Disability Rights Arkansas

United Methodist Children's Home Dacus / United Methodist Children's Home (Bono)

*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: Bono, Arkansas

Population Served: Children and adolescents in need of out of home psychiatric care in a residential setting

# of residents per unit: 25 Residents per room: 3-4 Capacity: 25

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Clients have regularly scheduled phone call opportunities. The number of actual calls depends on the clients wish to utilize these opportunities. In person visitation (assuming no quarantine precautions) is available every weekend and can be scheduled at other times as needed by the family or guardian.

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? Yes

Treatment Components:

Clinical Director - In process of hiring.

Therapists: 2 full-time therapists (1 LCSW, 1 LPC)

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

# of individual therapy sessions/week: Minimum 1 per week scheduled. May vary upon the treatment plan of the client.

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: minimum of 1 with 2 preferred.

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PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Client disclosed to nurse that staff brought in a nicotine vape and a THC vape for him to use. Client tested positive for THC on 10/16/23. Client further states that the staff member was instructing him to lie on other staff regarding who brought in the vapes. Staff was suspended pending further investigation. Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted (combined with other allegations). Client was placed on 60k focus and restricted from going on pass home until he is able to test negative for THC.

Licensing Specialist requested documentation regarding this complaint. Licensing Specialist informed that resident was drug screened and tested positive for THC. Resident will continue to be monitored with weekly UDS screens.

CACD investigation was unsubstantiated. Licensing unfounded complaint.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Client disclosed to nurse that staff brought a THC vape and nicotine vape into the facility for him to use. A THC vape and nicotine vape were confiscated on 10/16/23. Client did test positive for THC. Staff was suspended pending further investigation. Child Abuse Hotline was called and accepted (combined with other allegations). Client was placed on 60k focus and restricted from going on pass home until he is able to test negative for THC.

Licensing Specialist requested documentation regarding this complaint. Licensing Specialist informed resident was drug screened and tested positive for THC. Resident will be monitored with weekly UDS screens.

CACD investigation was unsubstantiated. Licensing unfounded complaint.

Police Report

Battery

Officer was dispatched to facility for uncontrollable juvenile. Upon arrival, juvenile was sitting in a large room and eventually spoke with officer. The officer, program nurse, and another staff member were able to get the suspect settled down.

Later that evening, dispatch received another call in reference to the same juvenile. Upon arrival, officer spoke with staff who advised the juvenile was again acting out. Staff advised the juvenile became angry when he was told he could not be in his room and hid under his bed. Once the nurse entered his room, juvenile began hitting his head against the wall. The juvenile then threw food at staff and began punching staff and bit him. Staff stated when he grabbed the juvenile to restrain him, juvenile began to kick him. The juvenile was placed on Group 2 side where he he urinated on the other patients doors and in their rooms.

Staff advised officer he wanted to press charges on juvenile for hitting and biting him. Craighead County JDC would not take juvenile unless Boone County would pay for the jail bill. Officer spoke with juvenile’s caseworker who advised the preferred action would be for Methodist Family Health to take juvenile to an emergency department and have him assessed. Staff advised they would start working on juvenile’s transfer.

Medicaid Inspection of Care

Inspection of Care Report

No deficiencies were noted during the Inpatient Psychiatric Inspection of Care (IOC) conducted on 09/19/23.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

Client broke the soap dispenser in the bathroom and refused to exit the bathroom, then proceeded to hit and kick walls and doors. While transitioning downstairs, client attempted to go down the stairs head first. Once staff instructed him to stop, client complied. Once the client reached the bottom of the stairs, he broke the handicap chair lift. While in the transitional hallway, client screamed, threatened to kill staff and a peer, and kicked doors and walls. Client took his hoodie and placed it around his neck in the cafeteria. Upon nurse assessment, slight redness was present to right hand with no other injuries noted. Client transferred to acute care via ambulance.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Licensing Specialist reviewed camera footage on 9/13/23. No issues were noted by licensing. Per maintenance, the chair lift has been repaired. Resident returned from acute care on 9/12/2023.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Visit Compliance Report

