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

Visit Compliance Report

  • Regs out of compliance –
    • R911.15.f – Drawstrings were found in clothing in room 1 Dorm North and room 2 Dorm South; Corrected during visit. Clothing removed from room by staff and strings removed from clothing.
  • Regs not correctable –
    • R908.8 – When checking electronic med logs, client had several missing days of meds being logged and no explanation as to why.
  • TA –
    • R911.6 – The faucet in girl’s bathroom on Dorm South wasn’t working (sensor was malfunctioning).

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Other – Client’s in Attic
    • 2 Clients pulled ladder down and went into the attic of facility; Fire department and police were called to the location. Client 1 exited the attic after approximately 30 minutes and Client 2 after approximately 1.5 hours.
    • Staff member was immediately suspended pending termination. All attic access was secured by screwing shut attic doors. Family therapy session with client’s mother was conducted and addressed with therapist. Child Abuse Hotline was called, not accepted.

Police Report

Information Report

Upon arrival, staff stated that Juvenile climbed into the attic and refused to come down. Staff stated there were staff members up there with Juvenile. Juvenile came down once fire dept. and staff member spoke with him. No injuries noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Regs out of compliance –
    • R905.9 – Ensure minimal force is used when performing restraints (ESI used 6/9/21).
    • R907.2 – Ensure child caring staff be responsible for providing the level of supervision, care, and treatment necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of each child at the facility (Restraint used 6/9/21).
  • TA –
    • R908.8 – Ensure medicine is logged only when given (Meds were accidentally logged while client was in acute).

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Survey, Workload Report

  • Complaint #AR00026744 unsubstantiated.
  • Survey Team Composition and Workload Report –
    • One surveyor onsite 4 hours 8am – 6pm, 1.75 hours 6pm – 12am; 3.5 travel hours, 1.75 off-site report prep hours (06/21/21 – 06/22/21).

PRLU or OLTC

Revisit Survey with POC, Workload Report

  • Regs out of compliance –
    • N 143 – Facility failed to ensure a physician order was obtained at the times of a restraint for 1 client by not obtaining an order for a restraint during the restraint or immediately after the restraint.
    • N 144 – Facility failed to ensure a physician’s order was documented for 2 clients who required an ESI.
    • N 155 – Facility failed to ensure an ESI Report Form was completed for each restraint used for 2 clients who required a use of a restraint. Facility failed to ensure there was a cumulative log of all restraints utilized.
    • N 167 – Facility failed to ensure an assessment was completed immediately after the use of a restraint for 1 client who required the use of a restraint.
  • Plan of Correction: Training documentation developed and daily review of ESI forms initiated.
  • 07.19.21 Revisit for 06.17.21 deficiencies; Facility in compliance with program requirements.
  • Survey Team Composition and Workload Report –
    • Surveyor 1 onsite 12.5 hours, 8am – 6pm; 5 travel hours, 5.5 off-site report prep hours (06/16/21 – 06/17/21).
    • Surveyor 2 onsite 12.5 hours 8am – 6pm; 1.5 travel hours, 3 off-site report prep hours (06/16/21 – 06/17/21.
    • One surveyor onsite 4.5 hours 8am – 6pm; 3 travel hours, 1 off-site report prep hours (07/19/21).

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • During visit, video footage was reviewed of incident involving an alleged improper restraint. After reviewing the video, it was determined no actions would be taken at that time. Investigation is still pending. (Staff was viewed grabbing client’s arm and client snatched arm away possibly causing injury; Noted that staff is viewed swatting at client as client is snatching arm away)
  • A building and grounds monitoring visit was also conducted with no deficiencies noted.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Survey, Workload Report

  • Complaint #AR00026706 unsubstantiated.
  • Survey Team Composition and Workload Report –
    • Surveyor 1 onsite 6.25 hours 8am – 6pm; 2.5 travel hours (06/15/21).
    • Surveyor 2 onsite 6.25 hours 8am – 6pm; 1.5 travel hours, 2.5 off-site report prep hours (06/15/21).

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • TA – Ensure all required legal documents (Birth certificates, social security cards, court orders, etc.) are obtained and placed in children’s file. Specialist reviewed 14 children’s records; Certain legal documents were missing, however, a request form requesting information was in the file.

