HHS Response to "The Ashley Treatment"

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

May 30, 2007

Kelly Buckland, President
John Lancaster, Executive Director
National Council on Independent Living
1710 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Mr. Buckland and Mr. Lancaster:

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Office of the Assistant Secretary, Suite 600
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W. — -
Washington, D.C.  20447

Secretary Leavitt has asked me to thank you for your letter expressing concern about the disabled nine-year-old child known as Ashley X. We agree that the well-being of children with disabilities is of paramount importance.

Secretary Leavitt uses a 500-Day Plan as a management tool to guide our Department’s energies in fulfilling the President’s vision of a healthier and more hopeful America. In that plan, the Secretary has a section called “Protect Life, Family and Human Dignity,” which includes priorities that “Children are protected from abuse and neglect” and “Seniors and persons with disabilities are cared for with dignity and respect.” Children with developmental disabilities, including Ashley, are human beings with inherent human dignity, and they are due all the rights and respect that come with that status.

That is why the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration on Developmental Disabilities within the Administration for Children and Families, funds 57 protection and advocacy (P&A) systems in the states and territories to protect the civil and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities. The Washington Protection and Advocacy System opened an investigation in January 2007 into the “Ashley Treatment” interventions and the role of Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. On Tuesday, May 8, 2007, the P&A released the findings of that investigation. You may view the findings and entire report on the Washington P&A website ( http://www.disabilityrightswa.org/news- 1/ashley-treatment- investigation).

I hope this information is helpful to you. Please call me if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

See Original for Signature

Daniel C. Schneider Acting Assistant Secretary
for Children and Families