From KCUR Health News

About this Series An investigation by KCUR’s health reporter, Kelley Weiss, has found Missouri’s mental health system in crisis. In the first of a two part series KCUR reported on the chronic violations state records revealed in group homes for the mentally ill – including medication errors, lack of oversight, filthy conditions and mismanagement of residents’ funds. DHSS has also fined at least five facilities for resident deaths since 2004. In the second part of this series Weiss explored the impact of this broken system on law enforcement and the justice system.   STORY FIVE: THE FUTURE KANSAS CITY, MO (2007-10-02) In this final story, KCUR's Kelley Weiss looks at the future of mental health care and some of the plans to fix the broken system. READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE STORY

Mental Health Series: Story Four
FROM THE STREETS TO JAIL AND BACK AGAIN KANSAS CITY, MO (2007-10-01) While some residents leave group homes, it can be even worse on the outside. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports on how a broken system is making law enforcement take care of an increasing number of mentally ill on the streets and in jail. READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE STORY VIEW AN AUDIO SLIDESHOW

Mental Health Series: Story Three

LIVING IN SQUALOR KANSAS CITY, MO (2007-09-14) In the third story in our ongoing series KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports from inside a group home to give a window into daily life. READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE STORY State report - Resident death at Autumn View Gardens, St. Louis, Mo. (pdf) State report - Resident death at Mark Twain, Huntsville, Mo. (pdf) State report - Resident death at The Central Residence, St. Louis, Mo. (pdf) State report - Resident death at Kozy Korner, Hannibal, Mo. (pdf)

Mental Health Series: Story Two

WHO'S IN CHARGE? KANSAS CITY, MO (2007-09-13) KCUR has reported on the story of a woman who died in a group home near Kansas City three years ago as one tragic illustration of a mental health care system in crisis. In the second report in our series KCUR's Kelley Weiss looks at money mismanagement in group homes and who's responsible for watching over these facilities. READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE STORY State report - Money Mismanagement- Cedars of Liberty (pdf)

Mental Health Series: Story One

Diane Sue Class, died at age 62 in Superior Park Assisted Living in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Contributed Photo DEADLY NEGLECT KANSAS CITY, MO (2007-09-12) About 3,000 of Missouri's poor and mentally ill live in residential care facilities, or group homes. Records show state inspectors cite these facilities repeatedly for medication errors, money mismanagement, lack of staff and sometimes even preventable deaths. In one 2004 case, a woman collapsed in a group home near Kansas City and died after trained employees stood by without giving her first aid. READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE STORY State report of Diane Class's death (pdf) Police report of Diane Class's death (pdf) State penalty for Superior Park (pdf)