Disability Rights Arkansas

United Methodist Children's Home 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]

Methodist Children’s Home operates multiple programs on a single campus. Police responses to this campus often do not identify the program they are responding to. All reports plausibly related to the PRTF or Qualified Residential Treatment Program/Group Home (QRTP) have been included here. Where we can be certain the response was to the QRTP it is noted.

Location: Little Rock, AR                   Population Served: Children and adolescents in need of out of home psychiatric care in a residential setting

# of residents per unit: 20 Residents per room: 1 Capacity: 40

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: LCSW                    Therapists: 1 full-time therapist (LCSW)

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

UMCH LR Report (combined)

Photo Appendix to report

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PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Client got upset at a peer and began to punch his mattress that he placed against the wall with his right hand. Staff heard the noise and investigated. Staff asked him to stop and he complied. He was assessed by nursing and an x-ray was ordered. Findings were type 3 fracture of the first digit proximal phalanx. Mild lateral overlying soft tissue swelling, minimally rounded fracture edges indicate a probable subacute etiology. Client will be placed on suicidal and assaultive precautions, line of sight 24/7, no sharps spork watch.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Redacted, Visit Compliance Report

Reported to AR Child Abuse Hotline outside of facility: Client had a piece of paper and refused to give it to staff, and the staff member grabbed her arm and tried to remove the paper from her hand. Client alleged the staff dug her nails into her arm and hand while trying to remove the paper. Reporter stated the client has fingernail marks/cuts on her arm that are starting to scab over. The date this occurred is unknown.

9/18/24: Investigator visited facility to interview the client, and the Director informed them that the client was on the unit self-harming at the moment. Director retrieved client from the unit and escorted her to the Intake room. Shortly after, yelling was heard from the Intake room and the Investigator came out and stated that she was done. It was observed that client had blood running down her arm. The Investigator reported that client picked at her arm in front of her and client’s arm began to bleed. Client was verbally disrespectful and hostile. The Investigator reported the client said she was mad because her mother gave her the jacket that was taken from her. The Director reported that the jacket was taken because she was using it to hide self-harm. The Investigator informed the Director that the report would be closed out on this date. The alleged staff member was also interviewed, and safety plan for client was provided.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Slade

Program Coordinator reviewed complaint and requested more information from the Investigator.

CACD case found unsubstantiated. This complaint has been unfounded by Licensing.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

While on an outing at the trampoline park, client went down a zip line and injured his nose upon dismounting into the foam pit. He stated he tried to flip into the foam and his knee hit his face. He was assessed by the nurse upon return to the facility and an x-ray was ordered. There were significant findings of nondisplaced nasal bone fractures. Client was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital where he was medically cleared. No additional interventions needed.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Redacted, Visit Compliance Report

On 9/3/24, camera footage was reviewed of an incident with a client on 8/29/24. The client was observed banging her head on the walls and floor. She aggressively went toward a much younger peer, age 9. Client began going after, spitting on, and attacking staff. At approximately 7:52 pm, the client was moving aggressively toward staff, slapping at staff. The staff member was observed grabbing the client’s sweatshirt and pushing her to the ground. A report was made to the AR Child Abuse Hotline.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Slade

Program Coordinator reviewed camera footage on 9/5/24. The staff member was observed trying to prevent the resident from going into an office while the resident was displaying aggression toward staff. It did not appear that the staff member was trying to cause harm/danger to the resident. It did appear that the resident may have lost her balance (she had on socks) when displaying aggression toward the staff members. Program Coordinator suggested the staff member be retrained, and the facility reported the staff will be retrained in CPI.

11/21/2024- Information received revealed that the original report may have listed the A/O (alleged offender) as another child at the facility. This is incorrect; therefore another [redacted] (another report was made). Referral was screened out.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Redacted, Visit Compliance Report

Client was transported to Methodist Behavioral Health due to her ongoing aggressive behavior, and while there she accused staff of choking her. A report was made to the AR Child Abuse Hotline and accepted. Facility: After review of camera footage from 3 supervisors, it was determined that this did NOT happen.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Slade

Program Coordinator visited facility and reviewed camera footage on 9/5/24: The resident was observed being verbally and physically aggressive towards staff, and was placed in a restraint briefly and then released. Staff member was observed removing themselves from the situation and entering the BI’s office. Resident then started wrapping her sweater around her neck, and staff were observed walking back into the foyer area to remove the sweater while the resident resisted. “Licensing is not prepared to leave a finding at this time.” Facility provided the nursing note and reported that was the only restraint that resident had been placed in on day of incident. ICA for staff approved by Licensing.