Client became argumentative and defiant after receiving consequences (60k focus and assault precautions) for behavior and struck the wall with a closed hand. Mild amount of edema to 5th knuckle noted. Mobile x-ray results: Acute angulated distal 5th metacarpal fracture. Client was taken to the ER and given a splint for the injury.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Licensing reviewed camera footage on 9/13/23. Client was observed striking the water fountain with ratio 1:1. No issues were noted by licensing.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Staff placed client in a restraint due to client screaming in the dayroom. After client was released from the hold, client immediately tried to attack staff. Staff placed client back in a restraint, and after 3 mins of being in the hold, the nurse instructed staff to release the hold. Staff pushed client back and client fell to the floor. Nurse instructed staff to leave the room. No injuries noted. Child Abuse Hotline referral not accepted. Staff member was suspended.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Facility visited and camera footage was reviewed. Staff was seen placing client in a restraint for an unknown reason and pushing client resulting in client falling to the floor. Upon video review, Licensing Specialist called the hotline and reported the incident (not accepted).

Facility cited for R109.1.g and R905.4.g due to staff member pushing the resident. Staff member was observed displaying unprofessional conduct and demonstrating improper restraint techniques. Program Director informed Licensing Specialist that staff was retrained in CPI with focus on using a physical restraint being used as a last resort. Staff member received written warning stating any other policies or procedures which are not followed would result in immediate termination.

Police Report

Battery

Officer responded to facility in reference to a juvenile out of control. Staff reported the juvenile got upset and kicked a trash can across the room, then punched a staff member. Staff reported the juvenile has hit staff in the past, and causes problems with the other juveniles when he gets out of control. Juvenile was transported to Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) and will be charged with Battery 3rd.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

Client stepped on a peer’s foot and later hit the peer in the head with a notebook. Staff intervened, separating the client from peer. Client then tried to break the leg off of a chair and attempted to get a pencil, threatening to stab someone. Client’s aggression increased when a male staff entered the room, and client punched staff and swung at staff with a closed fist while also threatening to harm him. The client was placed in a child protective position for 1 minute. The client got out of the position and continued to hit staff. Bono Police Department was called to the facility and the client was transported to Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
Facility visited on 9/5/23 and video reviewed of incident. No issues noted by Licensing. Licensing was informed the resident will not be able to return to the facility.

Police Report

Disorderly Conduct

Officer responded to facility in reference to a juvenile being disruptive. Officers spoke with the juvenile and got him calmed down. Juvenile advised he took a piece of wood off the bed and was hitting the walls to make noise, but never tried to attack anyone. Juvenile advised the people there were unfair and he wanted to leave, but stated he would not cause anymore trouble.

Police Report

Battery

Officer responded to facility in reference to a juvenile out of control and hitting a staff member. Upon arrival, officer spoke with the staff member who stated the juvenile began hitting him with a tee shirt and cursing at him, then punched him. The staff member did not want to pursue charges but requested officer speak with him about his behavior. Juvenile advised officer this wouldn’t happen again.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
Licensing completed buildings and grounds from 1:30pm to 3:00pm and observed the following areas: Activity room, dining room, nurse’s station, big boys hall, little boys hall, laundry room, focus room, seclusion rooms, and classrooms.

MARs were reviewed for 5 residents. No licensing concerns noted during visit.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

Client got into a verbal altercation with peer. The peer proceeded to jump over the table to get to the client. The client and the peer exchanged hits with closed and open hands. After the two were separated by staff, the client became defiant throwing items and getting on top of tables. Client threatened to elope and tried to break in the cafeteria window. Client took his shoes, socks, and shirt off. Client later took clothing and wrapped it around his neck. Staff removed clothing. Client did not have any injuries. No pain noted. Client was placed on 60K focus, assault precautions, elopement precautions, and suicide precautions. Licensing Specialist reviewed camera footage for ELS case [REDACTED] for licensing concerns. The provider reported incident took place in the dining room area, ratio 2:4. Two residents observed sitting down at the table and two walking around. Licensing Specialist observed resident come across the table, jump on the table, jump off the table toward a peer, and the altercation began. Licensing Specialist observed staff separate the residents by taking them to different areas of the dining room. The resident broke free from staff and ran around the room toward his peer.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

