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

Corrective Action Agreement

  • The following non-compliance areas have been cited during the past six months:
    • 907.2 Ratio & Supervision – Facility was cited for not providing care and treatment necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of each child multiple times since 1/1/2021.
    • 905.4 (g) – Facility was cited for the use of physical injury or threat of bodily harm as a form of behavior management multiple times since 1/1/2021.
    • 905.4 (h) – The following actions shall not be used, including as discipline: h. Humiliating or degrading action.
    • 905.9 – Facility cited for staff failing to use minimal force and time necessary during restraints performed on residents.
    • 905.11 – Facility cited for nursing staff administering chemical restraints to children that did not require emergency behavioral intervention on video footage or photos.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Census: 21 total with 1 female out at an acute facility. Ratios reviewed. Milieu, sleeping quarters, and classrooms were in good order.
  • Specialist checked med logs for 4 residents with no regs out of compliance.

Police Report

Battery Third Degree

QRTP – Juvenile1 stated that Juvenile2 bullies him; J1 stated J2 asked him to get cigarettes and when he did, staff asked where the smoke smell came from. J1 stated he told on J2 so he wouldn’t get in trouble. J1 stated J2 followed him outside and began punching him; No injuries observed. J2 stated J1 was bullying other kids so he decided to “handle it.”

Police Report

Disturbance

Staff stated Juvenile1 was acting out and threatening to drink hand sanitizer to harm himself. MEMS was called and responded to scene. Staff and MEMS agreed J1 would stay at facility and speak to counselor.

Police Report

Assault Third Degree

QRTP – Staff stated Juvenile1 started a fight with Juvenile2. No injuries observed. Staff stated Juvenile3 broke the fight up and J1 continued to get in J3s face. J1 stated J2 was talking about how he could beat up certain people at facility, and attempted to shut the refrigerator door on him while he was getting milk. J1 stated J2 pushed him first and that’s when the fight started. J2 stated he was protecting himself and J1 approached and hit him first.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Census: 6 boys and 17 girls, total 22. Ratios reviewed. No issues found during walk-through.
  • Specialist checked med logs for 4 residents with no regs out of compliance.

Police Report

Assault First Degree

Staff stated Juvenile had been kicking several individuals at facility. Staff advised when he told Juvenile to stop, Juvenile kicked him 3 times in the leg. Staff stated when he placed Juvenile in office, Juvenile began kicking at the door trying to leave. Juvenile stated to Officers that he was only playing.

PRLU or OLTC

Incident Report

  • Incident-Founded-incident involving child IC and another child getting into a verbal altercation:
    • 905.4.c- IS made derogatory comments toward the child.
    • 905.4.d- The following actions shall not be used, including as discipline: d. Derogatory comments about the child, the child’s family, race, or gender. (IS used obscene language).
    • 905.4.h-telling the child that staff member was glad he didn’t care if he went to jail.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Specialist and Program Coordinator conducted inspection and reviewed med logs with no regs out of compliance. Girl’s group room had 3 staff and 16 kids (1 girl at dentist); Boy’s milieu had 1 staff to 4 kids. No issues found during walk-through.

Police Report

Missing Person

QRTP – Staff stated Juveniles roommate advised her he ran away. At 0700 hours, Staff were informed by DHS that Juvenile was at hospital. Juvenile stated he took what he believed to be Zanex and attempted to kill himself by cutting. Juvenile stated he ran away because he wanted to be with his sister and mother, and felt like killing his father who left him when he was little. Social worker stated he was going to put Juvenile in Pinnacle Point and then to an acute long time care facility.

Police Report

Information Report

QRTP – Staff advised Juvenile returned and there was no need to file a missing persons report. Officers made contact with Juvenile, who stated he did not runaway but was going to the gate to get his door dash order.

Police Report

Complainant Not Located

Officers could not locate complainant; No answer on call back.

