Sussex County outlines approach to Andover nursing home scandal

Newton – Sheriff Mike Strada and Sussex County Commissioner Board Director Anthony Fasano have outlined what will be the County’s approach to media reports on the dangerous conditions at the Woodland Behavioral Health facility (the former Andover Subacute II).

According to media reports, state health officials have suspended new admissions at a nursing home and it is now the subject of state monitoring. The facility is also facing the possibility of closure by the state.

According to Carol A. Novrit, the County’s Administrator for the Department of Health and Human Services, her office had no knowledge and was not made aware of the state Health

Department’s findings, reflected in a damaging report published last Thursday. The county has no statutory authority to regulate nursing homes and other long-term care facilities within its borders and must rely on the state to do so. Oversight of these facilities rests entirely with the Murphy Administration.

However, in the past, the state did turn to the county for help; for instance, when the county encouraged the nursing home to accept the SECOND, recent deployment of the National Guard (a result of state Health Department findings the County had learned about).

In light of these recent media reports, Sheriff Mike Strada is appealing to potential whistleblowers – residents, staff, and family members – to use his office’s Crime Stoppers Hotline to report any abuse or improper activity. The hotline’s telephone number is 973-300- CRIME. Reports can be filed online at www.sussexcountysheriff.com.

Sheriff Strada has been working with the New Jersey Attorney General’s office on possible incidents of fraud connected with this facility. Sheriff Strada will be forwarding details of the matter to the United States Attorney General’s office, as it appears that details of the matter may fall under their purview.

On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, Commissioner Director Fasano is requesting a briefing from the New Jersey Department of Health on the status of Woodland Behavioral Health (the former Andover Subacute II). The Board has also resubmitted Open Public Records Act requests for information on this facility and others in Sussex County. This is being done in preparation for a lawsuit against the Murphy administration, if the state Health Department fails to provide what is requested.

Director Fasano said, “the safety of our residents is the County’s tantamount concern and holding the state responsible to do its job is a top priority.” Sheriff Strada concluded, “our office will continue to be a resource for every Sussex County resident to root out actions or inaction that puts our family, friends and neighbors at risk.”