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

Print this page

Police Report

Elopement, Juvenile Runaway, Runaway

QRTP – Upon officers arrival, staff advised 2 juveniles ran away on 04/17/23 at approximately 1840 hours. Officers made a broadcast and completed forms for the missing juveniles. On 04/27/23, officers made contact with individual who advised J1 had been staying with her for 6 days before she found out he was a runaway. Officers transported J1 to facility, where staff advised he had been gone too many days and had to be taken to DHS. DHS took custody of J1.

PRLU or OLTC

Children's Records Review, Visit Compliance Report

Children’s Records Review completed for 8 clients. One client was missing a Social Security Card. No documentation of a request for a Social Security Card could be located.

Police Report

Assault, Assault Third Degree, EMS Assist

Upon officers arrival, staff advised juvenile arrived at facility around 1630 hours and was immediately aggressive and hostile with staff. Juvenile began tearing up property in the lobby during medical assessment, and slapped a staff member after she informed another staff to call the police. Juvenile was taken to hospital via MEMS for assessment and replacement.

Police Report

Information Report

QRTP – Staff advised J1 was in a verbal disturbance with J2 and took J2s tablet. J1 also threatened to harm J2. While on scene, J1 returned the tablet.

Police Report

Criminal Mischief, Criminal Mischief First Degree, Property Damage

Staff reported that juvenile broke out 4 windows from 2 of their vans. Juvenile stated he was mad because he got beat up the other day and decided to get his anger out by breaking windows. Officer advised staff they could seek warrants for the damage.

Police Report

Missing Juvenile, Non Police Incident

Caller advised the juvenile had returned prior to officers arrival.

Police Report

Medical Emergency, Non Police Incident

Officers secured the scene for MEMS without incident.

Police Report

Missing Juvenile, Missing Person

QRTP – Staff advised juvenile did not return home after school. After officers completed missing person form, staff called back stating juvenile had returned. Officers responded to facility to confirm, and juvenile stated he missed the bus and had to walk home.

Police Report

Runaway, Runaway Juvenile

QRTP – Staff advised that juvenile left for school this morning and has not returned to the facility. Officer cleared juvenile from the last missing report and re-entered juvenile as missing in all systems.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

On 3/29/2023 placement client was in the foyer area when he palced a shirt around his neck, pulling the shirt tightly to choke himself. He continued to choke himself with the shirt until two staff members came to the foyer area and removed the shirt from his neck. Nurses were present at the time as well. Facility visited on 3/30/23. Video revied from this incident. Client is obsereved to be in the foyer area weith no staff in camera view. Approx. 3 minutes later a nurse reported by facility as not counted in staff/client ration is seen observing client with shirt around his neck. Nurse does not intervene but does stay close to client. Approx. 3 minutes after this staff are seen entering the foyer area and obtaining the shirt from client. Client was not supervised by any staff counted in the staff/client ration during a 6-minute self-harm/suicidal gesture.

Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.

Regulations out of compliance: 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. 907.3 – Staff/child ratio shall be at least 1:6 during waking hours and 1:8 during sleeping hours.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

On 3/29/2023, at 701 a.m., DHS placement client, walked on the hallway where (staff) were sitting on the hallway monitoring other clients. walked over to one side of chair looking for her walkie talkie, then he went to the other side of and plucked her in the head. stands up, stating to “boy leave me alone”. reaches up to pluck again and she reacted quickly by yelling stop and hitting in the face with the clipboard. then continue to walk toward she extended her arm to keep him away from her by using a little push. reported that she accidentally hit with the clipboard while trying to prevent him from plucking her. A report was completed and the report was only documented and awaiting review from a supervisor to determine if the report will be accepted or not. The referral number is [REDACTED].

Corrective action plan: was suspended immediately due to pending investigation.
Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.

Regulations out of compliance: 109.1.g – Unprofessional conduct in the practice of child welfare activities shall include, but not limited to the following: Engaging in behavior that could be viewed as sexual, dangerous, exploitative, or physically harmful to children.

Police Report

Runaway, Runaway Juvenile

QRTP – Officers responded for a runaway juvenile call. Officers located J1 and J2 and returned them to the facility while enroute to the call. J3 returned shortly before officers arrived on scene. While officers spoke with staff, J4, J5, J6, J7, and J8 ran away. The juveniles were entered into ACIC.

Police Report

Elopement, Runaway, Runaway Juvenile

QRTP – Staff advised 2 juveniles left the residence in an unknown direction at approximately 1000 hours. At 2128, both juveniles were cleared from all systems as missing and officers responded to verify juveniles had returned to the residence. Officers observed J1 to be incoherent and MEMS transported him to the hospital.

PRLU or OLTC

Personnel Record Review, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Personnel records reviewed for 10 staff. Citations issued for missing records in 1 staff member’s file; Missing records due by 04/24/23.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 105.15.f – Documentation not in file that employee was made aware they are a mandated reporter of suspected child maltreatment and have been given information on how to make a report.
    • 105.15.g – Functional job description not in file.
    • 105.15.h – 3 positive personal references from non-relatives not in file.
    • 107.4 – Documentation not in file that employee was made aware of the need to protect the confidentiality of children in the use of social media.

