BLUEBONNET HAVEN HAS RECEIVED INITIAL LICENSE TO OPERATE
Over 100 officials and citizens learned Tuesday night at a town hall meeting in Brenham that the Bluebonnet Haven Youth Treatment Facility has already received a license to operate.
According to Jean Shaw, Associate Commissioner for Children’s Licensing with the state Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the facility was granted an initial license in mid-October. An initial license is given to an entity that is new to serving children, which is good for six months.
Shaw said, once the facility begins serving children, the HHSC will observe and make sure it is in compliance with rules. If the state cannot determine it to be, they can grant a reviewed initial license for an additional six months. If the facility is not in compliance by then, the state will have to decide on not issuing the license.
Shaw explained that the state has to move forward with the licensing process, and there is “nothing at this point that will stop that license from proceeding”.
Washington County Commissioner Joy Fuchs expressed disappointment with the news, calling it “really disheartening”. She felt the state seemingly ignored each local government’s resolution, asking the state for more time.
Incoming County Judge John Durrenburger added that each of those resolutions passed unanimously. He said the state needs to realize that locally elected officials have heard from the people, and the people are in opposition.
Several people in attendance questioned the track record of Bluebonnet Haven owner Randall Bryant, citing the troubles at Five Oaks Achievement Center in New Ulm and Prairie Harbor in Wallis. Shaw said to keep in mind that Bryant is not the only one running the facility, and is not the actual licensed administrator there. When asked who was, she cited Rachel Blankenburg, who is the Executive Director of the facility. No Bluebonnet Haven representatives were at the meeting.
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst was unable to attend the meeting, but provided a written statement which was read by County Judge John Brieden. The statement read that Kolkhorst would be working to reform how residential treatment centers are licensed and regulated in the state. She said citizens of Brenham and Washington County were not afforded a state-required meeting. Shaw acknowledged this was because the facility intends to care for victims of human trafficking, and state law does not require a public hearing process.
Bill Neinast came forward, asking about potential avenues government officials could take to slow down this process. He stated the possibility of getting an administrative review by filing a complaint with the agency that issued the license, stating lack of proper notice. Neinast said, if that were denied, an appeal could be made to the state office for a hearing. Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken responded, saying it would be an uphill battle, but it’s something worth looking into.