Medicaid Inspection of Care

On-Site Inspection

  • Included: IOC, CAP, Sanction Letters, Reconsideration Determination Letter
  • Multiple deficiencies noted. Plan of Correction required to be completed within 30 days.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Specialist made visit to view video footage of incident that took place at facility. Upon viewing the video, it was determined that the staff member failed to de-escalate the situation allowing for incident to get out of control.
  • Cited for regulation 907.2 – Child caring staff shall be responsible for providing the level of supervision, care, and treatment necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of each child at the facility taking into account the child’s age, individual differences and abilities, surrounding circumstances, hazards and risks.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

Injury – Peer Altercation

  • Client 1 became upset when staff asked him to take a shower and began throwing objects at staff and hitting staff. Client 2 became triggered due to Client 1 hitting staff, and both clients ultimately engaged in a physical altercation after Client 1 began throwing objects at Client 2. Client 1 sustained several minor injuries and sent to ACH ER, where he received a tetanus booster and given a prescription for Augmentin, a bite protocol for ACH.
  • Video footage of incident requested.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Regs out of compliance

  • R911.15 – Shoestrings found in a pair of shoes in a room on Dorm East. Corrected 6.2.21.

TA

  • R911.6 – A used urine bag was found in child’s closet on Dorm North.

Not correctable

  • R908.8 – Client meds were not documented as given/administered, dates May 27 & 28.

CWARB Actions

Corrective Action Agreement, Letter of Reprimand

  • Centers has recently failed to maintain substantial compliance with the Minimum Licensing Standards in the areas of Behavior Management, Ratio & Supervision and Inspections, Investigation & Corrective Action.
  • The attached CAA reflects the excessive citations and lack of sustained compliance at Centers for Youth and Families – Elizabeth Mitchell Centers. Because of this, youth are not receiving the required care as intended by the Minimum Licensing Requirements.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

Maltreatment – Staff Abuse

  • Former client stated that while she was at facility, the girls were required to keep the door cracked while undressing and showering. Client also stated that she had let a peer use her MP3 player and staff member grew upset with her, telling her that the peer could have killed herself with the ear cords. Client became triggered by yelling and tried to shut her door, but the staff member opened it, chased her around the bed, yanked her arm, and then threw her on the floor to put her in a restraint. Client received bruises from this altercation. ICA: Client no longer at facility.
  • Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted. Email sent to CACD requesting additional details from the interviews.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

Injury in Rage Room

  • Client was sent to ACH ER after striking one of the padded walls in the Rage Room. The medical team wanted her hand to be further evaluated to rule out of fracture.
  • Based on video reviewed and interviews conducted, Client put on gloves that were not purchased by the Program Director (unknown who purchased them and placed them in the EMAC Gym); Gloves were thin with little padding. Client punched padded walls that were not intended to be hit or kicked.

Police Report

Non Police Incident

Caller advised they handled the situation and no longer needed police assistance.

Police Report

False or Unfounded Call

Officers responded in reference to a 911 hang up; Upon arrival staff stated that everything was fine. Nothing appeared suspicious or out of place.

Police Report

Disturbance

Officer spoke with staff who stated a Juvenile who had returned from Pinnacle had been breaking things all morning. Staff stated Juvenile was acting up so he could return to Pinnacle in reference to a female Juvenile he met during his stay.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Regs out of compliance –

  • R409.6 – Observed 3 holes in wall in kitchen area that need repair. Due date 6.4.21.

Police Report

Harassing Communications

Staff 1 wanted officers to stand by while she picked up final paycheck. Staff 1 stated she wanted to make a harassment report against Staff 2. Staff 1 stated that Staff 2 threatened her life in a group message. Staff 2 also filed a harassment report against Staff 1.

Police Report

Non Police Incident

Officers made contact with facility manager who advised everyone was okay.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

Self-Harm

  • Client got mad, went to his room and engaged in self-harm by tying the strings from his paper mask together and placing it around his neck. Staff went in immediately and took action. Per student’s report, he engaged in this behavior as a power struggle and was not attempting suicide. No follow-up details.