Cannon Falls adult foster homes appeal to state for loss of licenses

Talk about it

CANNON FALLS, Minn. - Two Cannon Falls adult foster homes are appealing the Minnesota Commissioner of Human Services’ decision to revoke their foster care licenses.

The View II and the View III, located at 315 and 319 Larkspur Lane, filed an appeal in the Minnesota Court of Appeals Dec. 18.

“We believe the commissioner's decision would benefit from an independent, unbiased and prudent review by the Minnesota Court of Appeals," Leon Hanson, an owner of the homes, said in a statement Jan. 4.

The foster care licenses for the two homes were revoked March 6, 2011, citing several paperwork violations including failure to obtain written instructions for administering resident medications, failure to submit a staff list to Goodhue County and failure to submit resident abuse prevention plans.

The homes appealed the revocations at least twice and were denied each time.

According to Hanson’s attorney Lisa Bayley, Hanson also asked the Minnesota Department of Human Services to postpone the revocation until the Minnesota Court of Appeals makes a decision. Bayley said that request was also denied several times, most recently on Dec. 31.

As a result, the revocation order went into effect Jan. 2, prompting the homes to move the five residents out of the View II and the View III.

“Our residents and families want to stay, but our hands are tied by the commissioner's order," Hanson said. "We cannot operate an unlicensed home, and we can't make payroll in these two homes if the commissioner's revocation order cuts off the funding used by many of our residents."

Hanson said that the homes are working with the displaced residents and their families to find alternative care and have found other living facilities for the residents.

Citing patient privacy, he would not say where those residents are moving. However, Hanson said he hopes that the residents will be able to return to the View II and the View III soon.

“We have been actively exploring other options that will enable these two homes to re-open, with a different menu of services,” Hanson said. “I remain confident that these homes can provide a valuable, local alternative for our elderly residents who would otherwise be forced to live alone or in a nursing home.”

Hanson also owns a third home in Cannon Falls, the View I, which remains open.

Tags: news, minnesota, health