Iowa’s Boys State Training School Accused Failing to Provide Adequate Mental Health Care

1050
SHARE

Iowa’s Boys State Training School is a facility managed by the state. According to Iowa Department of Human Services, the goal of the school is to provide boys who are between the ages of 12 and 18 with a structured treatment setting, uses individual care plans, offers academics, and helps the youth prepare to re-enter society. Their website further states that they provide several services including, but not limited to, helping youth learn how to make better decisions, substance abuse classes, sexual abuse recovery programs, and mental health care.

However, Iowa Boys State Training School was named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit that alleges the school doesn’t provide mental health care as it should. Instead, the lawsuit alleges that the boys in the school are often given powerful and “dangerous” medications without appropriate oversight or consent.

Discipline Through Medication?

The federal lawsuit was filed by Disability Rights Iowa and Children’s Rights. Disability Rights Iowa defends the legal rights of people with various disabilities, including mental health problems. Children’s Rights is a “watchdog” group whose purpose, according to their website, is to hold the government accountable to keep children safe.