Client kicked wood panel out from the bed. Client used the panel to knock holes in the wall. Client stated, “he wanted to die.” While in his bedroom, client took a piece of blue jean material from his jeans and wrapped it around his neck. Staff retrieved the fabric. Client did not have any injuries. No pain noted. Client was placed on assault precautions, suicide precautions, and line of sight to be directly supervised by staff at all times. Licensing narrative: Licensing Specialist reviewed provider reported incident for licensing concerns. Licensing Specialist will inquire about the damages. Licensing Specialist informed that the maintenance supervisor is scheduled to have repairs completed by 1:00 pm. There is no camera footage due to incident taking place in the resident’s bedroom.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist conducted an annual review of policies and procedures for Dacus RTC at Methodist Family Health. [REDACTED], compliance specialist, assisted Licensing Specialist with the review. Policies and procedures for Dacus RTC complied with minimum licensing standards. Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

7/2/2023 staff [REDACTED] informed the client [REDACTED] it was time for bed. Client refused to go to bed. Client ran behind the desk detached the HDMI cord and wrapped it around his neck. Client crawled under the desk. Staff unwrapped the cord from around the client’s neck. Client grabbed a staff’s clipboard, ran down the hallway and tried to use the metal part to cut his arm. The nurse noted client made a small 1-2 cm abrasion to left forearm. A small amount of blood was noted. Client denied having pain. The wound was cleaned and bandaged. Client was placed on assault precautions, elopement precautions, suicide precautions, and line of sight to be directly supervised by staff at all times. Licensing Specialist reviewed camera footage for ELS case [REDACTED] for licensing concerns. Licensing Specialist observed ratio (1:2) they were siting in a classroom. The resident was sitting at a desk and the other resident was sitting by the staff’s desk. Licensing Specialist observed the resident get up from the desk and walk over to staff’s desk. He was dropping things on the ground and moving objects on the desk. Another staff entered the classroom ratio (2:1). Resident walked over to desk again, unplugged something on the desk, and proceeded to go under the desk area. Staff can be seen looking and bending down under the desk, using a phone flashlight to see what the resident was doing under the desk. The resident can be seen escorted from under the desk and staff members took what appears to be a cord from the resident. Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Police Report

Information Report

On 6/29/2023 I Officer Morgan received a call from [REDACTED] in reference to her son being in Methodist’s rehabilitation center in bono. [REDACTED] advised that her grandson was being held there and she was unable to get a hold of anybody there. I went by and relayed a message for to have one of the staff members to give her a call. Nothing further to report.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist completed buildings and grounds and observed the following areas: front office (Administration), day area, dining area, nurse’s station, classroom hall, big boys and little boys hallway. Licensing Specialist was escorted by [REDACTED], program director. [REDACTED] provided the Licensing Specialist with a copy of the scheduled outings for the residents. Licensing Specialist observed a staff member and resident preparing for a visit, ratio 1:1 and a family session in the day area, ratio 1:2. Licensing Specialist observed the big boys sitting at desks in their classroom, ratio 1:3. The little boys were also sitting at desks with one resident sitting by the teacher’s desk, ratio, 1:6. The classroom hallway, classrooms, and bathroom were clean and organized. Licensing Specialist observed a water fountain for residents’ water supply. Licensing Specialist observed the following areas: priv room and client prep. Residents can go to the priv room when they earn privileges. The priv room has two (2) televisions and two (2) video games systems for the residents. The client storage room, where residents’ personal activity boxes are stored. Big boys hall: no residents were present during the walkthrough. Licensing Specialist observed the following bedrooms: 117, 118, 119, and 120. All bedrooms and bathroom were clean and organized. Little boys hall: Licensing Specialist observed the following bedrooms: 126, 128, and 130. All bedrooms and bathroom were clean and organized. Licensing Specialist also observed the laundry rooms, library, and seclusion room. Licensing Specialist observed the following documentation on the walls: day room schedule and emergency evacuation plans. Licensing Specialist observed the fire extinguishers on the walls during the walkthrough. Licensing Specialist reviewed MARS for the following residents: [REDACTED]. All initialed and up to date. Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

