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

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident

  • Maltreatment
    • Staff removed a gaming system from the dayroom to keep client and his peer from arguing/fighting. Client ripped the gaming console from staff and ran. After a short chase, staff was able to catch client and a brief struggle over the gaming console occurred. During struggle, staff was seen pushing client to the ground. Medical personnel assessed client and noted several scratches to various parts of client’s upper body. Staff was immediately suspended pending termination.
    • Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted; Investigation pending. Licensing follow-up; Facility visited on 08/05/22 from 9am – 10am and video reviewed of incident. During the struggle between staff and client, staff grabbed behind client’s neck with both hands and threw client to the ground.

PRLU or OLTC

ER Visit, Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Accidental Injury)
    • Client reported to staff that they hurt their toe playing basketball 2 weeks ago. Client transported for x-ray; Client had an intra-articular fracture of the left fourth toe. Client received walking boot and has a follow-up in 1 week. No follow-up details.

PRLU or OLTC

ER Visit, Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Fracture, Unknown Cause)
    • Client reported pain in little finger of right hand. Client was transported for x-ray that yielded a nondisplaced fracture of the right small finger. Client received aluminum splint and instructions to follow-up with physician in 7-10 days. No follow-up details.

Police Report

Complainant Not Located

Officers received call for an unknown trouble. Upon arrival, employees advised they did not call. No further action taken.

PRLU or OLTC

ER Visit, Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

  • ER Visit (Peer Altercation)
    • A physical altercation occurred between 2 residents. Peer pushed client’s head into a wall, resulting in a laceration. Client was sent to the ER and received stitches. No follow-up details.

Police Report

Non Police Incident

Secured scene for MEMS. Subject transported to Baptist for mental evaluation.

PRLU or OLTC

Monitor Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Not listed.
  • Complaint: There was a suicide attempt on 03/28/22 at facility that was not reported. Records indicate that client tied a shirt and towel around their neck. Facility visited from 11am – 12pm. Report from facility states that client was upset they could not have DVD player and began scratching their left forearm with their fingernails, then went into room and attempted to wrap a sweatshirt around their neck. This was observed on camera and staff immediately intervened. Licensing records indicate that Licensing was not notified of this incident prior to complaint.

PRLU or OLTC

Monitor Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Buildings & Grounds conducted from 1pm – 2pm. Census: 75. EMAC halls 3 & 4 checked, no licensing concerns noted. Two classrooms observed and MARs checked for 5 clients.
  • Received complaint regarding incidents 2/22/22, 3/6/22, 3/7/22, and 3/28/22 and/or 3/30/22. The 2/22/22 incident referred to in the complaint is almost exactly like a 2/9/22 documented incident, previously addressed by Licensing (no report for 2/22/22). In the event the incidents are the same, a therapist was seen on video lunging and grabbing at client during altercation. On 2/10/22, facility was cited (905.4g and 907.2). Incident report from 3/6/22 stated “no assistance from any other program” and “no shift supervisor”. Staff present today stated a shift supervisor was present on 3/6/22. The 2 staff writing the reports would indicate adequate staff ratio for 2 clients in altercation. Incident report from 3/7/22 stated “no staff came to help despite codes being called” (peer altercation). No definitive evidence from statements reviewed to support a licensing violation at this time.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Complaint (Ratio)
    • Complaint received: An incident happened on 2/22/22 in which there were not enough staff to assist. Client was beating hand on wall and threw a computer chair. Staff documented in the incident report that more staff were needed. On 3/6/22, a client physically attacked a peer due to not treating head lice; On 3/7/22, a client physically attacked staff. Staff documented there was no assistance for either of these incidents.
    • Licensing follow-up: Facility visited on 07/26/22. The 2/22/22 incident referred to in the complaint is almost exactly like a 2/9/22 documented incident, previously addressed by Licensing (no report for 2/22/22). In the event the incidents are the same, a therapist was seen on video lunging and grabbing at client during altercation. On 2/10/22, facility was cited (905.4g and 907.2). Incident report from 3/6/22 stated “no assistance from any other program” and “no shift supervisor”. Staff present today stated a shift supervisor was present on 3/6/22. The 2 staff writing the reports would indicate adequate staff ratio for 2 clients in altercation. Incident report from 3/7/22 stated “no staff came to help despite codes being called” (peer altercation). No definitive evidence from statements reviewed to support a licensing violation at this time.

PRLU or OLTC

Licensing Compliance Record, Response to Complaint

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Facility visited from 11:30am – 1:00pm regarding a complaint on 07/18/22 of neglect and inadequate supervision at facility. Licensing reviewed staff/client ratio on staff rosters and reviewed video footage for several dates. No licensing concerns observed this visit.  

