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State official, provider outline steps after Foster residents raise safety and nuisance concerns at group home
Summary
State Division of Developmental Disabilities director Kevin Savage and Seven Hills vice president Dr. Marissa Ruff responded to resident complaints about a state-owned group home, describing building-responsibility, voluntary census reduction from five to four, increased onsite supervision, behavioral interventions, and planned window and interior work to reduce disturbances.
State officials and provider representatives attended the Foster Town Council meeting on March 12 to respond to a series of resident complaints about a state-owned group home on East Killingly Road.
Kevin Savage, director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, told council members the state owns the building and is responsible for repairs. He said he will work with the state facilities office to pursue more durable, code-compliant windows and other repairs. "Blown out windows are the responsibility of the state," Savage said, and he committed to working with the agency that manages state buildings to address recurring damage and safety concerns.
Dr. Marissa Ruff, vice president at Seven Hills Rhode Island, described steps the provider has already taken and additional measures planned. She said the home is licensed for five residents but that Seven Hills voluntarily reduced the census to four and has retained staffing levels to maintain closer supervision. The provider has added two on-site supervisors, kept clinical staff present, and instructed staff to walk residents at tracks or public paths or to transport them by vehicle when local sidewalks are unsafe. "We have voluntarily reduced that census to only have four residents in the home," Dr. Ruff said.
Seven Hills also described plans to improve interior layouts to add sound mitigation, relocate a dumpster farther back on the property, and landscape the lot this spring. The provider said it will continue recruitment efforts to reduce staff vacancies and expand on-site clinical support.
Residents raised concerns about repeated 911 calls, episodes of residents appearing on the street and removing clothing, and smashed windows. Council members and residents asked about nurse availability and whether the town could have input on future placements to ensure neighborhood fit. State and provider representatives said privacy rules limit what they can disclose but agreed to explore whether the town can be involved in placement discussions if legal clearances (HIPAA) and appropriate community representation are possible.
Officials asked residents to continue reporting incidents and said they are open to further community meetings to monitor progress as warm weather brings increased outdoor activity.
The council did not take a formal vote but recorded commitments by the state and provider to follow up on windows, staffing and community engagement.