9/26/24 – CACD case unsubstantiated. This complaint has been unfounded by Licensing.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident complained of right hand/wrist pain. An x-ray was ordered.

Diagnosis: No fracture or dislocation noted. Orders included ibuprofen for pain as needed.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

A resident and peer were involved in an altercation. Staff intervened. The residents were placed on a 10-foot restriction, moved to a different hall, and removed from the same group. No injuries occurred due to this altercation.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident injured his ankle while participating in a group structure activity. The resident was evaluated and an x-ray was ordered.

Diagnosis: No acute fracture or dislocation.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Resident became upset and began kicking a metal door. Resident was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) for treatment. Diagnosis: Laceration of the 5th toe on the right foot; Open fracture of the phalanx of the right 5th toe.

The resident was placed on assault precautions and unit restriction. The resident was later admitted to the hospital due to an infection of the injury.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Resident was not following instructions and pushed a staff member as she was walking out the door. The staff member backhanded the resident, hitting him in the face. Other staff members told the staff member to leave the room. The resident refused to be assessed by the nurse after the incident. When he was later assessed, he showed no markings or bruises. The staff member who struck the resident was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice

Program Coordinator visited the facility to review the video footage. The staff member was observed backhanding the resident in the footage.

Facility was cited for 109.1.g: Staff engaged in unprofessional conduct that could be viewed as physically harmful to a child, 110.9.a: The facility failed to immediately report the incident to the child abuse hotline, 905.4.g: Staff used physical harm as a form of behavior management.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice

Census: 38

Program Coordinator conducted an annual review of policies for the facility. All policies complied with minimum licensing standards.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice

Program Coordinator completed buildings and grounds. The following areas were observed: administration building, chapel, dayroom, classrooms, group room, laundry rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and foyer area.

All bedrooms were organized and the bathrooms were clean. No licensing concerns were observed during the buildings and grounds walkthrough.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Sexual Contact, Visit Compliance Report

Resident reported that a peer touched him between his legs. He requested to be 10 feet from his peer. Residents were placed on 10-foot restrictions and the peer will be moved to a different room.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice

Program Coordinator visited the facility to review the camera footage. Residents were sitting at desks in a classroom. Ratio 4:13. The resident and his peer were observed sitting side by side in the back of the room. The peer was observed making several attempts to reach over to the resident and touch the resident between the elbow and shoulder area. The resident was observed moving over to the other side of the desk so that his peer could not touch him. Program Coordinator did not observe the peer touch the resident inappropriately.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist: Tara Norton

Census: 30; Licensing Specialist Norton and Program Coordinator Rice completed full buildings and grounds for United Methodist Children’s Home Little Rock Campus.

The following areas were observed: bedrooms in A and B Hallways, bathrooms, administration building, direct care office, dining room, multi-purpose room, day rooms, art room, and classrooms. The boys’ hallways and bathrooms were not observed due to several residents being on “sick rule” at the time of the inspection.

The bedrooms in A Hallway and bedrooms in B Hallway were all single bedrooms and were clean and sanitary. All furnishings were safe, clean, and in good repair. Bathrooms were being cleaned by housekeeping and smelled of cleaning supplies.

Classroom (2105) was observed during instructional time and had a ratio of 3:7.

Classroom (1130) had a ratio of 2:6.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Client got upset and hit/punched walls. He complained of hand pain, and an x-ray was ordered.

Results are, no broken bones or soft tissue swelling/inflammation. Client will be placed on Assault Precautions and a focus system for this behavior.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

Client was involved in a verbal altercation with another client. The verbal altercation became physical and the client hit another client. His hand swelled up and an x-ray was ordered.

X-ray findings: Repeat fracture of the left distal 5th metacarpal and lateral hand soft tissue swelling. Client received a brace. His precautions are: Assault, focus system, and line of sight 24/7 due to wearing the brace, and 10 ft from the other client.

Licensing Specialist: Tara Norton

Licensing Specialist visited the facility to review video footage. Three female staff members present at the time of the altercation failed to intervene.

Facility cited for 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.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

Resident was in the dayroom along with 3 staff members, when Peer1 open hand slapped him in the face. Peer1 stated he slapped the resident because Resident wouldn’t stop humming. Later that day during hygiene prep, all clients began walking to the foyer area to get in the shower, when Peer2 and Peer3 were horseplaying and tried to hit Resident. Peer2 ran down the hall and pushed Resident back inside of the bedroom, and Peer1 walked down the hallway and went inside of Resident’s room. Peer1 then came out of the room as staff was coming out down the hall. A hotline report was made due to the age difference of Resident (11) and Peer1 (16) – Not accepted for investigation.