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint, Notice of Incident

  • Complaint (Neglect & Inadequate Supervision)
    • Complaint received: Facility has been neglectful in reporting incidents accurately to proper licensing authorities, facility is not protecting their staff and offering adequate staffing to client ratio (on weekends especially), facility is not providing adequate staff based on the needs of and care of the type of clients and behaviors. There are several incidents in which fights have occurred, and staff have been assaulted because there aren’t enough staff. Facility is not a therapeutic environment and needs to be investigated.
    • Licensing follow-up on 07/21/22: Facility visited from 11:30am – 1:00pm. Facility visited, and staff/client ratios reviewed. Video footage was also reviewed, and staff/client ratios noted. No licensing concerns observed this visit. Follow-up visit on 08/14/22: Facility was out of ratio in some areas. Facility cited.

Police Report

Information Report

Officers responded to an alarm; Facility appeared to be secure, no signs of forced entry.

Police Report

Check Condition of Subject

Texas DHS employee requested officer to check on child at facility to verify he was at this location and was okay. Officer made contact with juvenile, who stated he was okay.

Police Report

Non Police Incident

Officers responded to a disturbance; Upon arrival, officers stood by while DHS waited on juvenile to exit vehicle and enter facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Maltreatment
    • On 07/07/22, DCFS investigator visited facility and informed staff she was investigating an accepted call to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline. The complaint alleges a staff member scratched client’s arm. It is unknown when the alleged incident took place. Staff suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
    • Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted; Unsubstantiated. Licensing follow-up on 07/13/22: Facility visited, and video footage reviewed of 07/06/22 at Destiny House. Client is heard (offscreen) initiating a fight with a peer, and 2 staff are seen restraining client at this time. Staff were on either side of client leaning against the wall, and client is heard screaming and seen kicking during the hold. After nurse arrives, client calms down. Video reviewed from bedroom camera which shows the other side of the hold. Neither video view shows an inappropriate hold by staff during the restraint.

Police Report

Assault and Battery Third Degree

Staff stated juvenile 1 attacked juvenile 2, punching him in the face several times. J1 stated when staff member came to break up the fight, staff squeezed J1s wrists super tight and then pushed him head first into the wall, causing a scratch on his forehead. Staff stated he did grab J1 and held him against the wall because he wouldn’t calm down. Supervisor and MEMS was contacted, and J1 was transported to hospital.

PRLU or OLTC

Elopement, Notice of Incident

  • Elopement
    • While playing outside in the fenced area in the back of EMCC, 5 clients breached the locked gate and gained access to the facility parking lot. Staff were able to retrieve 4 of the clients before they left the campus. The fifth client was seen leaving campus and staff followed client to a store parking lot, where client refused to return with staff. Staff escorted client to van and once back at the facility, client refused to exit van and police were called to make a report. Client was extremely combative with staff when they attempted to escort client from the van, and a police officer attempted to assist. Client bit police officer’s hand, and once inside, staff placed client in an ESI hold. During the incident, client bit, kicked, hit, and pulled the hair of several staff members. Client did not sustain any injuries.
    • Licensing follow-up on 06/30/22: Staff notified Licensing that the fenced area clients had eloped from had been welded and reinforced with steel to prevent further elopements.

Police Report

Information Report

Staff advised officers that juvenile left the campus, and that staff had located her and transported her back to the facility. Staff advised juvenile was upset because she was being transported to a different facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

  • Maltreatment
    • On 07/08/22, CACD investigator visited facility and informed staff she was investigating an accepted call to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline. The complaint alleges a staff member choked a client during an Emergency Safety Intervention on 06/26/22. Staff suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
    • The Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted. Licensing follow-up on 07/13/22: Facility visited from 10am – 12pm. Video was reviewed from 06/25/22 (no incident involving aforementioned staff on 06/26/22) for 2 separate incidents. At no time during either of these holds is staff seen saying or doing anything inappropriate or in violation of minimum licensing standards.

Police Report

False or Unfounded Call

Officers spoke with an employee, who advised it was an accident.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Peer Altercation)
    • Client was involved in altercation with peer, afterwards complaining of headache and feeling lightheaded. Hourly neuro checks were ordered, and client was later taken to ER due to continued headache/dizziness. Client was diagnosed with a closed head injury and prescribed Ondansetron for nausea. Peer involved was placed on assaultive precautions.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Facility visited from 10:00am – 11:00am. Census: 32. MARs checked for 5 residents. No licensing concerns observed during the visit.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • ER Visit (Peer Altercation)
    • Client was involved in altercation with peer, in which she sustained several scratches to her face, a small cut to the inner lower lip, and slight swelling to her chin. Client also stated she possibly hit her head on the ground. Client was transported to ER, where she was diagnosed with a mild concussion. Peer (aggressor) received placement elsewhere.

Police Report

Battery Third Degree

Officers made contact with juvenile at ACH, who stated peer threw a deck of cards at her face, then proceeded to punch her, push her over, punch her face against the floor, kick her head, and continue assaulting her. When juvenile was able to move to another room once staff arrived, she was found by peer who continued assaulting her, pushing her head into a cabinet before she was removed.