Disability Rights Arkansas

Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

*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: Springdale, AR                   Population Served: Adolescent girls ages 7-17

# of residents per unit: Up to 12 Residents per room: 2 Capacity: 32

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Weekly calls up to 3x/week for 10 minutes, intervention call available 1x/week for 10 minutes. Visitation available 2x/week for 30 minutes if previously scheduled. Zoom available if in person is not possible.

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

Treatment Components:

Clinical Director: LCSW                    Therapists: 2 full-time therapists (1 LMSW, 1 LAC)

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

# of individual therapy sessions/week: Varies by client, most clients receive one individual therapy session per month

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: 3

 

DRA Monitoring/Investigations

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PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Resident injured her toe by climbing on the metal part of a volleyball net. The resident was sent to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Emergency Room per physician’s orders after nursing assessed a cut to the bottom of the resident’s left toe.

The resident received stitches and a Tetanus shot. She was discharged with a topical cream to apply twice daily.

7/3/3024 – A visit was conducted at the facility to inspect the volleyball netting equipment. Licensing discussed adding some padding to the base where the metal knob is exposed or increasing supervision when the residents are in the gym with facility staff.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Sexual Contact, Visit Compliance Report

Resident reported that her peer touched her on her lower front. Her peer reported that the resident touched her on her butt.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

A visit to the facility was conducted to discuss the incident and review supervision. Video footage was reviewed for supervision and bed checks.

Complaint was UNFOUNDED by Licensing.

Police Report

Police Report, Sex Offence

Officers were dispatched to the facility regarding a complaint of sexual assault made by a resident. The resident reported that she had been assaulted by one of her peers.

The incident was investigated. Findings suggest the incident occurred but was consensual.

Open case was moved to inactive.

Police Report

Fire Alarm, Police Report

Officers were notified that the facility was performing a fire alarm test.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Complaint received: We received a report about a resident being arrested and charged with second degree battery for hitting a staff member. After reviewing video of the incident, we realized the description of the event was misleading and did not match the events described in the report. The situation could have been prevented if staff had left the resident in the seclusion room instead of dragging her to the unit. Staff failed to de-escalate the situation and used police and a behavior management tool. We are seeing too many facilities using police as behavior management, resulting in children being charged with crimes. Another issue observed in the video was the child getting a chemical restraint after she was calm for 10 minutes. In summary: Before the assault on the nurse occurs, the resident is sitting calmly in the seclusion room. She does not becom dysregulated until staff pick her up and drag her out of the room and back to the unit. In between the time the resident hit staff and was separated from her peers until the nurses enter to give her a shot (16 minutes), she sat still and didn’t move.The report says that after police left, the resident assaulted staff again. No evidence of a second attack was seen on the video of the incident. After asking the facility risk manager to identify the second assault, she stated that it was not cooperating when staff tried to remove her from the seclusion room, where she was sitting calmly and quietly. Considering these facts, we do not feel this incident should’ve resulted in a second call to the police and the arrest of the resident.

Licensing Specialist: Chelsea Vardell

Licensing visited the facility with OLTC (Office of Long Term Care) in response to the complaint. Licensing reviewed the facility restraint log, the resident’s file, staff personnel file, and the facility restraint policy, along with video footage, the police report and 911 call.

The following were issues and concerns identified during the review: No physician’s orders for 7 physical restraints and 1 seclusion; No restraint justification packet for two physical restraints and two seclusions; One physical restraint and seclusion order not listed on the facility restraint log; Staff member’s last training on the facility’s restraint policy was on 12/6/2023 while she was a contract nurse. She was hired as a full time staff member in July 2024. The facility policy is to train staff at the time of hire and every six months afterward; Review of video shows resident sitting calmly for 17 minutes before receiving a chemical restraint.

The facility will be cited for: 905.12: Physical restraint and Seclusion can only be used if ordered by a physician; 905.17: Documentation of all restraints shall be maintained; 905.10: Physical restraint was conducted on a resident who was in a seclusion room and not a danger to themselves, others, or property.

All staff should be retrained on the facility restraint policy. Staff must be retrained on Handle With Care by 9/6/24.

