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July 23, 2025 CERTIFIED MAIL Lewis Zeidner, Authorized Agent Douglas Place Treatment Center LLC dba EOSIS Northern Plains 550 Main Street Suite 230 New Brighton, MN 55112-3274 License Number 1071339-SUD (Substance Use Disorder) Report Number 202500561 DETERMINATION OF MALTREATMENT FAILURE TO REPORT MALTREATMENT BACKGROUND STUDY VIOLATION AND ORDER TO PAY A FINE Dear Lewis Zeidner: The Department of Human Services (DHS) determined that Douglas Place Treatment Center LLC dba EOSIS Northern Plains, 1111 Gateway Drive NE, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, is responsible for maltreatment by neglect, failure to report two incidents of possible maltreatment, and failure to comply with background study requirements. Based on this determination, DHS is ordering you to pay a fine of $1600. Details of our findings are provided below and in the enclosed Investigation Memorandum for report 202500561. Our next steps and your options are also detailed. I. Determination of Maltreatment Allegation One: It was reported that a vulnerable adult (VA1) had a sexual relationship with a staff person (SP) while receiving services at the facility. DHS investigated the report as alleged maltreatment by sexual abuse and determined that the SP had sexual contact with VA1. Allegation Two: It was reported that a vulnerable adult (VA2) had a sexual relationship with the SP while receiving services at the facility. DHS investigated the report as alleged maltreatment by sexual abuse and it was inconclusive as to sexual abuse of VA2 by the SP. Allegation Three: During the course of the investigation it was alleged that the facility failed to provide supervision for the SP as required by his/her background study which resulted in the SP’s ability to develop and have inappropriate boundaries/relationships with VA1 and VA2. DHS investigated the report as alleged maltreatment by neglect. Based on the maltreatment investigation, DHS determined that Douglas Place Treatment Center LLC dba EOSIS Northern Plains was responsible for neglect of VA1. See the enclosed Investigation Memorandum for more information. Legal Authority: Minnesota Statutes, section 626.557, subdivision 9c. Fine: $1,000 II. Failure to Report Maltreatment Based on the maltreatment investigation, DHS determined that staff persons including supervisory and/or administrative staff persons had knowledge of two incidents of possible maltreatment, but did not make a report as required. Legal Authority: Minnesota Statutes, section 626.557, subdivision 3 and 245A.65, subdivision 1. Fine: $400 Corrective Action Required: Within 30 days of receipt of this order, submit written documentation to your DHS licensor showing that all staff have been retrained on the reporting requirements for alleged maltreatment. The documentation must identify: names of staff persons completing the training; staff person’s qualifications, the date of the training; the number of hours of the training, who provided the training and the training materials. Submissions required as part of the corrective action ordered must be sent to your Licensor at: Commissioner, Department of Human Services ATTN: Charlene Hanson c/o Licensing Division PO Box 64242 St. Paul, MN 55164-0242 III. Background Study Violation As a result of an investigation, a DHS investigator determined that you failed to provide continuous direct supervision of a staff person who requires “continuous direct supervision.” On December 27, 2023, BGS sent a letter to the facility’s sensitive information person (SIP) stating that a staff person (P) was disqualified from providing direct contact services. The letter also stated that the facility may choose whether or not to allow the P to provide direct contact services pending reconsideration, however, if the facility chose to let the P continue to work, it was required to “ensure that the individual is under continuous, direct supervision when providing direct contact services with persons receiving services from your program, pending reconsideration of the disqualification.” On January 26, 2024, BGS received the P’s request for reconsideration and the P continued to work. On February 20, 2024, the P no longer worked at the facility. From January 22 to February 20, 2024, a client (C) lived at and received services from the facility and informaiton obtained showed that the C and the P had unsupervised contact in a laundry room and the C’s bedroom where they kissed. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.13, subdivision 2 Fine: $200 Corrective Action Ordered: You must comply with all background study requirements in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245C going forward. IV. Order to Pay a Fine Because DHS determined that Douglas Place Treatment Center LLC dba EOSIS Northern Plains is responsible for maltreatment and failure to report maltreatment, you must pay a $1600 fine. Legal Authority: Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), subparagraph (4). V. Billing and Payment of the Fine DHS will send you an invoice for the $1600 fine. Payment must be made as directed on the invoice. If you request a contested case hearing, as described below, do not pay the fine at this time. After the contested case hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order. Please note, you may not avoid payment of this fine by closing, selling, or otherwise transferring the license to a third party. If this occurs, each controlling individual is personally and jointly responsible for payment. If you do not pay the fine on or before the date specified on the invoice and you did not request a contested case hearing, as described below, the Commissioner may issue a second fine, may not issue or reissue a license, or may suspend the license until the license holder pays the fine. VI. YOUR RIGHT TO APPEAL You have right to appeal the maltreatment determination and/or fine. Please see options below. Should you exercise your rights to appeal send: 1.
