Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc. (ACTS)

Vivian Paulino

They called me for a job post and in few words I didn’t get the chance for an interview because I was not a US citizen and I only had one year living in the US. They only called me to ask me where “Santo Domingo” was located and if I have worked in the US before and anything about my job experience or studies. I felt really discriminated and upset because they came to the conclusion that since I’m a foreigner I’m not capable of working in a decent job? I should be reporting you to the competent authorities regarding this.

Zu Dez

Initially everything was fine my therapist Kirk Murdoch advise me I was there due to marijuana, stated I had to do four weeks of therapy minimum a weekly group and two NA meetings. For three weeks I saw him and provide prescription records as per his request during a therapy appointment. I emailed him copies of all my prescriptions and he said that would suffice. I also provided my Medical cannabis card. On every weekly therapy visit I advised him I was looking into the any classes and there was an understanding that I would complete two classes within the four weeks of therapy. Kirk never asked for an NA log nor discussed two weekly NA meetings for the entire history of our short-lived therapy patient relationship. On my fourth week I came in a little concerned because I had run out of things to talk about. Kirk met with me upon my arrival and said “ we believe a female therapist would benefit you more” What happened next was it emotional torture. I’m at my new therapist Michelle. She started from scratch – she asked me about my history and she stated I was noncompliant. It shocked me I asked her why. She quickly said I didn’t keep my appointments and I wasn’t consistent with therapy. I was in shock, This was not true. I asked her if the three weeks I had already completed were still accounted for (it seemed like an intake all over again). She said no, we were starting over. I requested to speak to her supervisor. Denise came into the room and begin to speculate stating I failed my Drug Test – That was the first time I heard that one. She then retracted the statement and said she wasn’t exactly sure why, so when I asked about Michelle stating I didn’t keep my appointments, she started to huff puff smirk and suck her teeth. She then completely denied having mentioned my appointments. At this point it was apparent that my intelligence was being tested. Now they were marking me noncompliant for reasons that have yet to be explained to me. Kirk Murdock also failed to take my prescription bottles and take pill counts which was held against me apparently. I filled out this grievance form, it was motivated due to Kirks excuse to replace my therapist with a female instead of facing his errors. **update** Kirk testified in court that he marked me as having substance abuse issues because I am prescribed narcotics. That was the one and only reason (as per his testimony) Obviously I won the motion to reunify. I don’t know if he realized how bad he embarrassed himself.

Deborah Katosh

I worked for Acts Adult Addiction Receiving Facility and while I was there the things that were done were beyond unbelievable. I worked as a counselor/systems navigator. I was told I would be working a straight 8 hours meaning you do not get a break. I was not allowed to leave the facility once I got there. I was told by the Program Director I could not leave the building until another counselor came in. I had a lot of responsibilities during the day shift, more than any other shift. I was not only responsible for meeting with at least two clients a day to do assessments, I was also responsible for doing any follow up calls for the evening counselors to set up aftercare for their patients, I was also responsible for setting up the day for the other counselors, discharging patients that were scheduled to be discharged for that day, facilitating a group session for the patients, closing out discharges not only in Acts system but also in Central Florida Behavioral Network system, if there was a group coming in for a tour I was responsible for doing the tours, I had to meet with the doctor on a daily basis to go over treatment plans, and I was responsible for making sure the clients were provided the assessment forms needed. There were times when I was overwhelmed and when I would say something to the clinical director I was told to manage my time more wisely. If I ever got upset with something at work or the way I was being talked to by the Clinical Director I was chastised and told it was just the way I was perceiving things and I needed to change the way I saw things. I was repeatedly called out by the Clinical Director not only in front of patients but other staff members. When I asked to take vacation I was told by the Clinical Director that I could not take the time off and she would tell me when I could take my time off. She told me I could take a day off here or there but it would be at her discretion. I brought the problem to the Program Director and was told the Clinical Director was right. I was I was constantly asked to work overtime by the Clinical Director and then would be chastised for working overtime. Finally, I was bullied so many times by the Clinical director it became unhealthy for me to work there, I felt I was being discriminated against, and it became a hostile environment. No one should ever be made to feel like they are being discriminated against or bullied while they are at work.

OopsWrgHole

1. Residents are getting screened for Drug use through urine dipsticks, upon receiving positive results , residents are disputing the results however staff and probation services are denying them confirmation tests. Per the courts upon a positive result you have a right to a GC/MS confirmation screening to ensure accurate results. These residents are being denied this right 2. “Acts” has stated they hold urines for an extended amount of time and have shown in lab results, they (ACTS) test 30 days after collection. Per Quest and Labcorps (reputable licensed labs) This can degrade the specimen. 3. “ACTS” Has been unable to show or provide a legit outside laboratory when records requests have been sent. We were given the department of health address and CLIA information (the department of health confirmed they do not run drug screens. Per reps at American Clinical solutions the Lab Records of these Residents look to be a template made “inhouse” and do not represent a legitimate lab result record. Further confirming that Confirmations are not done and that these results are nothing more than mishandled dipsticks handled by (administrative staff not clinical staff) 4. Upon “positive results” this allows the staff to justify extend stays in the program, recommend residents to their outpatient programs and their sober living facilities after completion for these government funded or insurance patients. Or sent to jail at almost completion “then referred to their other facilities by the staff which probation and judges take strong consideration on staffs recommendation. 5. Residents have confirmed that administrative staff distribute medications, not clinical staff. 6. The residents feel unsafe doors are always unlocked people can come and go as they please even non-residents. This covers only the top concerns however if this facility is investigated further im sure there are more will be found. Please contact me as nobody is doing anything to fix this fraudulent unjust facility.