PRLU or OLTC

Buildings and Grounds, Incident Follow Up

Building and Grounds and follow up on incidents dated 8/16/21 and 8/6/21 both found true and cited for 905.4.g – The following actions shall not be used, including as discipline: g. Physical injury or threat of bodily harm. 907.3 – Staff/child ratio shall be at least 1:6 during waking hours and 1:8 during sleeping hours. and 908.9.d – The medication log shall include: d. Initials of the person administering the medication.

  • Cited for 907.3—I reviewed video of an incident/fight that took place between two 15-Year-Old males.  The staff to child ratio at the time of the fight was out of compliance and was 1 staff to 8 children.
  • Cited for 905.4.g—video reviewed of an incident that took place on 8/6/21 involving IS (Involved Staff)— and IC (Involved Child).  While reviewing the video, IS was observed striking the IC in the face when the child grabbed IS’s arm.  IS did not attempt to get away but stepped forward and struck the child.  Another IS2 intervened and separated the two.  Corrective Action was requested by PRLU and the staff was terminated that day.  This was called back into the hotline by PRLU staff member Steven Pitts and as accepted. 
  • Cited for 908.9.d—Med logs were improperly filled out.
  • Cited for 905.4.c – The following actions shall not be used, including as discipline: c. Lewd or obscene language. (Laughing at IC was degrading, derogatory comments were made).
  • Cited for 905.4.h The following actions shall not be used, including as discipline: h. Humiliating or degrading action. (Patient was told by staff that they were glad he didn’t care if he went to jail).

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Injury – Assault
    • Client and peer got into argument and client walked up to peer and started punching him. Staff intervened and separated them both. Peer’s nose and mouth were bleeding, and he was transferred to ER. A non-emergency number was called, and the police came out; Client was charged with 3rd degree battery. Peer was diagnosed with Posttraumatic deformity of the nasal septum and was instructed to follow up with an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist within the next week.
    • Both residents were restricted to come within 10 feet of each other. Specialist visited facility on 8/19/21 to view video footage of incident; The staff to child ratio was 1 staff to 8 children according to the video. Agency was cited for 907.3 – Ensure staff to child ratios are in compliance with the minimum licensing standards for PRTF facilities. Specialist advised facility to call hotline due to inadequate supervision. Child Abuse Hotline was called, not accepted. Specialist instructed the administration to retrain involved staff and provide documentation.

Police Report

Battery Third Degree

Staff stated Juvenile1 punched Juvenile2 in nose after altercation, Juvenile2 sent to ACH for treatment. Juvenile1 stated Juvenile2 provoked him by “talking crap” to him; Juvenile2 stated Juvenile1 repeatedly bullies him and punched him out of nowhere; Juvenile 2s nose was broken.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Accidental Injury
    • Client tripped over the door stopper in the gym while playing kickball. Client injured her wrist when she fell, and X-ray was ordered after the nurse assessed. Client’s X-ray returned normal, and no broken/fractured bones were found.
    • Specialist reviewed video of incident and saw no issues with supervision (2:8 staff to kids ratio) or how staff responded to the injury.

Police Report

Disturbance

Officers responded in reference to a report by a refused complainant of an unknown male having assaulted her. Phone pinged at location, but officers could not locate complainant after circulating area and two callbacks. Officers also checked with staff, who stated they were unaware of situation.

Police Report

Information Report

Officers circulated the area and attempted multiple callbacks after a 911 hangup with negative results.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Survey with POC, Revisit Survey, Workload Report