PRLU or OLTC

Technical Assistance, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Review of the agency’s current policy “Reporting Instances of Abuse or Neglect” determined it does not comply with Arkansas state law requirements on mandated reporting. Please ensure facility policy is updated to reflect the need of all staff to report directly to the child abuse hotline without delay. The new policy shall be submitted to the Licensing Unit by 04/07/23 and all applicable staff shall be retrained on the updated policy by 04/21/23.
  • TA –
    • 102.3.h -Child Maltreatment/Mandated Reporter policy; according to Arkansas law, including, procedures to ensure that alleged, suspected, or witnessed incidents of maltreatment are reported to the Child Maltreatment Hotline, and documented as required by these or other applicable rule or laws.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

On 3/23/23 , age DOB client, was playing basketball in the gym with peers. jammed his finger. It swelled up a little bit and an x-ray was ordered. Xray came out yesterday and there was no findings of fracture and everything was normal.

Police Report

Runaway

QRTP – Staff advised officer that juvenile ran away from the location. Peers overheard the juvenile state he was going to walk to the Methodist Day Treatment School. Officers checked the school and circulated the area with negative results. Juvenile was entered into system as runaway.

PRLU or OLTC

Monitor Visit, Visit Compliance Report

  • Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer.
  • Buildings & Grounds conducted from 9am – 10am. Census: 28. Classrooms (4), foyer, hallway, Halls A & B, outside recreation area, and cafeteria observed. MARs checked for 5 residents.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 908.8 – According to MAR, AM meds are to be distributed at 0800. At 0922 the AM meds were not initialed. The nurse indicated that AM meds were distributed at 0800 but had not been initialed yet. The facility will retrain and reiterate the importance of logging medications at the time of administration.

Police Report

Non Police Incident

Caller advised juvenile ran from the location, but returned prior to officer’s arrival. Officer made contact with caller to confirm.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

  • Peer Altercation
    • Client got into a verbal and physical altercation with peer. Staff intervened and took client off the unit to keep the residents separated. Child Abuse Hotline was called, not accepted. Clients were placed on 10-foot precautions and separate sleeping halls.
    • Licensing follow-up: Staff reported the hotline was called due to the age difference between the residents (12y/o and 17y/o). Licensing visited facility on 03/14/23 and reviewed video: Client was in the foyer area with 1 staff member and peer; Client began swinging at staff as to hit him, and staff was observed holding out his arm to block client from hitting him. Client then attacked peer, and staff member immediately intervened. Additional staff assisted and client eventually deescalated.
  • TA –
    • 907.2 – Staff member will be retrained on asking for staff assistance when needed. Staff should have called for assistance sooner as well as had a walkie talkie to immediately request assistance.

Police Report

Criminal Mischief First Degree

Staff advised juvenile was kicking the wall and causing damage to the building due to believing his property was taken. Staff stated his property was not taken, and his caseworker was contacted regarding the situation. Juvenile advised he did kick the wall and agreed to return to his room.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

  • Accidental Injury
    • While in the gym, client got out of line and put his hand behind a door handle. The door handle and wall pinned his hand slightly. Client was assessed and an ice pack was provided. Due to client complaining of pain, an x-ray was conducted on 03/09/23 and 03/11/23, with no fractures found.
    • Licensing follow-up: Client remains at facility. Continue to monitor.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Sexual Contact, Visit Compliance Report

  • Peer Sexual Contact
    • While on the phone with his mother on 03/12/23, client stated a peer touched him inappropriately and showed him his private parts on 03/08/23. Consultant was notified and visited facility to speak with client and review video footage. During video review, both clients were in the hallway horseplaying, and the peer pulled his pants down and exposed himself to client at 7:04am. At 7:09am, peer was seen entering client’s room and the door shuts; A few seconds later, the door re-opens with peer’s hand leaving client’s private area (both were dressed). Child Abuse Hotline was called on 03/13/23 and documented. Both residents were placed on separate hallways, 10-foot restriction, and the peer will be on SAO precautions.
    • Licensing follow-up: Facility visited on 03/14/23 and video reviewed. Licensing made another hotline report due to staff not supervising the residents during this incident (report not accepted). Facility will conduct an in-service and retraining of staff where they will review footage and retrain on the 15-minute check policy/procedure and monitoring position while on the unit.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 907.2 – No staff were present on the hallway during this incident.
    • 907.3 – No staff were present on the hallway during this incident.
  • TA –
    • 110.9.a – Staff were made aware of this incident on 03/12/23 but did not report to the hotline until 03/13/23 (Child Abuse Hotline shall be notified immediately if there is reasonable cause to suspect child maltreatment). Facility response: The term “immediately” is up for interpretation; The hotline was called within 24 hrs of knowledge of the incident.

PRLU or OLTC

Maltreatment, Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

  • Suicide Attempt, Maltreatment
    • Client tied socks together and wrapped them around her neck. Staff intervened and removed the socks, and client was sent to an acute placement.
    • Licensing follow-up: Facility visited on 03/09/23 and camera footage reviewed. Client is seen stepping half-way out of her room with a sock around her neck, stating, “I’m killing myself right now.” No staff were seen in the hallway at this time. Client’s peer immediately goes to get a staff member, who within less than a minute enters the room. The staff member is then seen pulling client on the floor out of her room by her shirt, dragging her down the hallway, and placing her against the wall. Additional staff are then seen assisting, with no further incident. Licensing called the Child Abuse Hotline, and the report was screened out. Facility will review video, and the staff member involved will attend the next available CPI class and receive a written warning regarding professionalism.
  • Regs out of compliance –
    • 907.2 – No staff were observed in the hallway when client made suicidal statement.
    • 907.3 – No staff were observed in the hallway when client made suicidal statement.
    • 109.1.g – Staff used an unsafe escort to remove client from room.