Licensing Specialist: Tara Norton

5/1/24 – Licensing visited facility and reviewed video footage of incident. Older male client slaps younger resident across the face. A staff member is heard telling the client that he can be charged for slapping the resident, and that he could’ve moved from the table. Client is observed throwing a plastic bucket containing pieces of paper across the room. Staff continue sitting at the table, and a staff member is heard verbally redirecting the client. The client turns his back to everyone and places his forehead against a wall. At this point, Ms. Rouse informed Licensing that nothing else happens in the video, but that eventually the resident and client were separated without further incident.

The residents are on assault precaution, meaning they should be 10 feet from one another.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Visit Compliance Report

Resident became upset due to her peers discussing a topic about bullying. She transitioned to the cafeteria for dinner and was still upset. Anthony (staff) asked Resident to take a self-timeout. Resident went into the hallway for her self-timeout and began cursing. Anthony (staff) began redirecting her behavior by using the Teaching Family Model. Resident kicked the hallway door twice, injuring her right foot. Nurse Brittany assessed the foot and contacted the on-call medical doctor. An x-ray was ordered and completed. There were no findings of a fracture or dislocation.

Licensing Specialist: Tara Norton

  • Facility cited for 110.17 for late reporting (The agency shall notify the Licensing Unit by the next business day of serious injuries requiring emergency medical treatment, agency vehicle accidents, arrests, elopements, suicide attempts, or deaths, and maintain documentation of the incident and notification).

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Survey

A Complaint Investigation survey was conducted on April 4, 2024. Complaint (AR00032493) related to restraints and seclusions the facility was found to be in compliance with federal regulations.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Resident reported allegations while in acute care of a staff member at the PRTF slapping and grabbing her. Staff member has been suspended pending investigation. A report was made to the AR Child Abuse Hotline and accepted for investigation.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Facility reported that resident who made the allegations was the same resident who attacked the staff member named in the complaint, and caused the staff member to seek medical attention. Licensing team reviewed camera footage. During camera review, client can be heard informing the staff member she was going to tell, and the staff was heard stating “I don’t give a shit who you tell.” Staff was not observed slapping or grabbing the resident.

  • Facility cited (110.12): Agency shall notify Licensing Unit by the next business day when a report of maltreatment is accepted by the child abuse hotline.
  • Facility cited (109.1): Unprofessional conduct toward resident.

The CACD case was found unsubstantiated. Licensing investigation determined allegation of slapping/grabbing is unfounded. Staff will complete retraining prior to returning to directly work with residents.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Client injured his right ankle while playing kickball. He tripped over a peer’s foot and landed wrong on his ankle. Nurse assessed foot and contacted the on-call medical doctor. The doctor on-call ordered an x-ray. X-ray results: No findings of an acute fracture.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Census: 30. Building and Grounds completed. The following areas were observed: bedrooms, bathrooms, administration building, exam room, gym, cafeteria, seclusion rooms, therapy offices, group rooms, nurse’s station, courtyard, phone rooms, laundry room, library, day rooms, and art room.

Upon arrival, staff and residents were observed loading into two vans. Per facility, they were going on an outing. MARs were reviewed. All initialed and up to date.

Police Report

Battery

Officer made contact with a staff member, who reported that she was attacked by a juvenile at the Methodist Children’s Home where she is a behavioral instructor.

The staff member said the juvenile pulled her hair, punched her in the right shoulder and grabbed her wrist then twisted it in way that she believed it to be injured. Medical documentation provided by the staff member showed that there was no definite evidence of a fracture or acute bone abnormality. The officer did observe injuries consistent with her statement, bruising to her right shoulder and bruising to her left wrist.

The staff member said the facility had the incident on camera. Officer advised the staff member to obtain the video footage and take it with her and a copy of this report to the prosecutor’s office to file for a warrant.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt

Client went to the nurse station to ask for a PRN due to being upset around 2pm. When nurse was getting the client the PRN, client stuck her hand into the nurse window grabbing a bottle of Ibuprofen. Client ran down the hallway and refused to give it to staff, opening up the bottle and ingesting undisclosed amount. Client ran into the restroom before staff could get it out of the client’s mouth. MEMS transported client to Children’s Hospital. All bloodwork and tests conducted were normal, and Oral Fluid Challenge was completed. Client returned to the facility.

Facility reported resident was already on suicidal precautions and remains on the precautions. Moving forward, staff will always be present at the window when clients are asking for medicine. Nursing staff will close window if they move from the nurse window area, and an area has been taped off where “items” should not be.