  • Complaint #AR00026923 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026924 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026925 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026926 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026927 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026933 unsubstantiated. Complaint #AR00026934 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026935 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026937 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026939 unsubstantiated. Complaint #AR00026940 substantiated. Complaint #AR00026941 substantiated.
    • N 100 – Facility failed to ensure clients were free from restraint and or seclusion use for discipline purposed for 4 clients.
    • N126 – Facility failed to ensure clients were free from restraint and or seclusion use for discipline purposed for 4 clients who had documented restraint and/or seclusion.
    • N127 – Facility failed to ensure clients’ medication regimens were free of chemical restraints ordered on an as-needed (PRN) basis for 7 clients who had orders for as needed chemical restraints.
    • N128 – Facility failed to ensure no injury occurred during a physical restraint for 3 clients who had documented use of restraints and or seclusion.
    • N129 – Facility failed to ensure restraint and seclusion were only used in an emergency situation for 6 clients who had restraints and/or seclusion.
    • N130 – Facility failed to ensure an Emergency Safety Intervention was discontinued after the emergency situation had ceased for 4 clients who had documented restraint and/or seclusion.
    • N131 – Facility failed to ensure restraint and seclusion were not used simultaneously to assure the safety of the clients for 7 clients who received a chemical restraint and were placed in a physical restraint and seclusion.
    • N132 – Facility failed to ensure a restraint was conducted in a safe and appropriate manner to prevent potential injury for 1 client reviewed for restraint and/or seclusion.
    • N135 – Facility failed to ensure an Authorization / Consent / Release document was signed by the clients’ parents / legal guardian at the time of admission for 6 clients who were admitted to the facility.
    • N136 – Facility failed to ensure a copy of the facility’s Restraint and Seclusion policy was received by the client’s parents/legal guardian at the time of admission for 8 clients who were admitted to the facility.
    • N140 – Facility failed to ensure physician orders were obtained for all restraints and seclusion utilized for 12 clients who had restraints and/or seclusion implemented.
    • N142 – Facility failed to ensure the least restrictive Emergency Safety Intervention was ordered and that less restrictive measures were attempted prior to application of a restraint or seclusion for 5 clients.
    • N145 – Facility failed to ensure a face-to-face assessment was conducted within one hour after initiating a restraint to protect client rights for 3 clients who had been restrained.
    • N149 – Facility failed to ensure Emergency Safety Interventions were documented and in the clients’ record to assure an accurate and complete record of the events leading up to, during, and after the intervention for 11 clients who required an ESI.
    • N155 – Facility failed to ensure all Emergency Safety Interventions (ESIs) were documented on a cumulative log to enable tracking of the interventions used and the outcomes for 12 clients who had ESIs performed.
    • N170 – Facility failed to ensure staff provided continuous visual monitoring while clients were in the seclusion rooms to assure the physical and psychological well-being of the client for 3 clients who had been placed in seclusion.
    • N188 – Facility failed to ensure all staff who participated in ESIs were present during the client debriefing to provide the client and staff with an opportunity to analyze the events surrounding the ESI and determine if any changes in the clients’ treatment plans were needed for 7 clients who had ESIs performed.
    • N189 – Facility failed to ensure all staff who participated in ESIs were present during the staff debriefing to provide the staff with an opportunity to analyze the events surrounding the ESI and determine if any changes in the clients’ treatment plans were needed for 6 clients who had ESIs performed.
    • N202 – Facility failed to ensure staff involved in an Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) that resulted in client injuries met with supervisory staff to evaluate the circumstances that caused the injuries and developed and implemented a plan to prevent further potential injuries for 1 client who received an injury during a personal restraint.
    • N207 – Facility failed to ensure a serious occurrence was reported to the State Agency as required, to enable the agency to provide any needed oversight of the facility’s investigation for 1 client whose records were reviewed for serious occurrences.
  • 09.30.21 Revisit Survey found facility still not in substantial compliance with participation requirements. Regs out of compliance:
    • N 135 – Facility failed to ensure an Authorization/Consent/Release document for use of Emergency Safety Interventions (ESIs) was signed by the client’s parents/legal guardian at the time of admission for 4 clients.
    • N 149 – Facility failed to ensure an Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) was documented and in the client’s record to assure an accurate and complete record of the events leading up to, during, and after the intervention for 1 client who had an ESI.
    • N 207 – Facility failed to ensure a serious occurrence was reported to the State Agency as required, to enable the agency to provide any needed oversight of the facility’s investigation for 1 client.
  • 11.03.21 Revisit Survey (no POC provided from 09.30.21 Revisit) found facility in compliance with program requirements. No new noncompliance was found.
  • Survey Team Composition and Workload Report –
    • Surveyor 1 onsite 61.25 hours 8am – 6pm; 8 travel hours, 47 off-site report prep hours (08/02/21 – 08/13/21).
    • Surveyor 2 onsite 61.25 hours 8am – 6pm; 8 travel hours, 8.75 off-site report prep hours (08/02/21 – 08/13/21).
    • Surveyor 3 onsite 61.25 hours 8am – 6pm; 5 travel hours, 47 off-site report prep hours (08/02/21 – 08/13/21).
    • One surveyor onsite 19 hours 8am – 6pm; 4 travel hours, 7.5 off-site report prep hours (09/28/21 – 09/30/21).
    • Two surveyors onsite 6.25 hours each, 8am – 6pm; 0.5 travel hours each. Surveyor 2: 1 off-site report prep hours (11/03/21).