Right to appeal the fine and maltreatment determination You have the right to appeal the fine and maltreatment determination. Your request must be in writing and clearly state that you are requesting a contested case hearing for this matter. Your request must be made before the deadlines provided below. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to an administrative appeal. The timeline to appeal began when you received this order. If you are mailing your request, it must be sent by certified mail and postmarked within 15 calendar days from when you received this order. See address, Section VI. If your request is being personally delivered, it must be received by DHS within 15 calendar days from when you received this order. See address, Section VI. Upon DHS’ receipt of your timely appeal, your case would be scheduled for a contested case hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. After this hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order. 2. Request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination only If you do not appeal the fine, you may still request reconsideration of the maltreatment determination. Your request must be made before the deadlines provided below. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to request reconsideration. The timeline to request reconsideration began when you received this order. Your request must: · Be in writing · Clearly state that you are requesting reconsideration of the maltreatment determination · Identify what is inaccurate or incomplete about the information in the Investigation Memorandum · Supply information that is accurate or more complete · State why you believe the finding of maltreatment should be changed · Be made before the deadlines provided below. Your request must be postmarked within 15 calendar days from when you received this order. See address, Section VI. A response to your reconsideration request will be mailed within 15 working days after DHS receives your request. You have the right to request a fair hearing if a response is not mailed within 15 working days. 3. Right to appeal the order to pay a fine only You have the right to only appeal the fine. Your request must be in writing and clearly state that you are requesting a contested case hearing for this matter. Your request must be made before the deadlines provided below. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to an administrative appeal. The timeline to appeal began when you received this order. If you are mailing your request, it must be sent by certified mail and postmarked within 10 calendar days from when you received this order. See address, Section VI. If your request is being personally delivered, it must be received by DHS within 10 calendar days from when you received this order. See address, Section VI. Upon DHS’ receipt of your timely appeal, your case would be scheduled for a contested case hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. After this hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order. 4. Legal representation at the contested case hearing You do not need a lawyer to appeal. However, a lawyer can help you with your appeal. The state or county will not get you a lawyer and will not pay for a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be able to get free legal advice or help with your appeal. To find out if free help is available, contact: Volunteer Lawyers Network at 612-752-6677; Central Minnesota Legal Services at 612-332-8151; Southern Minnesota Legal Services at 651-222-4731; or go to www.justice4mn.org to find a local legal services program that may be able to help you. You can also find information on contested cases from the Office of Administrative Hearings website at https://mn.gov/oah/self-help. Click on Administrative Law Overview, then click on Administrative Law Contested Case Hearing Guide for a list of frequently asked questions. Legal authority for this licensing action · This action is taken under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), which describes under which conditions DHS may impose a fine against a license. · Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (4), item (i) provides that DHS may impose a $1000 fine for each determination of maltreatment of a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 for which the license holder is determined responsible. · DHS may impose a $200 fine for each health, safety, or supervision licensing violation under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (4), item (iv). · In determining whether the facility, an individual, or both are responsible for substantiated maltreatment, DHS must consider the mitigating factors provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.557, subdivision 9c, paragraph (c). · Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (5) states that license holders may not avoid payment of a fine by closing, selling, or transferring a license. · License holders have a right to appeal licensing actions and request a contested case hearing, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. · License holders have a right to request reconsideration of a maltreatment determination, under Minnesota Statutes, section 626.557, subdivision 9d. · Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.04, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), clause (4), states that DHS shall not issue or reissue a license if the applicant, license holder, or controlling individual has an outstanding debt related to a license fee, licensing fine, or settlement agreement for which payment is delinquent. · Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (2), states that that the license holder shall pay the fine assessed on or before the payment date specified, and if the license holder does not do so the commissioner may issue a second fine or suspend the license until the license holder complies. Questions If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Melanie Bridges, Supervisor, at 651-431-6559. Sincerely,
Maggie Hanson, Intake and Investigations Unit Manager Licensing Division Office of Inspector General Enclosure
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