Client threatened to harm staff. Client attempted to stab staff with a colored pencil. Client got into a verbal altercation with peers. Peer tried to get the pencil away from client. When peer was unable to do this, peer pushed the client. Client punched peer several times with closed fist. Peer punched client. While staff was trying to separate the two, another peer punched the client several times with closed fist in the face until staff was able to separate them. Client was assessed by nurse and it was noted client was missing right front tooth. Tooth confiscated and appears clearly intact. Bleeding easily ceased with gauze pressure. Pain reported 6 out of 10. Superficial abrasion noted to left forearm from client scratching at arm. Area without bleeding or open areas. Licensing conducted camera review on 5/22/23. Resident can be seen on camera transitioning from the cafeteria when another group of residents is also transitioning from their unit to the cafeteria. At 7:20 you can see the resident begin arguing with a peer and staff. A peer begins to step in and punch the resident very quickly and repeatedly. Staff immediately begins removing residents out of the way to get to the resident to remove the aggressor off of the resident. Licensing spoke to the facility staff supervisor and discussed ensuring the transition of residents one group at a time through the hall to avoid large groups of children in the hall at one time. Licensing Specialist: Chelsea Vardell.

Police Report

Battery, Battery Third Degree

Officer was informed that a juvenile hit a staff member in the face with a closed fist, and had done the same thing the day before to another staff member. Officer spoke with juvenile who stated he was angry and didn’t want to be there. Officer contacted juvenile probation, who instructed officers to let him stay at facility.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Injury, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

Client threw items at the tv, peers, and staff. Client broke the remote and a chair. Client attacked staff by punching staff with closed fist. Client was placed in a TCP from 6:14pm-6:15pm. Client continued to throw items at staff. Staff observed client through the window of the door for safety measures. Client took a hoodie and wrapped it around his neck. Client picked up a piece of broken plastic and scratched himself with it on his arm. Client had redden marks on anterior of neck and superficial scratches on right forearm. No active bleeding. Client denied pain. Client was placed on assault precautions, suicide precautions and 60k focus. The broken piece of plastic came from the remote when the resident broke the remote.

5/26/23- Licensing reviewed camera footage of the incident. Licensing Specialist: Chelsea Vardell.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist completed building and grounds. Program Director escorted Licensing Specialist around the grounds of the facility. Licensing Specialist met two maintenance workers by the maintaince shed. The facility’s grounds were clean with no debris. Licensing Specialist observed basketballs around the fence in basketball court area. Licensing Specialist observed the dayroom where a family session was taking place. Ration 1:3, including the resident and his parents. The dining room area was clean.

Licensing Specialist observed the staff members’ lounge, combination locks are still being utilized for staff to lock up their belongings. Licenising Specialist observed the classrooms. Big Boys Classroom – ration 3:6. Two staff members and a teacher were observed. The residents were sitting at their desks facing the front of the class. Little Boys Classroom – ration 2:5. One teacher and on staff member were observed. Both classroom were neat and organized.

Licensing Specialist observed the emergency escape plan on different walls throught the facility. Fire extinguishers were observed in red metal cases. Licensing Specialist observed water fountains in the facility for residents to have drinking water.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

Client placed his hands around his neck and tried to choke himself. Client was placed on Suicide Precautions (SP) as well as Line of Sight (LOS) to be directly supervised by staff at all times. 2:5 at the time of the incident. 4/4/2023, Licensing Specialist received and reviewed documentation of order and nursing note. No licensing concerns noted.

Licensing Specialist informed that incident took place in the resident’s bedroom and bedroom hallway. There is no camera footage showing where resident placed his hands around his neck due to incident taking place inside of his bedroom.

PRLU or OLTC

Children's Records Review, Personnel Record Review, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.
  • Facility visited from 1pm – 2:30pm. Census: 13. Licensing reviewed 3 personnel files and 3 resident files. Citation was initially issued for R902.13 due to resident not having a copy of social security card; This was revised after staff provided documentation where resident’s social security card was requested by the caseworker.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Client was transitioning to the gym. Client did not use stair protocol and ran down the stairs. Client fell down the last three steps and landed on the right side of his face, causing [REDACTED]. Client was taken to the NEA Baptist ER. Client had [REDACTED]. The skin was glued. The x-ray revealed no fractures, no air-fluid levels, and the paranasal was clear. Client was prescribed for pain as needed. Client was reminded of the importance of following stair protocol and the dangers of not following stair protocol upon return to the facility. Licensing Specialist observed residents and staff members going down the stairs, ration 2:7. Staff members were positioned at the top and bottom of the stairs. Licensing Specialist observed the resident leaning on the rail on the wall leading down the stairs. Resident was observed sliding down the rail of the stairs and what appeared to have jumped on a stair.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.