Disability Rights Arkansas

Centers for Youth and Families Little Rock

*Photos taken by DRA staff during onsite monitoring visits. Photos reflect the most recent conditions observed by DRA staff but may not reflect the current conditions at the facility. If you are associated with a facility and have updated information or photos you would like to share, please contact DRA at [email protected]

Location: Little Rock, AR

Population Served: Youth ages 5-18

# of residents per unit: Up to 8 Residents per room: 1-3 Capacity: 82 beds (PRTF and residential)

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Facility declined to provide specifics regarding call frequency or schedule

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? No

Treatment Components

Clinical Director - LCSW

Therapists: Facility declined to identify, report number employed, or share credential status of any therapists.

Treatment modalities offered: Facility declined to identify any specific modalities available.

# of individual therapy sessions/week: Facility declined to provide a number or range.

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: Facility declined to provide a number or range.

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PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Injury

  • Self-inflicted Injury
    • Client reported to APRN at PCP appointment that she had hurt her right hand while playing and had also hit her hand on a wall. Client’s hand was slightly swollen with restricted range of motion. Client was transported to Ortho Arkansas, and an x-ray determined there was no fracture. A soft cast was placed on client’s hand and a follow-up appointment was scheduled for 01/27/23.
    • Licensing follow-up: On 01/27/23, client was diagnosed with a fracture to the fourth and fifth metacarpal and placed in a soft cast. A follow-up appointment is scheduled with Ortho Arkansas for 02/10/23. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Acute Placement, Notice of Incident

  • Acute Placement
    • Client became dysregulated and began to verbally threaten staff and peers. Client refused all options to calm her and was transported by MEMS to an acute placement. No injuries were sustained.
    • Licensing follow-up: No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Monitor Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Facility visited from 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm; Census: 22 (EMCC). Walkthrough completed of EMCC (sustained water damage, repairs in progress). Residents were observed laying on their mattresses, sleeping, or watching television. Staff reported the residents were adjusting well, and the projected date for repairs is 01/30/23.

Police Report

Assault Third Degree

Staff member advised officers that juvenile became angry after staff attempted to instruct juvenile to do a task. Staff attempted to place juvenile in a hold, and juvenile began to hit staff in the side of the face.

PRLU or OLTC

Acute Placement, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Acute Placement
    • Client became dysregulated, grabbed a fire extinguisher and discharged it in the hallway, activating the fire alarm. A peer then attempted to join client after client threw the extinguisher at staff. Both residents were placed in restraints. Due to continued aggression, both residents were transferred to acute placements. No injuries were sustained.
    • Licensing follow-up: Staff reported there were no witness statements. Licensing reviewed camera footage and inquired about nursing notes on 01/23/23. No licensing concerns were observed while viewing camera footage. Staff informed Licensing that all fire extinguisher cases will be locked.

PRLU or OLTC

Monitor Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Buildings & Grounds conducted from 1pm – 2pm. Census: 23. Sleeping areas, day areas, cafeteria, bathrooms and grounds observed. MARs reviewed for 5 residents. No licensing concerns noted.

Police Report

Battery Third Degree

Staff member reported while working at the facility on 1/11/23, a juvenile became upset with a peer over a basketball game. Staff stated juvenile threw a water bottle at him, and when he attempted to grab juvenile to calm the situation down, juvenile continually struck him in the head with his fists. Staff stated he had to go to the hospital to receive medical attention, and was fired from his job today (1/12/23) over the altercation.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Maltreatment
    • Client became dysregulated and began to destroy property. During incident, client knocked a female staff to the ground and a staff member stepped between them. Client turned his aggression toward that staff member and appeared to strike him with his fists. The staff member then grabbed client by the neck, and both went to the ground during the struggle during which staff reportedly punched client in the face. Other staff separated the two and removed the staff member from the area. Client sustained bruises, scratches, and redness to his neck and chest and complained of jaw pain. Client was transported to the ER where a CT angiogram was conducted and returned without issue. The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted, and the staff member was terminated on 01/11/23.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing reviewed camera footage and noted the staff member failed to use a proper restraint in order to gain control of the situation. Licensing obtained witness statements from staff and nursing notes. “Licensing is not prepared to leave a finding at this time.”

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Maltreatment
    • Client was still “hype” from a fight that had just occurred and threw a water jug at a staff member and peers. Staff member then pushed client into the counter and window. Client began to hit the staff member, and staff was trying to get him under control by grabbing his shirt, and they started tussling. Client did have bruises, but it is unknown which incident they were from. Location of bruises unknown. The Child Abuse Hotline was called and screened out. The facility reports they terminated the staff member on 01/12/23.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing visited facility to review camera footage, witness statements, and nursing notes. During video review, the staff member was observed pushing client into a table and was then immediately separated by other staff. “Licensing is not prepared to leave a finding at this time.” 

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Building walkthrough conducted from 1:15pm – 2pm of EMCC for the following areas: New dorm, treatment hallway, a classroom, and the bathrooms. Census: 39. Maintenance was called and repaired the following concerns while Licensing was on site: Light fixtures, sink sensor, and replaced the blind in the group room.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Building walkthrough of EMCC water damage conducted from 2:45pm – 3:45pm. Census: 42. Licensing observed where the restoration company had cleaned up the water and removed the debris. Flooring is scheduled to be pulled on 1/5/23 and the wood in the ceiling has been resealed and will be inspected again on 1/5/23. All bids have been submitted to the insurance company. Licensing and staff discussed the process of the renovations and the alternative plans that were made for the residents.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

  • Accidental Injury
    • Client hurt his left pinky finger playing basketball on 01/01/23. Client was transported to the ER due to slight swelling to finger. An x-ray determined no fractures were present.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing inquired about discharge summary. Facility reported that client was assessed by nursing on 01/05/23 and his 4th and 5th fingers were rewrapped (buddy tape). Client refused OTC pain medication.