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident

  • Maltreatment
    • Client attempted to self-harm and tie clothing around her neck, scratching staff when they tried to intervene. After staff took clothing away from client, client became more aggressive attempting to attack staff. Client was placed in a restraint and received a chemical due to her behavior. Child Abuse Hotline was called and initially not accepted.
    • Once video was reviewed by facility it was discovered that staff member appeared to strike the child and it was said that the staff member used a profanity and lost her cool during the situation. The staff member was put on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.  
    • Specialist received email about the incident on 8/6/21 and asked for incident report from facility administrator. Specialist received report on 8/19/21; Specialist visited facility on 8/19/21 and reviewed video of the incident. Specialist confirmed staff member striking the child, and cited the agency for 905.4.g – The following action shall not be used, including as discipline: Physical Injury or threat of bodily harm. Specialist advised staff to call incident back into hotline. Specialist followed up the next day and discovered the report was screened out; Specialist called the hotline, and it was accepted. Specialist received a call from the assigned investigator for an interview.

Police Report

Criminal Mischief Second Degree

Staff stated he took the kids to Dairy Queen and no one would buy Juvenile anything. When they returned to facility, Juvenile was upset and started to throw items around the room and at window. Juvenile also kicked Staff’s vehicle several times. Juvenile was transported to Children’s Hospital.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

  • Specialist conducted inspection of the girl’s unit with no regs out of compliance; The boy’s unit is currently quarantined due to Covid-19.
  • Specialist reviewed med logs for 4 children with no regs out of compliance. Current census 25 with 10 boys and 15 girls.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Founded

A complaint was received regarding a chemical restraint used on June 21st, 2021.  After reviewing the still shots and video, it was noted that the child was seated and calm with the chemical restraint was used:

  • 905.11- Chemical restraints shall be used only if ordered by a Physician. A chemical restraint is an emergency behavioral intervention that uses pharmaceuticals by topical application, oral administration, injection, or other means to modify a child’s behavior. (Per this regulation, a chemical restraint should only be used if an emergency behavioral intervention is needed. Licensing recommends re-training staff on written policy governing the use of behavioral control measures with children to be completed by 10/09/21).

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Founded

When investigating an incident involving the elopement of multiple kids on 4/28/21, pictures and video were reviewed. The finding for the complaint is founded as the agency violated the following standards:

  • 905.11- (See above for definition)- Chemical restraints were used on multiple children that appeared to be compliant and not agitated upon return to the facility
  • 905.4.h – The following actions shall not be used, including as discipline: Humiliating or degrading action. (One child was injected and forced to pull his pants down in the hallway in front of others. PRLU considered this to be humiliating or degrading action).

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint Founded

Visit to UMCH conducted to follow up on an incident report. More information was requested and has not been provided yet:

  • 907.2 – (See above for definition) Provider reported incident dated 6/27/21 regarding an incident that took placed on 5/11/21. Staff was off the hall for a minimum of one hour and children were left unattended.
    • 907.6- (See above for definitions) Staff failed to provide 30-minute checks during sleeping hours.