To the editor:

State Sen. Betty Little:

The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities has been dysfunctional for years, with no treatment being provided, and unspoken and inappropriate transfers to group and community homes the norm, without adequate preparation of consumers or staff.

As a former nurse from Sunmount’s sister CIT secure facility at Valley Ridge, the downward spiral in effective treatment followed the death at O.D. Heck of the young autistic boy. After that, effective treatment including classes, counseling, and good rapport with boundaries for behavior were no longer allowed, for fear of job loss or prosecution. My nursing documentation was directed to be “corrected” to make incidences appear to be benign when they weren’t. I will never work as a nurse again due to 100 percent disability caused by the resurgence of behaviors due to removal of boundaries. Revenue is the ONLY purpose in continuing this agency.

Not one representative has been interested in speaking with myself or other injured employees who truly DID desire, and were successful at, making some headway with our charges. I have recently provided Sen. Patrick Kennedy with my story regarding Valley Ridge in the hopes that this agency be called to task for non-performance and dereliction of duty to both consumers and staff.

Susan Donegan, RN

Norwich