PRLU or OLTC

Acute Placement, Notice of Incident

  • Acute Placement
    • Client became dysregulated and was verbally and physically aggressive towards staff. Client also made statements that she would harm herself and others. Client was transported to an acute placement for care. No injuries were sustained.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing requested witness statements and nursing notes on 01/05/23. On 01/09/23, client was transported to acute placement due to threatening self-harm and others. On 01/10/23, client was discharged from the facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Self Report Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Building walkthrough of EMCC conducted from 2:30pm – 3:15pm (major leak in the sprinkler system causing water damage to parts of the building). Census: 47. Specialist viewed damage to facility and areas where residents are sleeping due to the water damage (the reward room, group room, and a conference room). Staff inquired about utilizing the facility’s new dorm and an unused classroom for the residents; Licensing informed staff to submit their alternative plans via email for approval.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Property Damage

  • Property Damage
    • The sprinkler system at EMCC incurred a major leak, causing water damage to parts of the building. The clients were moved to an area of the building with no damage. No injuries were sustained. The clients will continue to receive all normal services. A restoration company was contacted and responded to facility on 12/24/22.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing completed a walkthrough of the facility and observed no clients in the damaged areas. Licensing observed the sleeping areas for clients (reward room, group room, and a conference room). Staff inquired about utilizing the new dorm and an unused classroom for the residents, and Licensing informed staff to submit their alternative plans via email for approval. Residents were able to process their concerns with staff.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Injury, Visit Compliance Report

  • Self-inflicted Injury
    • Client became dysregulated and began hitting a metal fire extinguisher cabinet with his fists. Client stopped after being verbally redirected. Nurse assessed and noted slight bruising to his knuckles, and client complained of pain to his ring and pinky fingers. Icepack and Ibuprofen were provided, and client was taken to the ER where an x-ray determined there were no fractures present.
    • Licensing follow-up: As of 12/21/22, client has slight bruising to hand but denies pain/discomfort and is conducting all normal activities. Client reported he was “mad” but did not remember why. No licensing concerns noted. 

Police Report

Interference with Visitation

Juvenile’s parent stated the facility would not allow them to check their son out of the facility for lunch, stating this was a violation of a court order. Parent wanted to press charges.

PRLU or OLTC

Monitor Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Buildings & Grounds conducted for EMCC from 11:30am – 12:30pm. Census: 48. MARs observed for 5 residents. No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Injury, Visit Compliance Report

  • Self-inflicted Injury
    • After refusing to return to her dorm, client picked up a small plastic/metal cap and swallowed it. The object did not obstruct client’s airway. Client was transported to the ER for an x-ray. The x-ray showed the foreign object traveling down her digestive track without obstruction.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing viewed camera footage on 12/14/22. Client was observed on the phone and unable to talk with whom she was calling. The phone was taken from the classroom, and the resident refused her medication. Client was asked to return to her room, and client refused and began walking around the room touching different objects. Client grabbed a battery-operated pencil sharpener and removed a small object from it, then swallowed it. Multiple staff were seen speaking to the client during the incident. Client was placed on self-harm precautions (removed on 12/12/22). No licensing concerns noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Medical, Notice of Incident

  • Medical
    • Nurse assessed client due to not responding to verbal stimuli. Client was alert but unresponsive verbally, vitals fluctuated, and she was breathing rapidly. MEMS transported client to the ER where she was treated for a behavior disturbance (anxiety).

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

  • Peer Altercation
    • Client was on the floor when a peer kicked him in the head. Staff immediately separated the clients. Nurse noted his vitals were elevated and client would not speak when asked questions. This improved after 5 minutes, but client stated he felt lightheaded and appeared to be lethargic. MEMS transported client to the ER, where client was diagnosed with head trauma and instructed to take pain medication as needed.
    • Licensing follow-up: Licensing requested incident report and visited facility on 12/08/22 to review video. Client was observed lying on the floor due to a headache, with another staff present. The peer is then seen running into camera view and kicking client, and staff immediately used body as barrier. No licensing concerns viewed.

Police Report

False Alarm

Staff advised officers the juveniles pulled the fire alarm. No further police action taken.

Police Report

Fire Run

Juveniles pulled the fire alarm and sprayed fire extinguisher. Employees did not want to make a report.

Police Report

Information Report

Officers responded in reference to 2 runaway juveniles. Officers arrived on scene and were able to locate and return the juveniles.

PRLU or OLTC

Elopement, Notice of Incident

  • Elopement
    • At approximately 1850, 2 clients discharged a fire extinguisher causing the fire alarm to be activated. Staff opened the emergency exit door (leads to the parking lot) to remove the clients from the dorm. Once in the parking lot, the 2 clients eloped. Staff followed the clients to a convenience store several blocks from the facility, and the clients were returned to the facility by the police department at approximately 1917.
    • Licensing follow-up: Facility visited on 11/28/22 and video footage reviewed. No licensing concerns noted.