PRLU or OLTC

Aggressive Behavior, JDC, Notice of Incident

Resident was escorted to the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) by Springdale Police Department for assaulting a Nurse.

On 6/22/24, the resident was uncooperative and aggressive during a transition back to her unit. She tried to elope off the unit and attacked a nurse, punching her with a closed fist in the face, back, and chest. The nurse went to the Springdale Police Department to press charges. Three officers from the Police Department arrived and issued a warning to the resident. Shortly after officers left, the resident assaulted staff again. Officers were called back and escorted the resident to JDC

Police Report

Disturbance, Police Report

Officers were dispatched to the facility in regards to a 911 hang-up call. No signs of disturbance at the facility. False alarm.

Police Report

Disturbance, Police Report

Officers were called to Perimeter Ozarks in regards to a resident assaulting staff members.

Police Report

Assault, Police Report

Officers responded to Perimeter Ozarks regarding a report that a staff member had been attacked by a resident. Officers issued a citation and a warning to the resident about her behavior.

Approximately 15 minutes after leaving the facility, officers were called back to Perimeter Ozarks regarding the same resident assaulting more staff members. Officers arrested the resident and transported her to the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

Police Report

Police Report, Sex Offence

Officers were called to Perimeter Ozarks on a report of sexual assault/forcible fondling.

A resident reported that she awoke to her roommate assaulting her. The roommate reported that the incident did happen, but she was the one who had been assaulted.

The report was investigated and closed as inactive. No charges were filed.

Police Report

911 Hang Up, Police Report

Abandoned 911 call from Perimeter Ozarks. No signs of distress. False Alarm

Police Report

911 Hang Up, Police Report

Abandoned 911 call from Perimeter Ozarks. No signs of distress. False Alarm

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Sexual Contact, Visit Compliance Report

A resident reported that two residents were fingering each other in their bedroom while another resident watched out for staff. Both residents were interviewed, and each denied the incident occurred. Residents have been separated with each sleeping in a different unit.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

A visit to the facility was conducted. Video footage was not reviewed because both residents denied the incident happened, and a time and location could not be determined. Q15 bed check information and video footage were reviewed for supervision and bed check compliance.

PRLU or OLTC

Forced Sexual Contact, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Client reported that her roommate woke her up in the middle of the night and allegedly fingered her while sitting on top of her.

An interview with the accused peer provided the following details. The peer stated that the incident did occur, but she was the victim. She reported that she woke up in the middle of the night with the client on top of her, touching her breast and trying to touch her butt. The peer stated she did not tell anyone out of fear. Both individuals alleged they told the other resident to stop, and neither did.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

A visit to the facility was conducted to review camera footage for nightly bed checks for the date provided in the report.

This complaint has been UNFOUNDED by Licensing.

PRLU or OLTC

Medical, Notice of Incident

6/14/24: Resident told the nursing staff that her heart was racing and she felt pressure on her chest. After a consultation with her provider, an order was made to have her assessed at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Emergency Room. An EKG, chest x-ray and lab work were ordered.

Diagnosis: Anxiety attack. EKG, chest x-ray, and lab work came back within normal limits.

Police Report

Peer Sexual Contact, Police Report

6/12/24: A Child Abuse report was received from the Arkansas State Police. Officers met with investigators at Perimeter of the Ozarks, where the alleged victim was interviewed. Officers reviewed video footage of the incidents. There was nothing visible in the videos to corroborate the victim’s statement.

There is insufficient evidence to develop probable cause to arrest for either incident.

PRLU or OLTC

Forced Sexual Contact, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Grievance Form #1: Resident reports that a peer forced her to touch his private areas and kiss him.

Grievance Form #2: Resident reports that a peer forced the resident to kiss her. The report also states the the peer touches the resident despite being asked to stop.

Licensing Specialist (LS): Jarred Parnell

6/12/24 – LS Parnell visited the facility to review video footage. Footage was reviewed for both reported incidents. In each video, the resident is off camera in her bedroom. Both peers are viewed in the doorway of the resident’s bedroom. It is unclear from the footage if either peer engaged in non-consensual physical contact with the resident.

