with severe autism and cerebral palsy have been beaten, tortured and raped by staff members. But California Watch found that this state force, the Office of Protective Services, does an abysmal job bringing perpetrators to justice. Reporter Ryan Gabrielson, a Pulitzer Prize winner, exposed the depths of the abuse inside these developmental centers while showing how sworn officers and detectives wait too long to start investigations, fail to collect evidence and ignore key witnesses – leading to an alarming inability to solve crimes inflicted upon some of society’s most vulnerable citizens. Dozens of women were sexually assaulted inside state centers, but police investigators didn’t order “rape kits” to collect evidence, a standard law enforcement tool. Police waited so long to investigate one sexual assault that the staff janitor accused of rape fled the country, leaving behind a pregnant patient incapable of caring for a child. The police force’s inaction also allowed abusive caregivers to continue molesting patients – even after the department had evidence that could have stopped future assaults. Many of the victims chronicled by California Watch are so disabled they cannot utter a word. Gabrielson gave them a resounding voice. Our Broken Shield series prompted far-reaching change, including a criminal investigation, staff retraining and new laws – all intended to bring greater safeguards and accountability.
Tags: California; police; autism; cerebral palsy; abuse; children
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Money Pit/ Money Maker: Developmental Centers and the Medicaid Match
The series found that New York has kept open poorly run institutions for the developmentally disabled because it's Medicaid reimbursement rate is so lucrative. Residents are kept in locked beds in prison-like conditions though most are not convicted criminals.
Tags: disabled; institutions; developmentally disabled; locked beds; Medicaid
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California's Dirty Secret
The authors investigated environmental laws in California and Arizona that were making it possible for companies from CA to dump hazardous waste in AZ. The investigation also found that some of the dumping areas of hazardous waste were near to schools and day care centers. The authors also reviewed the developmental impact of hazardous waste in the environment can have on children.
Tags: Hazardous waste; environmental laws; dumping; schools; California; Arizona; developmental impact
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Someone to watch over me: How a flawed system fails the retarded and disabled
The Star-Ledger investigates the seven New Jersey state institutions for mentally retarded and autistic. The investigation uncovers a flawed system, struggling to meet the federal standards, and depicts dozens of helpless residents hurt by abuse and neglect. As New Jersey is one of the few states that still depend on large institutions, possible federal sanctions could cost the state millions in aid.
Tags: GAO report; group homes; developmental centers; deaths; understaffed; retarded; social workers; mentally retarded; developmentally disabled; state institutions; New Lisbon Developmental Center; Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services; inspection reports; database mapping project
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Cruel and Unusual: The New Castle Dilemma
The reporters investigated abuse at the New Castle State Developmental Center. The hidden cameras inside the facility revealed an almost casual approach to residents of the center. Employees caught by the cameras routinely assaulted residents in their care
Tags: VIDEOCLIP TAPE TRANSCRIPT physically challenged resident abuse handicapped
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No title (id: 5833)
Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald-Journal reports that rapes, assaults, drug overdoses and narcotics theft occur regularly in the Syracuse Developmental Center for the mentally retarded, June 9 - 12, 1988.
Tags: None
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No title (id: 2756)
Cincinnati Enquirer looks into group homes and developmental centers for the mentally retarded that are taking the place of larger institutions in Ohio; reporter finds some do a good job while others offer inadequate care, at times endangering the patients, Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 1984.
Tags: Garloch OH