The process for grievances was discussed with facility staff. The director of risk was out of the office for several days and the grievances were not addressed until they returned.

Technical Assistance for 901.4 was provided to the facility. The facility will designated a back up staff member to review resident grievances when the director of risk is unavailable.

This complaint has been UNFOUNDED by Licensing.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Visit Compliance Report

5/31/2024 – Resident reported that she had swallowed a battery. The battery was taken from a clock on the unit.

Actions Taken: The resident was assessed by nursing, and then evaluated at the local Emergency Room, where she received an x-ray. The medical staff at the ER instructed the resident to return if she did not pass the battery in 48 hours.

On 6/2/2024, the resident returned to the ER, because the battery had not passed. There she received bloodwork and imaging. She returned to the facility instructed to continue monitoring. Resident was placed on suicide precautions.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

6/13/24 – LS Parnell visited the facility to review the incident with facility staff. All items with batteries have been removed from the units. TV remotes will be handled only by staff.

Police Report

Fire Alarm, Police Report

Fire alarm. Facility is performing a fire drill.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Sexual Contact, Visit Compliance Report

5/26/24 – Resident reported to staff that she had sex with a peer in their bedroom. The resident stated that she had reported the incident to her therapist mid-month. The residents were moved to separate units and an investigation was opened.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

6/18/24 – Q15 bed check logs were reviewed by Licensing. Facility reported that the therapist the resident initially told about the incident is no longer employed by the facility.

7/10/24 – LS Parnell visited the facility to review information about the incident.

Facility cited 110.9A: Any owner, operator, employee, foster parent, or volunteer in a child welfare agency shall immediately notify the Child Abuse Hotline if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to child maltreatment

This complaint has been determined to be UNFOUNDED by Licensing.

Police Report

Police Report, Self-Harm

Called to Perimeter Ozarks for a child that ate some laundry detergent with bleach.

Squad took her to children hospital. She said she wanted to hurt herself. She is in in-house treatment.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm, Visit Compliance Report

5/22/24 – A visit was conducted at the facility to review video footage for the incident on 5/21/2024 – 7:49 am – 8:12 am. Video footage observed during visit showed a resident was left unsupervised in the milieu and was able to access the laundry room where she was able to hide and remain unsupervised for 14 minutes.

Resident may have ingested laundry detergent. It is not clear whether she did, as the toxicology report did not show abnormalities. Medical report uploaded to ELS.

Incident was staffed with program coordinator K. Rice.

The facility was cited for 907.2 for not supervising the resident and ensuring she returned to the unit. 521 inspection report sent to facility for signature.

5/23/2024 – 521 inspection report signed and returned. Staff will be retrained for supervision, follow up with facility 5/29/2024 for proof of training.

6/13/2024 – Proof of training request from facility

Police Report

911 Hang Up, Police Report

Hang up call from Perimeter Ozarks. Caller advised it was a pocket dial.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Visit Compliance Report

During class, resident did an unprompted assault on her peer. Resident was immediately separated from peer but continued to be assaultive and uncooperative. Resident was put in a physical restraint.

Additionally, when staff separated the two residents, another peer ran over and attacked the assaulted resident, repeatedly hitting her in the face, causing a large hematoma above the right eye. When staff intervened, resident continued to attack peer and staff.

After the incident, resident was observed to have swollen knuckles but refused ice. Resident was treated with Tylenol and an icepack and escorted to the ER for evaluation; returned with no further orders or care.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

5/22/2024- A visit was conducted to review video footage of the incident. Staff intervene and restrain residents during the altercation. No citations.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Sexual Contact

On 04/26/24, a resident reported to the lead Mental Health Technician that on 04/25/24 at 21:00 pm while in a resident room with two others, she was held down by peer and kissed against her will. Corrective Action: Residents were separated. Residents were placed on Sexual Misconduct Precautions, which includes increased observation.

Licensing Specialist spoke to facility staff who stated the alleged incident occurred in a bedroom where there is no video footage available. The report was not accepted by the hotline. Licensing specialist will follow up with facility and request bed check logs for the date of the alleged incident.

The facility substantiated their investigation due to statements from the residents involved.